Photo essay: Up close and personal with the Hawks in Grand Final week

During Grand Final week, AFL Media photographer Michael Willson was granted exclusive access into the Hawks' inner sanctum. His remarkable candid photos capture the players, coaches and staff as they prepared to defend their premiership. (All photos: Michael Willson - Hawthorn FC / AFL Media)

Storified by AFL· Mon, Dec 01 2014 02:27:48

During Grand Final week, AFL Media photographer Michael Willson was granted exclusive access into the Hawks' inner sanctum. His remarkable candid photos capture the players, coaches and staff as they prepared to defend their premiership. (All photos: Michael Willson - Hawthorn FC / AFL Media)



Sunday, September 21: The morning after the Preliminary Final victory over Port Adelaide and Alastair Clarkson addresses the playing group in a team meeting before being politely interrupted by Brendon Bolton's son Ned.

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A moment of solitude as Alastair Clarkson works out in the gym on his own before a media session at the Ricoh Centre.

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Monday, September 22: In preparation for Saturday's Grand Final, Property Steward Kenny Freiberg hangs out the players jumpers at the Ricoh Centre.

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Alastair Clarkson, Chris Fagan and the leadership group share a discussion in the weekly leaders meeting.

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Alastair Clarkson and Luke Hodge share a discussion in the weekly leaders' meeting.

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Liam Shiels is assessed by club physio Bruce Connor.

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Jordan Lewis falls asleep during a massage on his corked thigh.

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Cyril Rioli shares a laugh with medicos in the treatment room.

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Tuesday, September 23: Bradley Hill pushes himself in a weights session at the Ricoh Centre.

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Head fitness Coach Andrew Russell reviews statistics from the preliminary final with the playing group.

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Bradley Hill and Josh Gibson listen in during a team meeting.

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Jarryd Roughead and Luke Hodge complete a brief touch session before training.

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David Hale walks laps in the pool as part of his recovery.

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Alastair Clarkson and Chris Fagan discuss the week's media commitments.

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Thursday, September 25: Property Steward Kenny Freiberg inspects the match day jumpers after the AFL Grand Final logo was applied.

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(L-R) Jack Gunston, Matthew Suckling, Kyle Cheney, Jonathan Simpkin and Ben Stratton chat in the locker room the morning of the team's final training session at the Ricoh Centre.

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Shaun Burgoyne (left) and Cyril Rioli (right) greet Jed Anderson and his son Elijah before the team's final training session.

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Josh Gibson looks on at the crowd gathering before the team's final training session.

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Alastair Clarkson addresses the players in a team meeting celebrating Luke Hodge's upcoming 250th match.

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Cyril Rioli waits as the match committee meeting is in progress.

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Sam Mitchell (left) and Brad Sewell (right) wait as the match committee meeting is in progress.

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Grant Birchall (left) and Luke Hodge (right) begin their ice bath recovery after training.

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Friday, September 26: Alastair Clarkson shares a laugh with his daughters Stephanie (left) and Georgia (right) before the Grand Final Parade at the Melbourne Arts Centre

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Brian Lake and daughter Miley relax before the Grand Final Parade.

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Sam Mitchell and his children enjoy the Grand Final Parade with Bradley Hill (left) down St Kilda Road.

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Saturday, September 27: Players line up for the national anthem before the Grand Final at the MCG.

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A bloodied Josh Gibson competes for the ball with Lance Franklin as Ben Stratton provides support as the Grand Final begins.

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Players celebrate with Will Langford after he snapped a goal from the boundary line.

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Ben Stratton (left) and Luke Hodge celebrate as the final siren sounds.

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Tears of joy as the moment overwhelms Taylor Duryea.

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Teammates rejoice as Matt Spangher makes his way to the dais to collect his premiership medallion.

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Alastair Clarkson leaves his team to celebrate on the dais.

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Ben Stratton recreates his snow angel of the 2013 premiership win.

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Will Langford takes a moment during the lap of honour.

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Alastair Clarkson kisses his daughter Georgia after the Grand Final at the MCG.

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Isaac Smith enjoys some pizza in the rooms after the game.

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Alastair Clarkson addresses the group during the team meeting after the match.

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Jarryd Roughead (left) and Josh Gibson embrace.

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Grant Birchall checks his messages.

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Brian Lake reaches for pizza.

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Players unwind in the locker room.

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Alastair Clarkson cracks open a beer after the players have vacated the locker room.

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(L-R) Matt Spangher, Luke Hodge and Liam Shiels look on as they are presented to the crowd after the Grand Final at the MCG.

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Alastair Clarkson and Luke Hodge share a laugh on the team bus after the Grand Final.

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Alastair Clarkson checks his messages on the team bus.

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