[&lt;a href="//storify.com/AFL_official/738533082156bb2dc4fd2ca934243b09" target="_blank"&gt;View the story "Photo essay: Behind the scenes with the Hawks in the week they won the three-peat" on Storify&lt;/a&gt;]&lt;h1&gt;Photo essay: Behind the scenes with the Hawks in the week they won the three-peat&lt;/h1&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;p&gt;Storified by &lt;a href="https://storify.com/AFL_official"&gt;AFL&lt;/a&gt;&amp;middot; Tue, Oct 06 2015 06:40:43 &lt;/p&gt;&lt;div&gt;During Grand Final week, award-winning AFL Media photographer Michael Willson was once again granted exclusive access into the Hawks&amp;apos; inner sanctum. With no area off limits, his remarkable candid photos capture the players, coaches and staff as they prepared to win the first premiership three-peat in the club&amp;#x2019;s history.&lt;b&gt; (All photos: Michael Willson - Hawthorn FC / AFL Media)&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;AFL&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;b&gt;Perth Airport - Friday September 25, 2015 - 10:49pm&lt;/b&gt;: Cyril Rioli and Billy Hartung wait for their flight after defeating the Fremantle Dockers. &lt;i&gt;(01/50)&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;AFL&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;b&gt;10:51pm:&lt;/b&gt; Luke Hodge makes a phone call before departure. &lt;i&gt;(02/50)&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;AFL&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;b&gt;Ricoh Centre, Melbourne - Monday September 28, 2015 - 11:03am:&lt;/b&gt; Players share a discussion in the weekly leaders&amp;apos; meeting. &lt;i&gt;(03/50)&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;AFL&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;b&gt;11:05am:&lt;/b&gt; Alastair Clarkson, Chris Fagan and the leaders plot the week ahead. &lt;i&gt;(04/50)&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;AFL&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;b&gt;11:28am:&lt;/b&gt; In preparation for Saturday&amp;apos;s Grand Final, Property Steward Kenny Freiberg sorts the players jumpers. &lt;i&gt;(05/50)&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;AFL&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;b&gt;1:45pm:&lt;/b&gt; Cyril Rioli and Brian Lake&amp;apos;s daughter Miley shape up in an impromptu boxing session before training. &lt;i&gt;(06/50)&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;AFL&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;b&gt;1:49pm:&lt;/b&gt; Josh Gibson and Brian Lake&amp;apos;s son Cohen share a lighter moment. &lt;i&gt;(07/50)&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;AFL&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;b&gt;1: 57pm:&lt;/b&gt; All eyes were on Jack Gunston&amp;#x2019;s fitness battle after he missed two finals with an ankle injury. The star forward ramped up his training by running on the anti-gravity treadmill. &lt;i&gt;(08/50)&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;AFL&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;b&gt;2:02pm:&lt;/b&gt; Alastair Clarkson and head of fitness Andrew Russell discuss Jack Gunston&amp;#x2019;s recovery from his ankle injury. &lt;i&gt;(09/50)&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;AFL&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;b&gt;2:28pm:&lt;/b&gt; Alastair Clarkson and his players hit the track for the first time in the lead-up to the Grand Final. &lt;i&gt;(10/50)&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;AFL&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;b&gt;Ricoh Centre, Melbourne - Tuesday September 29, 2015 - 11:05am: &lt;/b&gt;A pensive Jack Gunston looks on before training. &lt;i&gt;(11/50)&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;AFL&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;b&gt;11:07am:&lt;/b&gt; Ben Stratton and Bradley Hill cheer on teammates during a game of basketball before training. &lt;i&gt;(12/50)&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;AFL&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;b&gt;11:08am:&lt;/b&gt; Six weeks after the tragic death of his son, Brett Ratten participates in a basketball match against players. &lt;i&gt;(13/50)&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;AFL&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;b&gt;12:25pm:&lt;/b&gt; Alastair Clarkson flicks through Tuesday&amp;#x2019;s newspaper. &lt;i&gt;(14/50)&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;AFL&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;b&gt;12:32pm:&lt;/b&gt; After a cancer scare earlier in the year, Jarryd Roughead looks out over Waverley Park ahead of his 5th Grand Final. &lt;i&gt;(15/50)&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;AFL&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;b&gt;12:43pm:&lt;/b&gt; Ben Stratton drinks a cup of instant coffee before his weights session. &lt;i&gt;(16/50)&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;AFL&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;b&gt;12:47pm:&lt;/b&gt; As debate raged about his position in the team, Ryan Schoenmakers stayed focused on his weekly routine. &lt;i&gt;(17/50)&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;AFL&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;b&gt;1:42pm:&lt;/b&gt; After a long season, Luke Hodge prepares for the last match of 2015. &lt;i&gt;(18/50)&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;AFL&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;b&gt;Richmond, Melbourne - Wednesday September 30, 2015 - 4:13pm: &lt;/b&gt;Isaac Smith, Taylor Duryea, James Frawley and Matthew Suckling enjoy their day off, taking their dogs out to a Richmond park. &lt;i&gt;(19/50)&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;AFL&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;b&gt;4:19pm:&lt;/b&gt; James Frawley laughs as his dog Frankie investigates the camera. &lt;i&gt;(20/50)&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;AFL&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;b&gt;Ricoh Centre, Melbourne - Thursday October 01, 2015 - 5:55am: &lt;/b&gt;The sun rises over the Sir Kenneth Luke Stand the morning of the team&amp;apos;s open training session. &lt;i&gt;(21/50)&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;AFL&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;b&gt;8:09am: &lt;/b&gt;Alastair Clarkson in deep discussion during the match committee meeting. &lt;i&gt;(22/50)&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;AFL&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;b&gt;8:10am: &lt;/b&gt;Alastair Clarkson and football manager Chris Fagan seek the advice of head of fitness Andrew Russell during the match committee meeting. &lt;i&gt;(23/50)&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;AFL&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;b&gt;8:40am:&lt;/b&gt; Sam Mitchell analyses the West Coast Eagles&amp;#x2019; centre bounce setup. &lt;i&gt;(24/50)&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;AFL&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;b&gt;9:10am:&lt;/b&gt; Cyril Rioli and Shaun Burgoyne arrive before open training as Sam Mitchell sorts Grand Final tickets. &lt;i&gt;(25/50)&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;AFL&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;b&gt;11:11am&lt;/b&gt; Veteran defender Brian Lake offers some advice (and a toasted sandwich) to Grand Final debutant James Frawley. &lt;i&gt;(26/50)&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;AFL&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;b&gt;11:15am:&lt;/b&gt; Alastair Clarkson takes control of the team meeting before the open training session. &lt;i&gt;(27/50)&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;AFL&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;b&gt;11:16am:&lt;/b&gt; Alastair Clarkson addresses the players during the team meeting. &lt;i&gt;(28/50)&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;AFL&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;b&gt;12:48pm:&lt;/b&gt; James Frawley marks as a huge crowd watches on at the team&amp;apos;s open training session. &lt;i&gt;(29/50)&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;AFL&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;b&gt;1:27pm:&lt;/b&gt; Alastair Clarkson seeks out Luke Hodge for a chat before the final match committee meeting. &lt;i&gt;(30/50)&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;AFL&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;b&gt;2:38pm:&lt;/b&gt; Matt Suckling, Jack Gunston, Matt Spangher, Ryan Schoenmakers and Isaac Smith relax in the spa after training. &lt;i&gt;(31/50)&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;AFL&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;b&gt;Old Treasury Building, Melbourne - Friday October 02, 2015 - 11:23am: &lt;/b&gt;Sam Mitchell applies some sunscreen to his son Smith&amp;apos;s face before the Grand Final Parade. &lt;i&gt;(32/50)&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;AFL&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;b&gt;11:30am:&lt;/b&gt; Billy Hartung sits in quiet contemplation as his teammates wait for the Grand Final Parade to begin. (&lt;i&gt;33/50)&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;AFL&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;b&gt;MCG, Melbourne - Saturday October 03, 2015 - 12:34pm: &lt;/b&gt;James Frawley has a moment to himself in the rooms prior to the Grand Final. &lt;i&gt;(34/50)&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;AFL&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;b&gt;12:41pm:&lt;/b&gt; Ben Stratton listens to music in the rooms prior to the warm-up. &lt;i&gt;(35/50)&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;AFL&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;b&gt;2:28pm:&lt;/b&gt; Luke Hodge wins the coin toss moments before the Grand Final begins. &lt;i&gt;(36/50)&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;AFL&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;b&gt;2:33pm:&lt;/b&gt; Norm Smith medallist Cyril Rioli celebrates after kicking the team&amp;#x2019;s first goal. &lt;i&gt;(37/50)&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;AFL&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;b&gt;4:20pm:&lt;/b&gt; Jack Gunston left no doubts about his fitness by kicking four goals. &lt;i&gt;(38/50)&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;AFL&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;b&gt;5:06pm:&lt;/b&gt; Sam Mitchell and Jordan Lewis celebrate as the final siren sounds to signal the club&amp;#x2019;s first three-peat. &lt;i&gt;(39/50)&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;AFL&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;b&gt;5:13pm:&lt;/b&gt; Jordan Lewis holds 6 day old son Freddie during the medal presentation. &lt;i&gt;(40/50)&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;AFL&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;b&gt;5:16pm:&lt;/b&gt; Luke Hodge holds the notes to his speech before taking to the podium. &lt;i&gt;(41/50)&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;AFL&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;b&gt;5:17pm:&lt;/b&gt; Sam Mitchell receives a kiss from daughter Scarlett during the lap of honour. &lt;i&gt;(42/50)&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;AFL&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;b&gt;6:06pm:&lt;/b&gt; Jordan Lewis unwinds in the rooms after winning his 4th premiership. &lt;i&gt;(43/50)&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;AFL&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;b&gt;6:14pm: &lt;/b&gt;Luke Hodge with the 2013, 2014 and 2015 premiership cups. &lt;i&gt;(44/50)&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;AFL&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;b&gt;6:37pm:&lt;/b&gt; An exhausted Sam Mitchell waits for the team meeting to begin. (&lt;i&gt;45/50)&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;AFL&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;b&gt;6:50pm:&lt;/b&gt; An ecstatic Alastair Clarkson celebrates with jubilant players and support staff in the team meeting. &lt;i&gt;(46/50)&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;AFL&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;b&gt;7:04pm:&lt;/b&gt; After the hottest Grand Final on record, Taylor Duryea soaks in a bath. &lt;i&gt;(47/50)&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;AFL&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;b&gt;7:05pm:&lt;/b&gt; Isaac Smith checks his messages after starring against the Eagles. &lt;i&gt;(48/50)&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;AFL&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;b&gt;7:55pm:&lt;/b&gt; Alastair Clarkson chats with his lieutenants Luke Hodge and Sam Mitchell after they were presented to the adoring Hawks fans at the MCG. &lt;i&gt;(49/50)&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;AFL&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;b&gt;8:13pm:&lt;/b&gt; Job done - Alastair Clarkson and his leaders with the holy grail. &lt;i&gt;(50/50)&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Follow Michael Willson on Instagram and Twitter: @michaelcwillson&lt;/div&gt;