Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson looks ahead to Tasmanian AFL return

Almost exactly two decades after the Hawks defeated Adelaide in front of 17,460 spectators at what was then called York Park, they will hope the same opponent will provide their 50^th victory at the venue.

Clarkson, whose 373-game coaching career began just four years after that 2001 encounter, reflected on his team's 49 wins and one draw from their 64 matches in Launceston.

The 52-year-old four-time premiership-winner, who is also the AFL's longest-serving current coach, said he was looking forward to Launceston's first AFL roster game in 638 days as UTAS Stadium returns to the national stage in the aftermath of last season's COVID cancellations.

Second-bottom with a 1-4 record, Hawthorn will take on an Adelaide side which claimed last year's wooden spoon but is 3-2 for 2021 and is making its first visit to Launceston since 2010.

Hawthorn's latest deal with the Tasmanian Government expires at the end of this season.

"What an exciting time it's been both for our footy club and the people of Tasmania," Clarkson said.

"Thanks for the memories Tassie and can't wait for many more."

Scheduled as a curtain-raiser to the Collingwood-Essendon blockbuster at the MCG, the Hawks and Crows will play for the Alec Campbell in honour of the world's last Gallipoli survivor. Campbell was born and raised in Launceston and served during the First World War from July 1915 to August 1916.

"The fondest memory of going to Tassie is we've got such a good record down there, we just win games of footy," Clarkson said.

"We've been able to adopt Tassie as our second home. We get down there five times a year and enjoy having another group of supporters support our club.

"And I think we've probably won 70 per cent of our games since we've been going down there."

"Probably the most significant memory for mine given his service to our footy club.

"We played the Brisbane Lions in 2008 and Crawf was having a lot of trouble with patella tendonitis. He was on about 292 games and we were just wondering whether he was going to get to the 300 let alone a grand final victory which was his 305th.

"It was a pretty special day and he kicked a goal very late in the game that was celebrated by all and sundry and we had a good win by about six or eight goals."

"It probably goes without saying that Grant Birchall has always played well in Tassie. He's a Devonport boy and was always a great excitement for him to go back home and play his footy. That was pretty special and I always knew that he was going to play well when we went there."

"The most significant ritual for me and a couple of the other coaches and players is just getting up into the Gorge, particularly on a crisp Saturday or Sunday morning. It gets your senses wary of what life is like in the bush and you feel like getting back to nature."