Ben Stratton
A Hawthorn-Adelaide match-up guarantees one thing: Ben Stratton’s magnet is placed alongside Eddie Betts’. Betts’ glittering Crows career has few glitches. But, while he has averaged 2.5 goals per game over 111 outings for the Crows, his seven meetings with the Hawks have brought him only 10 majors. Stratton is the primary explanation for the three-time All Australian’s lesser production against the Hawks. The 2018 season saw Betts finish with his lowest goal per game average since moving to South Australia. But the 32-year old showed form throughout his two JLT Series appearances, kicking five goals. Be sure to keep an eye on this match-up.
Ricky Henderson
Henderson has been a somewhat unheralded recruit since the Hawks took him on board at the start of the 2017 season. Henderson has played 40 games in the brown and gold now, averaging 21 disposals per game over that journey whilst playing a variety of roles. One match-up that the 30-year-old seems to always prime himself for is against Adelaide. His 23.3-disposal average against the Crows over three encounters is over three touches greater than his next highest against an opposition side. Here’s hoping Henderson can emulate his 30-possession, two-goal, three Brownlow vote performance against the Crows at Adelaide Oval in 2017.
Jack Scrimshaw
Five months after crossing from the Gold Coast Suns, Jack Scrimshaw will make his debut in Hawthorn colours against the Crows on Saturday. With a penetrating left-foot kick and an ability to play in a number of roles, Scrimshaw will have many Hawks fans’ eyes on him this weekend. A life-long Hawthorn supporter, the 20-year-old has forced his way into the season opener team after an impressive summer saw him among the best players in both JLT Series games.
Tom Lynch
Similar to Betts, the 2018 season saw a dip in Tom Lynch’s scoring production, as he averaged less than a goal per game for the first time in three years. Lynch is a barometer for the Crows, with his best form so often coinciding with the Crows’. The 28-year-old missed the clash with the Hawks last year, but, in 2017, he ran rampant against the Hawks, averaging 27.5 disposals, 10.5 marks and a goal in the sides’ two meetings.
Rory Laird
An All Australian in each of the past two years, Rory Laird is a star of the competition. Laird was the only player in the league last season to average over 28 touches with at least a 76% disposal efficiency (32.2 disposals at 77.6%). The 25-year-old has made a habit of cutting through opposition defences as the Crows primary ball-user out of their defensive half. Interestingly though, while Laird has averaged 29.7 disposals per game over his last three seasons, he has managed just 23.3 disposals over his last three clashes with the Hawks.
