Stats are such a big deal in footy these days.
Fans will readily have their phones on them throughout games to help contextualise what they are seeing out on the ground.
But, as much as the numbers can illustrate the state of a match, they can also prove misleading at times.
Contested possessions and clearances are two statistical categories that are constantly referenced by football commentators.
In the Hawks' six wins so far in 2019, they are yet to record victories in neither the contested possessions nor the clearance counts.
The closest they have come is a break-even in clearances numbers with North Melbourne in the sides' clash in Round 3.
These are two categories where Hawthorn ranks second-last in on the season, with the loss of Tom Mitchell, who led the league in both areas last year, clearly compounding this.
The Hawks have won the contested possession count on just two occasions this year, against St Kilda in Round 4 and West Coast in Round 15, while they have bested their opposition's clearances numbers three times - against Melbourne, Geelong and Brisbane.
Interestingly, those three sides rank inside the top eight for clearances on the season.
Hawthorn Coach Alastair Clarkson has historically shown a lack of interest towards the contested possession statistic, but this nevertheless stands as an interesting element to regard, or even disregard, when judging a Hawthorn game.
