Hawthorn Coach Alastair Clarkson admits his coaching staff may have misinterpreted elements of North Melbourne's game-style, a mistake that likely contributed to the Kangaroos getting a jump on the Hawks in the first quarter on Sunday.
But the four-time premiership coach was ultimately able to steady the ship tactically and help deliver the Hawks their second win of the season after a few defensive alterations.
"North have been pretty fierce with their handball chains and their running game," Clarkson said.
"We probably over-prepared for that and they probably over-corrected the other way.
"So, on the back of that, we just needed to make some adjustments and once we're able to work out how we wanted to defend, I think we did that a lot better."
"To the credit of our players, they stuck at it.
"I think they thought to themselves, 'if we can just chip away and hang in there', we'll be OK.
"We didn't get ourselves in front until the third quarter but then weren't headed from there so that was pleasing."
