HAWTHORN has continued its recent dominance of Adelaide, recording a 32-point win at Adelaide Oval on Saturday.
The Hawks set up the 12.15 (87) to 7.13 (55) victory after half-time, kicking 3.7 to 0.2 in the third quarter.
Inflicting more pain for Adelaide was the loss of Tom Doedee in an innocuous incident; it’s feared the Adelaide defender ruptured the ACL in his left knee while trying to tackle Jarryd Roughead early in the second quarter. And in the final term veteran midfielder Richard Douglas hopped off the field with a right ankle injury.
The home side found some run in the final term but there was little margin for errors and missed shots to Wayne Milera, Brodie Smith and Taylor Walker didn't help their cause.
Ruckman Ben McEvoy and Jaeger O'Meara kicked telling goals in the last quarter but were productive throughout while James Worpel finished with two goals and 27 possessions.
The visitors' defenders kept Adelaide's imposing forward line out of the game – James Sicily and James Frawley were influential, Jarman Impey’s leap and athleticism provided important rebound while new captain Ben Stratton gave Eddie Betts (two goals but only four disposals to three quarter time) little chance to spark the team and the crowd of 50,180.
Hawthorn has now won 11 of its past 12 against Don Pyke's men.
It was a disappointing start to 2019 for the Crows with the home side struggling to generate any free-flowing play and appearing too hesitant at times.
Rory Sloane led from the front in his first appearance as co-captain and Matt Crouch collected 39 disposals.
It was a big day for Chayce Jones, the No.9 draft pick, breaking into the Crows experienced line-up after an impressive JLT Series.
It took him nearly an hour to get a kick but when he did he made it count scoring the home side's fifth goal late in the second quarter.
And Brad Crouch got through his first AFL game since the 2017 Grand Final, the 25-year-old kicking two goals and collecting 28 touches.
ADELAIDE 1.2 5.4 5.6 7.13 (55)
HAWTHORN 2.4 6.7 9.14 12.15 (87)
GOALS
Adelaide: B.Crouch 2, Betts 2, Sloane, M.Crouch, Jones
Hawthorn: Cousins 2, Worpel 2, McEvoy 2, O'Meara 2, Gunston, Smith, Shiels, Breust
BEST
Hawthorn: Worpel, Sicily, McEvoy, O'Meara, Gunston, Hardwick, Stratton
Adelaide: Sloane, M.Crouch, Keath, B.Crouch
INJURIES
Hawthorn: Shiels (finger)
Adelaide: Doedee (knee), Douglas (ankle)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Foot, Chamberlain, Gianfagna
Official crowd: 50,180 at Adelaide Oval
More to come
