It’s difficult to find the statistic that explains Hawthorn’s 32-point win over Adelaide on Saturday.
The Crows had 73 more disposals, 11 more clearances, three more inside 50s and 18 more contested possessions than the Hawks.
There’s a reason they don’t play this game on paper.
But a closer look at the numbers, or rather lack of, reveals an incredible effort by the Hawthorn backline.
Of the Crows’ 2018 top nine goal kickers who played on Saturday, Eddie Betts was the only one to hit the scoreboard with two majors from his 10 possessions.
The club’s leading goal kicker last year Josh Jenkins finished goalless as did his teammates Taylor Walker, Tom Lynch, Richard Douglas, Rory Atkins, Bryce Gibbs, Lachlan Murphy and Riley Knight.
Instead, Adelaide was forced to rely on its midfield as a scoring source with Brad Crouch, Matt Crouch, Rory Sloane and debutant Chayce Jones combining for five of the Crows seven goals.
The three-pronged attack of Walker, Lynch and Jenkins is regarded as one of the Crows’ strengths, but, due to the dour defensive efforts of the Hawks backline, the trio were kept quiet.
