As with most games with a single-digit margin, Hawthorn's four-point victory over Essendon at the MCG on Saturday was a game of inches.

The Hawks recorded two more clearances, two more marks inside 50 and four more hit-outs than the Dons on the day - the little wins that contributed towards an all-important four points for Alastair Clarkson's side.

One area where the Hawks were able to create a more noticeable discrepancy was in their superior inside 50 count, registering 59 entries to the Bombers' 49.

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Generating forward 50 entries has been a strength of the Hawks this year, ranking third for average inside 50s and fourth for marks inside 50 per game.

But, more specifically, it's been Hawthorn's ability to manufacture these scoring opportunities relative to their opposition that has figured so highly in 2018.

Across their 19 games this season, the Hawks have won the inside 50 count by an average of ten entries, a discrepancy which ranks them second in the competition behind only Melbourne. 

This strength of the Hawks' comes through their ability to generate these opportunities through a range of players with nine Hawks averaging at least three inside 50s per game this season (Tom Mitchell (5.2 entries per game), Liam Shiels (4.1), Jarman Impey (3.5), James Sicily (3.4), Ricky Henderson (3.3), Jack Gunston (3.3), Jaeger O'Meara (3.2), James Worpel (3.2) and Luke Breust (3)). 

The Hawks are on track to have their most inside 50s in a home and away season since season 2012.