After Hawthorn’s 12-point win over Adelaide on Friday night, hawthornfc.com.au highlights five points to take out of the game.

1. A big win for Hawthorn’s season
Friday night’s victory was massive in the context of Hawthorn’s season, particularly after suffering a shock loss to the Kangaroos the week before.

The Hawks have big games against Sydney, Fremantle, Geelong and Collingwood in the next six weeks – it’s probably the toughest run home of any side fighting for a top four spot so that win away from home at a hostile Adelaide Oval was huge.

The Crows were fired up and had set themselves for another big crack at a top side and they attacked the game in that way.

Alastair Clarkson would have been thrilled with the response from his team to the loss the week before and their ability to absorb the Adelaide pressure and come away with a big win the context of the season.

Hawthorn did slip into third position, however, after Fremantle’s big jump in percentage thanks to their win over GWS but a loss would have put the Hawks in danger of slipping out of the top four.

2. Hawks play for each other

In the loss to North Melbourne, Hawthorn by admission lost their way in the third quarter – it was an uncharacteristic performance from a team who pride themselves on doing the little things to help the team.

On Friday night, the Hawks re-captured the spirit and sacrifice that has made them such a good team over the last two or three years.

That fact is made evident by the number of time a Hawthorn player effected a smother or a block on Adelaide play – those one percenters are always the signs coaches look for to measure the dedication and intensity of their players and that was the difference between the Hawks and Crows on Friday night.

At one stage, Hawthorn had 12 smothers to Adelaide’s five – a stat that would have pleased Clarkson no end.

That pressure allowed the Hawks to lock the footy inside their forward 50 for over 10 minutes after the Crows got in front thanks to a Josh Jenkins goal at the 15-minute mark of the third term.

The Crows threatened to pile on scores but each of Hawthorn’s players dug in and was committed to the task at hand and that was the difference in an otherwise even contest.

Hawthorn had 56 one percenters for the game, Adelaide had 49. Jarryd Roughead had a game-high 10 tackles, Liam Shiels had nine and Sam Mitchell seven.

The Hawks were on Adelaide's hammer all night.

3. Litherland’s best performance
Young defender Angus Litherland might have just sewn up a spot in Hawthorn’s team for the rest of the season after another brilliant shut down performance on the dangerous Eddie Betts.

It was a big task for Litherland in just his 10^th AFL game, to play on one of the best small forwards in the game who was playing his 200^th league match.

Betts had kicked 15 goals in the last month leading into Friday night’s clash but Litherland completely blanketed him, not affording him any space.

The Crows forward finished with just one goal from seven disposals, while Litherland was also vital in creating offensive drive off half-back for the Hawks.

He finished with 14 disposals at 85.7 per cent efficiency and perhaps a permanent place in Hawthorn’s defence.

This image sums up the Litherland v Betts match-up pretty well.

4. The return of McEvoy
Ben McEvoy reminded the Hawks why his acquisition was a recruiting coup on Friday night.

The former St Kilda ruckman was one of Hawthorn’s best against the Crows as an effective ruckman/forward.

He was dangerous inside 50 all night, with his marking ability in the air and capability to back up on the ground proving a handful for the Crows.

McEvoy finished with 24 hit outs, 15 disposals, four marks, three clearances and two goals in a solid performance for the Hawks in his first senior game since Round 10.

No doubt he will be better for the run.

5. No second-up blues for Mitchell
Sam Mitchell said he was better for the run in last Friday night’s loss and he meant it.

The dual premiership midfielder was outstanding against the Crows, fighting off the dreaded “second-up struggle” after returning from a long injury layoff.

While some players can struggle to get back into the swing and rigors of senior footy, Mitchell showed no signs of soreness as he powered to arguably a best on ground performance.

He finished with a team-high 28 disposals, eight tackles, three clearances, three inside 50s and a goal assist.

No doubt Clarkson and his teammates are happy to have the four-time best and fairest winner back and playing the footy we all know he’s capable of.