IN A GAME where his team dominated possession, Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson was buoyed by his side's ascendancy in the tackle count against Adelaide on Sunday night.

The Hawks beat Adelaide by 56 points, which, after back-to-back tough games against last year's grand finalists for one win, was a welcome victory.

The Hawks also proved the tougher unit, winning the tackle count 79 to 50 even after their hastily patched together ruck division worked its way into the game and gave their players first use. 

Broc McCauley was a late withdrawal with a stomach bug, which left David Hale and Jarryd Roughead to carry the big-man load.

Roughead, in his third game back from an Achilles injury, had the second most individual tackles afield with eight, behind only Liam Shiels (nine).

"That was pleasing," Clarkson said, of the lopsided tackle count.

"[Sam] Jacobs is a very good ruckman … he was giving them first supply [early in the game] and 'Roughy' and 'Haley' worked their way into the game.

"They're a tough, hard unit. [Patrick] Dangerfield is a very good player, [Scott] Thompson, [Rory] Sloane has become a very good player for them.

"Their in-and-under players gave them first look at the footy but we were really pleased we were able to compete and tackle well and force them into some errors that gave us some turnover opportunities."

The Hawks orchestrated a largely uncontested game, which Clarkson said had been the plan against a team in good form.

"We were just also mindful that if we could use the ball in a manner that we liked and could control the ball by foot, then it would make it more difficult," he said.

"I thought we did that better in the second half than we did in the first."

Clarkson said he was pleased Hawthorn played the way he wanted it to and was able to put away an opposition after two tough games, but still had improvement to make. 

The Hawks now face a trip to Patersons Stadium to play West Coast on Saturday night, who are coming off an 81-point win over Greater Western Sydney.

"They're coming off a fair victory and they've rested a couple of players, which is smart on their behalf," Clarkson said.

"They're a great side and very, very difficult to beat over there. We've had some great battles with West Coast over the journey and their tall players are a significant weapon for them.

"It's also the supply they get from their dominant midfield so we're going to have to play at our best to knock them off."

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs.

Jennifer Witham is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow her on Twitter @AFL_JenWitham