Adelaide Crows vs Hawthorn Hawks: Hawks humble Crows at home

Match result:

Hawthorn have continued their excellent record against the Crows, winning by 32 points at Adelaide Oval in their opening game of the season.

Alastair Clarkson’s men were thoroughly disciplined and organised in defence, holding the vaunted Adelaide forward line to just seven goals at their home ground.

It was a scrappy opening to the game with both sides looking rusty early, in particular Adelaide, who dominated possession but simply couldn’t find targets in the forward line. Hawthorn were more effective and held a narrow eight-point lead at the first change.

The standard improved greatly in the second quarter as the game opened up, both sides hitting more targets and showing much more ruthlessness in front of goal.

Tellingly – and perhaps surprisingly – Hawthorn were able to break even with the highly rated Adelaide midfield. In the absence of Tom Mitchell, youngster James Worpel stepped up with an excellent first half.

As a result, the visitors were able to goal for goal in an entertaining second term, and maintain that narrow lead at half time.

After the half time break, the Hawks showed their true capacity to take control of a game, completely blanketing Adelaide’s attacking efforts, and repeatedly forcing turnovers in the Crows’ back half.

Several goals from turnovers for Hawthorn, while conceding no majors at the other end, ensured a substantial 32 point lead by three-quarter time.

It seemed as though that defensive intensity might not be maintained late in the game, as the Crows made a brief surge; several chances were missed to bring the margin within three goals.

But Hawthorn steadied with late majors to O’Meara and Cousins, and the margin of 32 points reflected the level of control that the visitors truthfully enjoyed.

Cousins and Shiels had solid games for the Hawks, but the stars in the midfield were O’Meara and James Worpel, who both had disposal counts in the high 20s and two goals each.

James Sicily though was surely best on ground with 26 touches, 10 marks, and 15 rebounds 50s, sweeping across half back and setting up counterattacking plays.

For Adelaide, Sloane and Matt Crouch were prolific with 36 and 39 touches. Alex Keath was excellent in defence.

But the Crows lacked direct, incisive ball users and any real winners up forward. Walker, Jenkins and Lynch all had duck eggs in the goals columns. Betts had two but both from close range.

Further compounding the home teams woes were injuries to Tom Doedee and Richard Douglas, the former with a suspected ACL, the latter appearing on crutches after the final siren.

But the big story has to be the performance of the Hawks. Written off by many as real premiership threats in 2019, they reminded us all what’s made them such a strong team over the last few years.

Final score
Adelaide Crows 7.13.55
Hawthorn Hawks 12.15.87

Match preview:

Two of the AFL’s biggest clubs get their 2019 season underway as the Adelaide Crows host the Hawthorn Hawks at the Adelaide Oval. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog from 4:35pm AEDT (4:05pm ACDT).

After a greatly disappointing 2018, the Crows have been widely tipped to hit back hard this year.

By contrast, despite finishing the home and away season in fourth, Hawthorn, have been discounted by many as serious contenders.

In large part that’s due to the season-long absence of Tom Mitchell, reigning Brownlow Medallist and the lynchpin of the Hawks’ midfield.

And it’s true that the visitors’ midfield looks a bit thin today, with Jaeger O’Meara and Liam Shiels the only genuine proven ball-winners.

On the other hand, the Crows appear to be pretty close to full strength this afternoon, or at least closer than they were at any point last season.

With Rory Sloane, Bryce Gibbs and the Crouch brothers driving the midfield they appear to have a decided advantage there.

The Hawks do look strong in the forward line, with Jack Gunston, Luke Bruest, Jarryd Roughead and Paul Puopolo boasting a swag of career goals – not to mention premierships – between them.

James Sicily has also been named in that part of the ground, suggesting real attacking intent from Alastair Clarkson’s men.

Not to be outdone, Adelaide also boast an experienced and potent forwardline, with Taylor Walker, Eddie Betts, Josh Jenkins and Tom T Lynch the standouts.

In terms of blunting the opposition’s attack, on paper it appears the home team have an advantage here, with Daniel Talia, Tom Doedee, Jake Kelly and Rory Laird making up the core of a solid backline.

Prediction
Hawthorn have an excellent record in recent years against the Crows; Adelaide have won just one of the last ten of these encounters, and lost all three games against the Hawks at the Adelaide Oval.

But the Crows go in with a more experienced and proven side, and fewer question marks in key parts of the ground.

I expect the home team to get up today in front of an expectant crowd.

Adelaide by 18 points

Last five games
Round 13, 16 Jun 2018, MCG, Hawthorn defeats Adelaide 88-32
Round 14, 22 Jun 2017, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide defeated by Hawthorn 82-96
Round 2, 1 Apr 2017, MCG, Hawthorn defeated by Adelaide 89-113
Round 5, 22 Apr 2016, MCG, Hawthorn defeats Adelaide 112-109
Semi Final, 18 Sep 2015, MCG, Hawthorn defeats Adelaide 135-61

Adelaide Crows
B Jake Kelly, Daniel Talia, Tom Doedee
HB Rory Laird, Alex Keath, David Mackay
C Wayne Milera, Matt Crouch, Brodie Smith
HF Tom Lynch, Taylor Walker, Chayce Jones
F Lachlan Murphy, Josh Jenkins, Eddie Betts
FOL Sam Jacobs, Rory Sloane, Bryce Gibbs
I/C Brad Crouch, Riley Knight, Rory Atkins, Richard Douglas

Hawthorn Hawks
B Blake Hardwick, James Frawley, Jarman Impey
HB Shaun Burgoyne, David Mirra, Ben Stratton
C Harry Morrison, Liam Shiels, Isaac Smith
HF Jarryd Roughead, Conor Nash, James Sicily
F Luke Breust, Jack Gunston, Paul Puopolo
FOL Ben McEvoy, James Worpel, Jaeger O’Meara
I/C Jack Scrimshaw, Ricky Henderson, Jonathon Ceglar, James Cousins