13 a winning number for Hawthorn in disciplined win over Adelaide
Hawthorn coach Alistair Clarkson was happy with his team's disciplined performance against Adelaide, with 13 goal kickers sharing the workload on the way to a 29-point win.
ADELAIDE 4.1 7.2 11.7 12.13 (85)
HAWTHORN 6.2 9.6 13.9 17.12 (114)
By MATTHEW BALMER
A disciplined Hawthorn remained in the hunt for a top four spot with a 29-point win over Adelaide.
Hawthorn displayed their forward line depth with 13 goal kickers – and that didn’t include Jarryd Roughead and Jack Gunston.
Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson was pleased with the win didn't need goals from the two key forwards.
“Gunston and Roughead have been such formidable players for us, to win the game without [their] significant scoreboard contribution is pleasing for us,” Clarkson said.
“Adelaide are a really challenging side to play against … to come over here and perform the way we did was really pleasing,” Clarkson said.
Luke Hodge was dominant as the seventh spare defender with 25 possessions including eight marks. Sam Mitchell also was important for the Hawks with nine clearances to go with his 25 possessions for the match.
The match was in Hawthorn’s control following three goals in three minutes in the final quarter, with Isaac Smith, Cyril Rioli and Luke Breust ensuring Hawthorn wouldn’t be overrun by a determined Adelaide.
Adelaide midfielders Patrick Dangerfield and Scott Thompson fought hard – finishing with 31 and 32 possessions respectively – however they weren’t able to influence the final result with Hawthorn’s midfield speed, led by Cyril Rioli and Bradley Hill, proving too quick for the Crows.
Adelaide coach Phil Walsh remained confident his group was good enough to play finals.
“We were a bit lucky still to be in the game at quarter time. We found our way back … the last quarter was extremely disappointing,” Walsh said.
“I’m still going to encourage our players to take risks,” Walsh said.
Adelaide captain Taylor Walker received a corked hip before half-time from a misdirected knee by Sam Mitchell. Walker returned gingerly after half time, however he received another knock to his thigh and was eventually subbed out at three-quarter-time.
“We thought we’d give him a chance … He really couldn’t apply pressure and chase,” Walsh said.
Hawthorn now find themselves in fifth spot with a home game at the MCG against Essendon next week, while Adelaide are now in eighth spot and travel to the Gabba next Saturday night to play Brisbane.
THE WRAP-UP
GOALS
Adelaide: Douglas 2; Cameron 2; Walker; Talia; Lynch; Wright; Betts; Laird; Dangerfield; Jenkins
Hawthorn: Breust 3; Hale 2; Smith 2; Burgoyne; Duryea; Hill; Puopolo; Shiels; Suckling; Ceglar; Hodge; Rioli; Hartung
BEST
Adelaide: Dangerfield, Thompson, Cameron, Lynch, Douglas, Sloane
Hawthorn: Hodge, Shiels, Smith, Burgoyne, Hale, Suckling
INJURIES
Adelaide: Walker (corked hip)
Hawthorn: Gunston (dislocated finger)
SUBSTITUTES
Adelaide: Matt Crouch replaced Taylor Walker at three-quarter-time
Hawthorn: Billy Hartung replaced Ryan Schoenmakers at three-quarter-time
REPORTS
None
UMPIRES: Dean Margetts, Simon Meredith, David Harris
CROWD: 50,023 at Adelaide Oval
