In a tweet

 

The Rundown

The Hawks started strongly in this Round 2 clash, kicking five of the first six goals in the first 15 minutes. 

It was a strong response to a disappointing season opener against Essendon the week previous.

But the Crows, who had announced themselves as a premiership contender with an eye-catching 56-point victory over the Giants in Round 1, ground their way back from a slow start to lead by four points at the final change.

The Crows then continued to pull away in the final term, kicking five goals to two, to finish 24-point victors. 

Despite recording their first winless opening fortnight to a season since 2009, Hawks fans were buoyed by the outstanding performance of recruited pair Jaeger O’Meara and Tom Mitchell, who combined for 75 disposals, 36 of which were contested.  

Read: Match preview Round 14 

The Star

As far as the ruck duel went, this game proved to be one of Hawk ruckman Ben McEvoy’s rare losses so far this season.

Crow ruck Sam Jacobs played a well-rounded performance, collecting 15 disposals, six marks and a goal to go with his 43 hit-outs.

Jacobs was named as Adelaide’s best player on the day.

 

The Moment

Midway through the final term, despite the Hawks lacklustre second and third quarters, they remained only 10 points behind the Crows. 

Young Crow midfielder Riley Knight chased a loose ball on the MCG wing, with Hawk star Shaun Burgoyne in hot pursuit. Knight gathered the ball, hemmed in against the boundary line, and shrugged off the Burgoyne tackle.

Knight handed the ball off to a running David Mackay who slotted an impressive goal from outside 50 to put his side ahead by 16 points. 

Less than 100 seconds later, some hard running through the corridor from Mackay was rewarded with him being found, alone, inside forward 50. Playing on instantly, the 28-year old strolled in to kick his third of the day and extend the margin to 22 points, near on where it would finish.

Read: Hawks make four changes for Adelaide clash

 

The Coach  

“We just couldn’t get the game played on our terms as we would have liked against a pretty handy side like Adelaide,” Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson said.

 

HAWTHORN        6.2    8.3    11.10    13.11   (89)                  
ADELAIDE           2.2    5.8    11.14    16.17   (113)           

GOALS
Hawthorn: Breust 4, Puopolo 3, Roughead 2, Mitchell, Shiels, Vickery, Rioli
Adelaide: Betts 3, Mackay 3, Walker 2, Lynch, Jacobs, Cameron, Atkins, McGovern, Otten, Sloane, Brown

BEST 
Hawthorn: Mitchell, O'Meara, Puopolo, Gunston, Burgoyne
Adelaide: Jacobs, Sloane, Smith, Mackay, Crouch, Betts, Talia

INJURIES 
Hawthorn: Shiels (left leg), Smith (leg), Birchall (jaw)
Adelaide: Jenkins (ribs)

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Margetts, Nicholls, Mitchell 

Official crowd: 37,420 at the MCG