Hawthorn’s impressive recent form has them positioned as the competition’s best side at moving the ball by hand and foot so far in 2018.

The Hawks, who sit fifth after winning four of their last five games, are ranked No.1 for effective disposals with 74.6 per cent after 20 rounds, ahead of Collingwood and Brisbane (both 74.1).

While the weekend’s nail-biting encounter with Essendon saw them operate at just 72 per cent efficiency, Alastair Clarkson’s men have recorded impressive figures in recent wins over Carlton (78.3) and Fremantle (75.2), to hold the mantle as the competition’s most skilled side.

The Hawks built a strong reputation as the most effective side by hand and foot throughout their three-peat era of 2013-15, with statistics showing that the Hawks’ quality ball use has been well and truly maintained.

Since 2011, the Hawks have only been knocked off their perch as the best ranked team once – by St Kilda in 2016 – while the team’s output is yet to diminish in that time, sitting at an average of 75 per cent over the eight-year period.

Of the individual Hawks producing the best numbers this season, disposal efficiency is interestingly dominated by the side’s defenders.

Leading the way is versatile small defender Teia Miles who, while only making five appearances so far, has operated at 84.6 per cent effectiveness, followed closely by defensive mainstay Blake Hardwick (82.8 per cent), who’s enjoyed a stellar 2018 campaign.

Fellow defenders Ben Stratton (81), James Sicily (80.9) and Kaiden Brand (79.8) round out the Hawks’ top five, highlighting the skill level in the Hawks’ back half.   

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Hawks disposal efficiency 2011-2018