Hawthorn continues to defy expectations, picking up a hugely impressive win over the Crows at the Adelaide Oval.
Inaccurate goal kicking made the 32-point margin not quite reflectively of just how dominant the Hawks were in the second half.
Fundamental skill errors, key players turning the ball over consistently and a lack of run marred an Adelaide side who came into this game clear favourites.
Medical Room: Doedee done for the year
Promising young Adelaide defender Tom Doedee has suffered a serious knee injury, likely a torn ACL against Hawthorn.
The 22-year-old went off in the second quarter and was later seen icing his knee.
Adelaide football operations boss Brett Burton said they fear the worst.
“We’ll get scans after the game, but at the moment it’s a suspected ACL,” he told Fox Footy at half-time.
Doedee played 20 games in 2018, taking over Jake Lever’s spot in the Crows’ best 22 nicely.
Richard Douglas was carried from the ground during the fourth quarter as well after copping a head knock from teammate Taylor Walker.
Crows defender Tom Doedee will not return after injuring his knee against the Hawks.
— AFL (@AFL) March 23, 2019
Adelaide suspect it is an ACL injury, with scans to come in the following days. #AFLCrowsHawks pic.twitter.com/NdMG46XgOL
The Talking Point: Never, ever rule out Hawthorn
Many experts predicted Hawthorn to be one of the teams to slide in 2019, especially after the loss of reigning Brownlow Medallist Tom Mitchell for the year.
However, this team has been the model of consistency for over 10 years now and Alastair Clarkson finds a way.
James Worpel has taken the next step in the midfield, Jaeger O’Meara is fit and fiting, James Sicily was uncontainable across half back and they’ve found players in James Cousins and Harry Morrison.
O’Meara was selected by two club captains to win this year’s Brownlow Medal and he may just have picked up three votes today.
No one expected them to be a top four team in 2018, either and it’s way too soon to declare them a top eight side, but maybe it’s worth giving them the benefit of the doubt.
Blight: "The Hawthorn backmen have been outstanding tonight. They've all played their roles perfectly"
— AFL Nation (@AFLNation) March 23, 2019
Hawks: 69
Crows: 38#AFLCrowsHawks
There's one for James Cousins!
— AFL (@AFL) March 23, 2019
The Hawks are rolling.#AFLCrowsHawks pic.twitter.com/tJKzb5zkmW
What’s next?
Adelaide will look to bounce back when they take on Sydney at the SCG next Friday night. Starting the season 0-2 could be disastrous for the Crows after their 2018 drop off and the turf issues with the SCG could make things tough for them.
Hawthorn meanwhile host the Western Bulldogs at the MCG. They played each other twice last year, splitting the honours.
Eddie Betts gives the Adelaide crowd some life!#AFLCrowsHawks pic.twitter.com/1zb4DMUfkU
— AFL (@AFL) March 23, 2019
Full Score
Adelaide: 1.2, 5.4, 5.6, 7.12. (54)
Hawthorn: 2.4, 6.7, 9.14, 12.15. (87)
GOALS
Adelaide: Betts 2, B. Crouch 2, Jones, M.Crouch, Sloane
Hawthorn: O’Meara 2, McEvoy 2, Worpel 2, Gunston, Shiels, Breust, Cousins, Smith
BEST
Adelaide: M.Crouch, Sloane, Laird, Keath, Betts
Hawthorn: O’Meara, Sicily, Worpel, Hardwick, McEvoy, Shiels, Cousins
Reports: Nil
Injuries: Doedee (knee)