Adelaide was the best contested marking team in the competition in Round Two. The Crows took 22 contested marks to Hawthorn’s six in a dominant aerial display at the MCG.
Ruckman Sam Jacobs, who took a round-high six contested marks, led the way. Forward Mitch McGovern took four, while midfielder Rory Sloane clunked three. Swingman Andy Otten and captain Taylor Walker each hauled in two contested grabs.
Jacobs also won 43 hit-outs, four clearances and kicked a goal from his 15 possessions.
Despite a quiet start on Saturday, Sloane was the highest ranked midfielder for the round according to Champion Data (146.1 points).
Sloane, who had more tackles (13) than possessions (12) at three-quarter time, laid a Club record 15 tackles against the Hawks. The relentless vice-captain starred in the final term and finished with 25 disposals (15 contested), a game-high eight clearances, six marks, six inside 50ms and a goal.
He also applied more pressure acts (42) than any other player on the ground.
Curtly Hampton laid a personal best 10 tackles.
The Crows laid 83 tackles for the game – just one fewer than the Western Bulldogs, who led the competition with 84 for the round.
Livewire Charlie Cameron generated a game-high eight inside 50ms.
Walker had an equal-round high four score assists.
Forward Tom Lynch took a Round Two-high 14 marks and was also Adelaide’s leading possession winner with 31.
Defender Rory Laird collected 21 touches at 90.5 per cent efficiency.
Laird has now amassed 20 or more disposals in 30 consecutive games – ranked second in the AFL behind Sydney Swans midfielder Josh Kennedy (54). Laird’s last game with fewer than 20 touches was in Round 16, 2015.
In-and-under midfielder Matt Crouch won seven clearances from his 28 possessions.
Wingman David Mackay kicked a career-high three goals on Saturday, including back-to-back majors in the last quarter. Eddie Betts also bagged three in a day out for small forwards –Luke Breust and Paul Puopolo combined for seven goals for Hawthorn.
Taylor Walker had an equal-round high four score assists.
The Crows took a round-high 25 marks from opposition kicks.
Daniel Talia and Kyle Hartigan each took five marks from opposition kicks – the equal most of any player for the round.
Talia had more intercept possessions than any other player over the weekend (14).
After the opening fortnight of the season, The Crows are one of eight teams with a win-loss record of 2-0. It’s the first time eight teams have started a season 2-0, while another eight teams are 0-2.
Match statistics
Disposals
Adelaide – 368
Hawthorn – 410
Disposal Efficiency
Adelaide – 74 per cent
Hawthorn – 73 per cent
Kicks
Adelaide – 194
Hawthorn – 198
Handballs
Adelaide – 174
Hawthorn – 212
Free kicks
Adelaide – 11
Hawthorn – 22
Clearances
Adelaide – 15
Hawthorn – 13
Inside 50ms
Adelaide – 55
Hawthorn – 51
Contested Possessions
Adelaide – 150
Hawthorn – 150
Uncontested Possessions
Adelaide – 230
Hawthorn – 256
Tackles
Adelaide – 83
Hawthorn – 77
Hit-outs
Adelaide – 45
Hawthorn – 40
