SUMMARY
Some worrying signs emerged for the Hawks in their 25-point loss to Essendon in the season opener on Saturday. In particular they looked slow and were susceptible to the high ball in defence. Guess what? The Crows are irresistible when they move the ball at speed through the midfield, and their tall forward combination, set to be boosted by the return of skipper Taylor Walker, is the most dangerous in the competition. The round five clash between these two clubs at the MCG last year was a clinker, decided at the end by Paul Puopolo's clinically executed set shot, but after last week's return of 12.19 the Hawks need to convert better. There will be no panic stations yet at Hawthorn, but it is difficult to pick against the Crows given how impressive they were in thrashing the flag favourite Giants.
WHERE AND WHEN: MCG, Saturday, April 1, 1.45pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R5, 2016, Hawthorn 17.10 (112) d Adelaide 17.7 (109) at the MCG
2SF, 2015, Hawthorn 21.9 (135) d Adelaide 8.13 (61) at the MCG
R12, 2015, Hawthorn 17.12 (114) d Adelaide 12.13 (85) at Adelaide Oval
R17, 2014, Hawthorn 15.14 (104) d Adelaide 14.8 (92) at Adelaide Oval
R6, 2013, Hawthorn 13.11 (89) d Adelaide 11.12 (78) at AAMI Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. The last time these teams met the Crows won the disposal count 403-353, but the Hawks won the remainder of the important categories - 97-77 tackles, 60-48 inside 50s and 47-38 clearances. Hawthorn's small forwards were the difference with 11 goals between Paul Puopolo and Cyril Rioli.
2. In round one the Hawks had fewer disposals against Essendon and took fewer marks but had more inside 50s and the same number of scoring shots. Luke Breust, Jack Gunston and Puopolo they managed only three goals between them.
3. Hawthorn continues to dominate Adelaide, winning the last seven matches, a club record. The Crows haven't won since the opening round of 2011 at AAMI Stadium.
4. The Crows continue to be the highest-scoring side in the competition, kicking 147 points in round one v the Giants. Since the start of 2016 they’ve averaged 114 points per game and kicked 100 points or more in 18 of 25 games played.
5. The Hawks haven't lost their opening two games of a season since 2009, the last time they missed the finals. Adelaide will be aiming to win its first two games of a season for the second time in the last three years.
6. Nice game for the theatre-goers this one, with the eighth (Rory Sloane – 579.7) and ninth-ranked (Cyril Rioli 554.4) in the Schick Official AFL Player Ratings up against each other.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Luke Hodge
The triple Hawthorn premiership skipper has many credits in the bank but nevertheless he owes his team one after missing the loss to the Bombers because of a club suspension. He will come to play.
PREDICTION: Adelaide by 12 points
