Ball movement was a key plot to Saturday’s clash against Hawthorn. In 2014’s encounter, North was able to use its possession well but it ran into a road block this time in the form of the Hawks’ defensive unit.

Despite the 60-point final margin, the clearance count was even before the quality of disposal came into account in general play around the ground.

North had the edge at throw-in’s, while Hawthorn had more centre clearances with it being just about even at ball-ups.

The normally potent third-man up combo of Jordan Lewis and Luke Hodge was unable to have any impact; the two combining for only one hit-out which went straight to a Kangaroo regardless.

However, North conceded 11 of 19 goals from turnovers and it cruelled any chance of restricting Hawthorn to a gettable score.

It continued a 2015 trend of conceding a substantial total every second week. The wins have been due to a good defensive performance while the losses have seen opposition forwards get on top of the Kangaroos.

The turnovers meant North was unable to give its forwards any solid supply, with the inside 50 numbers down on the first four rounds.

Brad Scott talked about ‘the loss of organisation at times going forward’ during the evening and it was reflected in both sides’ inside 50 entries and how they were able to rebound from their defensive end.

On the occasions North was able to cut through the Hawthorn cluster on the way out of defensive 50, it was very successful. However it was too few and far between.

Hawthorn was able to turn its rebound 50’s into inside 50’s on too many occasions, and the ball movement proved the decisive factor.

All statistics courtesy of Champion Data