That’s Hawthorn midfielder Isaac Smith’s philosophy on any perceived pace disadvantage for his team.
It’s reflected when the time in possession stats are unfurled, revealing an outfit which thrives on starving the opposition of the ball.
Over the course of 2013, the Hawks’ opponents have enjoyed less time in possession against Hawthorn than any other club.
Team | Time in possession (%) |
Opponents v Hawthorn | 39 |
AFL average | 41.2 |
Differential | -2.2% |
Across the course of an average 120-minute game, the differential ends up being almost three minutes. Considering a side can easily go from one end of the ground to another in 15 seconds, three minutes is an eternity in AFL terms.
In isolation the time in possession statistic is impressive enough, however when it’s coupled with the time in forward half, it really illustrates how Hawthorn can control the tempo of the game.
During a game, Hawthorn spends almost six more minutes more in its forward half than its opposition, and across the season averages almost three minutes more than the rest of the competition.
Team | Time in forward half (mins:secs) | Time in forward half (%) |
Hawthorn | 50:54 | 53.1 |
AFL average | 48:08 | 46.9 (opposition) |
Differential | +2:46 | +6.2% |
On the scoreboard, Hawthorn’s main strength is scoring from stoppages. It is comfortably number one in the competition for total points from stoppages in 2013, having kicked almost 16 goals more than the second-ranked side.
Sometimes a total figure may deceive, with sheer weight of numbers meaning a total will invariably be up at the top. This isn’t the case with Hawthorn, as its strike rate (points per 100 clearances) is also well clear of the AFL’s best sides.
Team | Scores from stoppages (points) | Strike rate (points per 100 clearances) |
Hawthorn | 929 | 122.2 |
Sydney | 834 | 97.8 |
Richmond | 794 | 105.6 |
North Melbourne | 791 | 99.9 |
The numbers may be intimidating, but there is encouragement to be taken from North’s impressive showing when the sides met for the first time this season.
In Round 5 at the MCG, North comprehensively beat Hawthorn in and around the stoppages. The Hawks’ 16 points in that statistical category on the evening is to this point its lowest output in 2013.
Round 5 | Scores from stoppages (points) | Strike rate (points per 100) |
North Melbourne | 37 | 80.4 |
Hawthorn | 16 | 66.7 |
Differential | +21 | +13.7 |
