After a partial start to the 2025 season, with just two games played in Opening Round, the year will officially feel underway with the first of many nine-game rounds to begin on Thursday night.
Key statistical categories often determine how well your club performs, and indicate which side is controlling the contest. Last week, Sydney's scores off turnover was their key metric to watch. The Swans scored just 23 points off turnover on Friday, 32 fewer points than their 2024 average, resulting in a fairly comfortable loss to the Hawks.
With nine blockbuster fixtures to continue the season, we'll delve into the key statistical category that needs to be mastered for each mouthwatering Round 1 clash.
Hawthorn vs Essendon
Clearances
Both the Hawks and Bombers thrived off of their midfield's clearance work in their previous respective matches - Hawthorn's Opening Round game and Essendon's practice match against Geelong.
The Hawks' dominance in the midfield was clear cut when James Worpel streamed away untouched out the front of the contest multiple times throughout the game, while Will Day and Jai Newcombe's ability to shovel the ball out in traffic continued to emphasise Hawthorn's dominance. The result was a +14 differential in clearances for the match.
Similarly, Essendon's 21-point Community Series win came from a +13 differential in the clearance count, spearheaded by youngster Elijah Tsatas (10 clearances) who looks primed to breakout in his third season.
With Worpel out of the clash with a syndesmosis injury sustained in Friday night's win, the midfield between both sides appears fairly even on paper. Hawthorn has the statistical advantage by averaging 1.2 more clearances per game than the Bombers in 2024, albeit it is a minor confidence booster.
Essendon have also been Hawthorn's bogey side in recent memory, with the Bombers claiming three consecutive wins over the Hawks. It suggests that this clash is no 'gimme' for the Hawks, heightening the importance of winning the clearance battle this Friday.
