Master coach Alastair Clarkson's empire at Hawthorn isn't crumbling just yet.
Clarkson is lauding unfancied Hawthorn's "hunt and grunt" after opening his AFL season with a stunning 32-point upset win against Adelaide.
The Hawks triumphed 12.15 (87) to 7.13 (55) in Saturday's twilight game at Adelaide Oval with the Crows losing influential backman Tom Doedee to a season-ending knee injury.
Crows coach Don Pyke expects scans to confirm Doedee has torn the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.
"We feel for him and will get around him," Pyke said.
"It's disappointing. But we have got to move on, that's the unfortunate reality."
Adelaide's midfield stalwart Richard Douglas also faces weeks on the sidelines after a badly spraining an ankle.
The injuries came as Hawk onballer James Worpel orchestrated an underdog victory which Clarkson described as immensely satisfying.
Worpel went some way to covering the midfield void caused by Brownlow medallist Tom Mitchell's broken leg, with 27 possessions and two goals.
"He played well ... but we just had a really good, even contribution," Clarkson said.
"Every guy played his role."
Worpel had six centre clearances and a team-high dozen contested possessions and his fellow onballer Jaeger O'Meara was brilliant with two goals among 24 touches.
Liam Shiel and Blake Hardwick gathered 22 disposals apiece, Ben McEvoy ruled the rucks, and James Sicily was outstanding in defence.
Sicily took 10 marks and collected 26 disposals to help Hawthorn control Adelaide's potent-on-paper attack - Taylor Walker, Josh Jenkins and Tom Lynch were goalless.
Adelaide's newly appointed co-captain Rory Sloane was superb with 36 possessions, including 21 contested and 11 clearances.
Matt Crouch amassed 39 touches, his brother Brad slotted two goals in 28 possessions, and winger Rory Atkins (31 disposals) was prominent.
But the Crows turned jittery under Hawthorn's immense pressure with coach Pyke lamenting his side's skill blunders.
"Some of execution and decision-making with ball in hand was not to the level we would like," he said.
"We became a little bit rushed. It was a disappointing and frustrating way to start."
In round two, the Crows travel to play Sydney on Friday night without Doedee and Douglas.
And Hawks coach Clarkson is imploring his players to "back it up again" when they host Western Bulldogs at the MCG next Sunday.
Australian Associated Press
