The opening match of Round 18 is between Essendon Bombers and Hawthorn Hawks. The opening bounce will commence at 7:50pm local time with the game being played at Etihad Stadium. View our live scores, results and dream team points.
The last time these two teams met was in Round 14 last year in which Hawthorn won by sixty five points at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Essendon make three changes to their squad with Heath Hocking, Jason Winderlich and Alex Browne coming in for Ricky Dyson, David Myers and Cory Dell’Olio.
Hawthorn only make two changes to their winning squad from last week who beat Collingwood, Brent Guerra and Luke Hodge replace Thomas Murphy and Kyle Cheney.
Hawthorn go into the match as clear favourites and its unlikely that Essendon can cause an upset.
WHERE AND WHEN: Etihad Stadium, Friday July 27, 7.50pm
LAST TIME: Hawthorn 23.8 (146) d Essendon 12.9 (81), round 14, 2011 at the MCG
Essendon Bombers $4.50 vs Hawthorn Hawks $1.21 at Sportsbet Australia
Essendon Bombers $4.80 vs Hawthorn Hawks $1.19 at Luxbet Australia
Essendon Bombers 
- B: Mark Baguley, Jake Carlisle, Kyle Hardingham
- HB: Courtenay Dempsey, Dustin Fletcher, Cale Hooker
- C: Dyson Heppell, Brent Stanton, Jake Melksham
- HF: Jason Winderlich, Scott Gumbleton, Stewart Crameri
- F: Leroy Jetta, David Hille, Alwyn Davey
- Foll: Tom Bellchambers, Jobe Watson, Heath Hocking
- I/C: Nathan Lovett-Murray, Angus Monfries, Ben Howlett, Alex Browne
- Emg:Tayte Pears, Elliott Kavanagh, Cory Dell’Olio
- In: Heath Hocking, Jason Winderlich, Alex Browne
- Out: Ricky Dyson, David Myers, Cory Dell’Olio
Hawthorn Hawks
- B: Brent Guerra, Josh Gibson, Benjamin Stratton
- HB: Matt Suckling, Ryan Schoenmakers, Grant Birchall
- C: Isaac Smith, Sam Mitchell, Clinton Young
- HF: Brendan Whitecross, Jack Gunston, Jordan Lewis
- F: Paul Puopolo, Jarryd Roughead, Cyril Rioli
- Foll: David Hale, Shaun Burgoyne, Brad Sewell
- I/C: Luke Hodge, Liam Shiels, Shane Savage, Luke Breust
- Emg: Max Bailey, Thomas Murphy, Kyle Cheney
- In: Brent Guerra, Luke Hodge
- Out: Thomas Murphy, Kyle Cheney
- Milestones: Cyril Rioli – 100 games
