Friday only AFL Round 3 match is between Hawthorn Hawks and Fremantle Dockers with the game to be played at MCG. The opening bounce is set to commence at 7.50pm
 with home team Hawthorn Hawks currently holding favouritism. View our AFL live scores, odds and results for the game between Hawthorn Hawks and Fremantle Dockers.

Round: Round 3, Friday, April 4, 7.50pm
 AEDT
Stadium: MCG
Weather: 20° Shower or two developing.

Odds Comparison:

Hawthorn Hawks	1.70	1.70	1.67	1.70	1.70	1.72
Fremantle Dockers	2.20	2.20	2.25	2.20	2.20	2.15

All odds are subject to change. Odds listed are correct at the time of the latest update.

Preview:

The Hawks take on Fremantle to kick off round 3 of the AFL season, Friday night, 7.50PM at the MCG.  This is a great way to start the round, and a much anticipated replay of last year’s Grand Final.  While Hawthorn will be slight favourites to take the points against the Dockers, Fremantle have let through just 10 goals so far this season and will be very difficult for the Hawks to take down.

However, Zac Dawson is out with suspension this week, so the Fremantle backline could be more open than usual.  There is no mistaking the fact that the Dockers look great this season, however, and they will be very keen to reverse their Grand Final defeat from last year.  Hawthorn are always hard to beat at the MCG though, and will also want to prove that they can continue their winning ways from 2013.

Teams:

B Taylor Duryea, Josh Gibson, Matthew Suckling
HB Sam Mitchell, Kyle Cheney, Grant Birchall
C Liam Shiels, Shaun Burgoyne, Bradley Hill
HF Luke Breust, Jarryd Roughead, Isaac Smith
F Jack Gunston, David Hale, Paul Puopolo
FOLL Ben McEvoy, Jordan Lewis, Cyril Rioli
I/C Will Langford, Matt Spangher, Angus Litherland,Jonathan Simpkin
EMG Mitch Hallahan, Jonathon Ceglar, Derick Wanganeen

IN Sam Mitchell, Matt Spangher
OUT Luke Hodge (Groin), Tim O’Brien (Omitted)

Fremantle Dockers:

HB Danyle Pearce, Michael Johnson, Paul Duffield
C Cameron Sutcliffe, Ryan Crowley, David Mundy
HF Hayden Ballantyne, Chris Mayne, Nick Suban
F Jack Hannath, Matthew Pavlich, Michael Walters
FOLL Aaron Sandilands, Tendai Mzungu, Stephen Hill
I/C Lachie Neale, Garrick Ibbotson, Matt de Boer,Tommy Sheridan
EMG Hayden Crozier, Zac Clarke, Clancee Pearce

IN Lachie Neale, Garrick Ibbotson, Alex Silvagni
OUT Nat Fyfe (Suspension), Michael Barlow (Knee),Zac Dawson (Suspension)

News:

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson concedes Fremantle are in better form that his AFL champion team ahead of their grand final rematch.

The Hawks’ hopes of holding off the rampant Dockers at the MCG on Friday night has suffered a blow with captain Luke Hodge ruled out with a groin injury.

However they are set to include veteran midfielder Sam Mitchell, who has overcome the calf complaint that forced him to miss their last round win over Essendon.

While both clubs are unbeaten Clarkson said his players would need to lift if they were to deliver the Dockers their first loss of the season.

History also goes against his team with the defending premiers losing their first grand final rematch on four of the last five occasions.

“They’re playing some good footy and we weren’t so good last week,” Clarkson said.

“They’re playing better footy than us in terms of the form line over the last two to three weeks and if that applies tomorrow night they’ll be going home with the four points.

“We think that we can play a bit better than we have been and if we can we give ourselves a good chance of winning.”

He felt the personnel changes to both sides, due to injuries, retirements and departures, meant the grand final result wouldn’t have as much impact.

Fremantle will be without key midfielders Michael Barlow (knee) and Nat Fyfe (suspension) and also feisty defender Zac Dawson (suspension).

Among the newcomers in the Hawks lineup is former Saint Ben McEvoy, who will line up against giant ruckman Aaron Sandilands.

Clarkson said he didn’t believe the battle would decide the contest.

“Strangely enough, despite his height and his dominance and hit-outs last week they still lost the stoppages to a Gold Coast side that were OK in that area of the ground,” Clarkson said of Sandilands.

“Just because of his dominance doesn’t mean they’re going to win games of footy or win or the clearances.”

Clarkson said Hodge was desperately close to playing, but they didn’t want to risk him so early in the season.

“He’s got a pretty minor ailment and he’s been banging the door down trying to tell us that he’s OK, but we’re better off just taking a week.

“He’s a warrior and he’s captain of the club and wants to get out there and play as often as he can, but we just think it’s better off he has a rest.”

Meanwhile, Brad Sewell (hamstring), centre half-back Ben Stratton (hamstring/calf) and Ryan Schoenmakers (knee) are set to play in the VFL for Box Hill against Werribee on Saturday.

“It’s Schoenmakers’ first game back for nearly 12 months, so that’s exciting for our club that those three are back in the fold again,” Clarkson said.

“They’ll build some match-conditioning over the next week or two and we’ll make a decision on when we’ll try to get them back into our senior side.”