In what should be a competitive round of match-ups, we kick off round eighteen with Essendon v Hawthorn.

Essendon made it six wins in a row with an emphatic victory over GWS last week (116 – 77) and the Bombers are flying high on the competition ladder too, one win behind their opposition this week.

During these runs of wins however, they’ve only faced one side placed in the top eight (Port Adelaide) and will find the class of Hawthorn, a great deal different to their opponents of more recent times.

Hawthorn led from the get-go last week against lowly ranked Western Bulldogs and with a half-time lead of twenty, looked set to score a comfortable win. A poor third quarter (1.3) and four late majors to the Bulldogs however, meant the full time score was closer than it should’ve been (95 – 76).

Hawthorn can ill-afford to take their foot of the accelerator against Essendon who match the Hawks in most stats this season.

Hawthorn has dominated recent encounters against Essendon, winning the two most recent matches by 65 and 94 points.

The sides haven’t met as yet this year and it’s obvious that the Bombers are a far better outfit than they were in the two matches above.

They’ll provide solid competition for Hawthorn who, more often than not, rise to the challenge.

A great way to start the round!

TIP: HAWTHORN 1 – 39

Odds comparison by AFL Odds:

Essendon Bombers	3.15	3.15	3.10	3.15	3.15	3.17
Hawthorn Hawks	1.36	1.35	1.37	1.35	1.36	1.37

Teams:

Essendon Bombers:

1 Michael Hibberd
2 Tom Bellchambers
3 Scott Gumbleton (EMG)
5 Brent Stanton
6 Joe Daniher
7 Leroy Jetta (INT)
9 Brendon Goddard
10 Nick O’Brien (EMG)
11 David Zaharakis
15 Courtenay Dempsey
16 Tayte Pears (INT)
17 Jake Melksham
18 Michael Hurley
21 Dyson Heppell
22 Jake Carlisle
23 David Myers
26 Cale Hooker
29 Alwyn Davey (EMG)
30 Patrick Ryder
32 Travis Colyer (INT)
38 Nick Kommer
39 Heath Hocking
40 Ben Howlett (INT)
46 Mark Baguley
47 Cory Dell’Olio

In: Heath Hocking, Ben Howlett, David Zaharakis, Tayte Pears, Joe Daniher
Out: Nathan Lovett-Murray (Omitted) , Nick O’Brien (Omitted) , Stewart Crameri (Ankle) , Jackson Merrett (Omitted) , Dustin Fletcher (Back)

Hawthorn Hawks:

2 Jarryd Roughead
3 Jordan Lewis
5 Sam Mitchell
6 Josh Gibson
10 Bradley Hill
11 Brendan Whitecross
12 Brad Sewell (INT)
13 Kyle Cheney (EMG)
15 Luke Hodge
16 Isaac Smith
17 Brian Lake
18 Brent Guerra
19 Jack Gunston
20 David Hale
21 Shane Savage (INT)
22 Luke Breust
23 Lance Franklin
24 Ben Stratton
28 Paul Puopolo
29 Will Langford (EMG)
32 Jonathan Simpkin (INT)
33 Cyril Rioli
39 Max Bailey
41 Taylor Duryea (INT)
47 Jonathon Ceglar (EMG)

In: Sam Mitchell, Lance Franklin
Out: Kyle Cheney (Omitted), Will Langford (Omitted)