Friday first AFL Round 18 match is between Essendon Bombers and Hawthorn Hawks with the game to be played at Etihad Stadium. The opening bounce is set to commence at 7:50 PM local time with away team Hawthorn Hawks currently holding favouritism. View our AFL live scores, odds and results for the game between Essendon Bombers and Hawthorn Hawks.
WHERE AND WHEN: Etihad Stadium, 7:50 PM July 26, 2013
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Opening odds comparison:
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| Essendon Bombers | 3.15 | 3.15 | 3.10 | 3.15 | 3.15 | 3.17 |
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Hawthorn Hawks
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1.36 | 1.35 | 1.37 | 1.35 | 1.36 | 1.37 |
Preview:
Round 18 of the AFL swings into action this weekend, with a number of exciting matches to look forward to. Essendon take on Hawthorn in the first match of the round, and one of the most anticipated games of the season. It’s first playing second at the business end of the season, kicking off on Friday night, 7.50pm at Etihad Stadium. While Hawthorn will be favourites to take the points here, the nature of the big occasion could help the Bombers find that extra something needed to win games like this. Essendon will have to be totally on their game to match the Hawks, however, even with the home ground advantage and return of key midfield players Heath Hocking, Ben Howlett and David Zaharakis.
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)
‘Dons boss says board meeting was routine
David Evans is staying as Essendon chairman and insists there was nothing out of the ordinary about Thursday night’s board meeting at the AFL club.
There had been media speculation about Evans’ future following another major development in the Bombers’ supplements crisis.
It has emerged AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou made a phone call to Evans the night before the Bombers went public in February about the supplements issue.
Demetriou has acknowledged speaking to Bombers president David Evans on February 4, but says he did not tip off Essendon as he did not know which club was under investigation.
“I want to make this really clear – tonight was a regular and scheduled monthly board meeting,” Evans said outside Essendon’s Windy Hill headquarters.
“In relation to media reports late this afternoon, I am not standing down as chairman.
“The board did not ask me to explain my version of events.
“This was a routine board meeting.
“If you don’t mind, I’m going to go off to dinner and it’s not a farewell dinner.”
Essendon are under Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) and AFL investigation, with the league hopeful that ASADA will report their findings next month.