The only game on Friday for AFL Round 2 is between Essendon Bombers and Hawthorn Hawks. The opening bounce is set to commence at 7.50pm with the game to be played at Etihad Stadium. The favourite for the match is away team Hawthorn Hawks. View our preview and teams for the game between Essendon Bombers and Hawthorn Hawks.
Round: Round 2, Friday March 28, 7.50pm
Stadium: Etihad Stadium
Weather: 23° Shower or two.
Featured Bookmakers:
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Odds Comparison:
All odds are subject to change. Odds listed are correct at the time of the latest update.
Tips: Hawthorn Hawks to win.
Preview:
The last time these sides met was round 18 in 2013, when Hawthorn was top of the ladder and Essendon beneath them holding second spot. A lot has happened between then and now, but both sides appear primed for an entertaining clash at Etihad Stadium on Friday night. Essendon has a forward line structure that might stretch the Hawks’ defence, but a lot will depend on how both midfields go. If Jobe Watson and Brendon Goddard get a run on like last week the Bombers will fancy their chances, but the Hawks have been able to negate them in past encounters and will be keen to step up their form after a workmanlike win over the Brisbane Lions last weekend.
LAST FIVE TIMES
R18, 2013, Hawthorn 22.11 (143) d Essendon 13.9 (87) at Etihad Stadium
R18, 2012, Hawthorn 27.18 (180) d Essendon 12.14 (86) at Etihad Stadium
R14, 2011, Hawthorn 23.8 (146) d Essendon 12.9 (81) at the MCG
R13, 2010, Hawthorn 14.18 (102) d Essendon 13.8 (86) at the MCG
R6, 2010, Essendon 15.16 (106) d Hawthorn 9.9 (63) at the MCG
THE SIX POINTS
1. Can the Bombers keep the ball off the Hawks? Last week Essendon had 450 disposals, comfortably the most in the competition. A remarkable 299 of those were uncontested, again the most in the League for round one.
2. The Hawks have dominated the Bombers in recent seasons, winning the last four matches by 16, 65, 94 and 56 points. Essendon’s last win was by 43 points in round six, 2010, at the MCG.
3. Expect a very healthy crowd. At Etihad Stadium the average attendance to watch these teams is 47,596 in seven games, with four wins to three in Hawthorn’s favour.
4. The Bombers should relish the prospect of taking on Hawthorn without Lance Franklin. Franklin kicked 50 goals in 10 games against Essendon.
5. But another danger man will be out there for the Hawks, with Cyril Rioli back into the team after serving a one-match suspension from the Grand Final. A big job looms for Mark Baguley.
6. Bombers captain Jobe Watson started the year as the fifth-ranked player in the Gatorade Official AFL Player Ratings. After his 38-disposal and two-goal effort last week against the Kangaroos, he looks set for an ascent.
Teams:
Essendon Bombers:
Backs: Baguley Hooker Fletcher
Half-backs: Hibberd Hurley Goddard
Centres: Zaharakis Watson Heppell
Half-forwards: Chapman Carlisle Ambrose
Forwards: Stanton Daniher Hardingham
Followers: Ryder Hocking Howlett
Interchange: Gleeson Myers Z Merrett J Merrett
Emergencies: Ashby Colyer Kavanagh
No changes
Hawthorn Hawks:
Backs: Hodge Gibson Burgoyne
Half-backs: Suckling Cheney Birchall
Centres: Shiels Mitchell Hill
Half-forwards: Breust Roughead Smith
Forwards: Gunston Hale Rioli
Followers: McEvoy Langford Lewis
Interchange: Puopolo O’Brien Simpkin Duryea
Emergencies: Spangher Litherland Wanganeen
In: Rioli
Out: Wanganeen
