The first game on Saturday for AFL Round 1 is between Hawthorn Hawks and Brisbane Lions. The opening bounce is set to commence at 4:40 PM with the game to be played at Aurora Stadium. The favourite for the match is home team Hawthorn Hawks. View our preview and teams for the game between Hawthorn Hawks and Brisbane Lions.

Round: Round 1, Saturday 4:40 PM March 22, 2014,
Stadium: Aurora Stadium
Weather: 21° A few early showers.

Featured Bookmakers:

[iframe_loader width=”690″ height=”270″ src=”https://www.sportsnews.com.au/odds/afl/match.php?id=1008808″]

Odds Comparison:

Hawthorn Hawks	1.08	1.07	1.06	1.07	1.08	1.08
Brisbane Lions	7.50	8.50	10.00	8.50	7.50	8.00

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

Tips: Hawthorn to win and cover the line.

Preview:

SUMMARY: The first of two unfurlings of the premiership flag for the Hawks at a venue they adore, having won 29 of 40 all up and their last seven on the trot. It shapes as a daunting coaching debut for new Lions boss Justin Leppitsch against the Hawks, whose pre-season form was scintillating. The Lions’ best hope of springing an upset will be to get on top in the midfield and dominate the inside 50s, because the Hawks look depleted down back with several big names missing. A point of interest will be how the Hawks structure up without Lance Franklin, although they have fared well without him in the past.

LAST FIVE TIMES
R14, 2013, Hawthorn 21.17 (143) d Brisbane Lions 12.13 (85) at Aurora Stadium
R12, 2012, Hawthorn 19.21 (135) d Brisbane Lions 11.4 (70) at the MCG
R16, 2011, Hawthorn 16.9 (105) d Brisbane Lions 9.9 (63) at Aurora Stadium
R16, 2010, Hawthorn 17.16 (118) d Brisbane Lions 7.1 (43) at Aurora Stadium
R12, 2009, Brisbane Lions 13.15 (93) d Hawthorn 7.9 (51) at Aurora Stadium

THE SIX POINTS
1. Hawthorn and the Lions met just once in 2013, with the Hawks comfortable winners by 58 points in round 14 at Aurora Stadium; Jarryd Roughead picked up the three Brownlow votes with four goals.
2. The Hawks were ranked first in 2013 for fewest disposals per goals with 22.6 compared to the Lions, who ranked 13th with 27.3.
3. Hawthorn has dominated the Lions recently, winning the last four matches by 75, 42, 65 and 58 points. The Lions’ last win over the Hawks was in round 12, 2009.
4. No team gave away more free kicks in 2013 than the Lions, with 464. Hawthorn was seventh, giving away 456 after the finals.
5. The Hawks were ranked first in 2013 for marks inside 50, with an average of 15 per game; the Lions were 16th with just 10 per game.
6. Franklin’s departure from the Hawks means the defending champs no longer have a player listed in the top 10 of the Official AFL Player Rankings. Cyril Rioli comes in at no.11 but he won’t play this week because of suspension.

St Kilda Saints:
Backs: Dempster Delaney Gwilt
Half-backs: Wright Roberton Webster
Centres: Newnes Dunstan Ray
Half-forwards: Jones Riewoldt Saunders
Forwards: Stanley Maister Templeton
Followers: Hickey Armitage
Rover: Savage
Interchange: Geary Billings Gilbert Curren
Emergencies: Ross Dennis-Lane Lee
New: Luke Delaney, 24, North Melbourne; Shane Savage, 23, Hawthorn; Luke Dunstan, 19, Woodville-West Torrens; Eli Templeton, 18, Burnie Dockers (Tas); Jack Billings, 18, Oakleigh U18

Melbourne Demons:
Backs: Terlich Frawley Grimes
Half-backs: Dunn McDonald Vince
Centres: Toumpas Watts Tyson
Half-forwards: Bail Fitzpatrick Cross
Forwards: Byrnes Pedersen Howe
Followers: Spencer N Jones
Rover: Trengove
Interchange: Michie M Jones Kennedy-Harris Georgiou
Emergencies: Nicholson Blease Evans
New: Daniel Cross, 30, Western Bulldogs; Viv Michie, 22, Fremantle; Dom Tyson, 20, GWS Giants; Bernie Vince, 28, Adelaide; Jay Kennedy-Harris, 18, Oakleigh U18; Alex Georgiou, 24, Norwood (SANFL)