The first game on Saturday for AFL Round 17 is between Hawthorn Hawks and Western Bulldogs. The opening bounce is set to commence at 1.45pm 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 Western Bulldogs.

Round: Round 17 1:45 PM July 20, 2013
Stadium: Aurora Stadium
Weather: 11° Mostly sunny.

Featured Bookmakers:

Hawthorn Hawks $1.01 vs Western Bulldogs $16.00 at Sportsbet Australia get a $250 FREE BET on this match

Hawthorn Hawks $1.01 vs Western Bulldogs $15.00 at Luxbet Australia get a $500 FREE BET on this match

Odds Comparison by AFL Odds:

Hawthorn Hawks	1.01	1.02	1.01	1.02	1.01	1.02
Western Bulldogs	16.00	13.00	15.00	13.00	16.00	16.00

Preview:

After suffering from Kennett’s Curse yet again in round 15 when losing to Geelong by ten points, Hawthorn bounced back with a strong 45 point win over Port in Adelaide last week.

Adding further merit to their win was that the team was without star forward Buddy Franklin.

Hawks led at each chance and dominated the second half in particular to run out 124 – 79 victors.

They sit atop of the ladder and given their beaten their opponents this week by an average margin of 48 points the last three times they’ve met, which includes a 70 point hiding the last time they met, they’re well positioned to cover the -64.5 line.

The Bulldogs recorded their fourth win of the season in round 15 with a narrow victory over GWS and were competitive against the Bombers last week, trialling by as little as 12 points in the final quarter before three late goals to Essendon blew the score out, 121 – 90.

Unfortunately though, a spirited performance again this week against a side who has only lost twice this year, will not be enough.

Teams:

Hawthorn Hawks:
B: Ben Stratton, Brian Lake, Brent Guerra
HB: Luke Hodge, Josh Gibson, Kyle Cheney
C: Isaac Smith, Sam Mitchell, Bradley Hill
HF: Jack Gunston, Jarryd Roughead, Luke Breust
F: Shane Savage, David Hale, Cyril Rioli
Foll: Max Bailey, Jordan Lewis, Paul Puopolo
Int: Brendan Whitecross, Taylor Duryea, Jonathan Simpkin, Will Langford
Emerg: Jonathon Ceglar, Brad Sewell, Angus Litherland

In: Langford
Out: Burgoyne (suspended)

Western Bulldogs:
B: Dylan Addison, Jordan Roughead, Dale Morris
HB: Brett Goodes, Matthew Talia, Adam Cooney
C: Robert Murphy, Tom Liberatore, Lachie Hunter
HF: Daniel Giansiracusa, Liam Jones, Nathan Hrovat
F: Luke Dahlhaus, Jarrad Grant, Koby Stevens
Foll: Will Minson, Ryan Griffen, Mitch Wallis
Int: Liam Picken, Jason Tutt, Jack Macrae, Tory Dickson
Emerg: Daniel Cross, Tom Young, Tom Campbell

In: Macrae
Out: Smith (knee)

Franklin, Sewell still out for AFL’s Hawks

Hawthorn star Lance Franklin’s knee injury has cost him another AFL game and veteran midfielder Brad Sewell remains out of favour.

But Will Langford, the son of four-time Hawks premiership great Chris, will make his AFL debut against the Western Bulldogs in Launceston on Saturday.

Franklin missed last weekend’s win over Port Adelaide with knee soreness and was again left out on Thursday night despite expressing confidence earlier in the week that he would return.

Sewell, last year’s runner-up in the Hawks’ best and fairest, was dropped last round and hasn’t been recalled despite the suspension of Shaun Burgoyne.

Instead, 21-year-old defender Langford, elevated from the rookie list earlier this season, was Hawthorn’s only inclusion, with Sewell named an emergency.

The Dogs lost Clay Smith to a season-ending knee injury.

Essendon’s four changes for Saturday night’s meeting with Greater Western Sydney include the return of defender Nathan Lovett-Murray for his first AFL game since he was stabbed during a domestic incident in May.

Forward Stewart Crameri returns and elevated rookie Cory Dell’Olio will play his first AFL game this year.

Jason Winderlich (soreness), David Zaharakis (back) and Tayte Pears (rested) are missing, while veteran ruckman Dean Brogan returns for the Giants.

Collingwood have lost Clinton Young (hamstring) and Jarryd Blair (calf) for Saturday night’s match against Gold Coast.

Utility Tyson Goldsack returns after being out since round six with a hip injury.

Suns key defender Rory Thompson was named despite a heavy knock to the chest last round, but David Swallow (knee) was omitted.

Brisbane will again miss injured pair Brent Moloney and Simon Black for Saturday night’s clash with Melbourne, while Demon Jack Viney returns.

North Melbourne have reacted to their fade-out loss to the Lions by dropping defensive stalwart Michael Firrito and Levi Greenwood for Friday night’s encounter with Carlton.

Lindsay Thomas returns from suspension, with Andrew Swallow, Jack Ziebell, Aaron Mullett and Lachie Hansen named despite injury concerns.

Carlton named Marc Murphy despite the captain training only lightly on Thursday as he deals with a glute injury.

Port Adelaide, missing Kane Cornes to suspension, regain key forward Justin Westhoff for Saturday’s encounter with St Kilda.

The Saints’ three changes include a debut for midfielder Tom Curren.

Shane Tuck and Bachar Houli have been added to Richmond’s extended squad for Saturday’s clash with Fremantle.

The Dockers have lost Matthew Pavlich and Hayden Ballantyne but included Paul Duffield.

West Coast have added Luke Shuey, Sharrod Wellingham and Adam Selwood to their squad for Sunday’s meeting with Sydney, who are missing Ben McGlynn.

Adelaide have dropped Matt Jaensch and lost Patrick Dangerfield (shoulder) for their game against Geelong, who will regain veterans Joel Corey and Corey Enright and slick midfielder-forward Mathew Stokes.