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Two old rivals, Hawthorn and Essendon, meet tonight at the MCG. Join us at 7:40 for minute by minute score updates and commentary.
Hawthorn will look to continue its record of disposing of challengers from the bottom rungs of the top eight, consolidating an all-important top four position.
Essendon started the season well under the auspices of prodigal son, James Hird, but with four consecutive losses, all against mid ranking teams, plus an atrocious recent record at the MCG, the bombers will need to be at its best to push Hawthorn for four quarters.
The Bombers are holding onto 8th spot by the skin of their teeth, and they most certainly will tumble out of it with a loss tonight.
However, there is some positive news for the Bombers:
1. Their recent record against Hawthorn is quite good.
2. Buddy joins Roughead on the sidelines this week, that’s a bit of tall timber the dons defence doesn’t have to worry about.
3. Up the other end, Patty Ryder and Brent Stanton get a real chance to test out a youngish Hawks defensive unit.
4. The return of captain Hille, and speedster Davey, will help freshen up the Bombers a bit.
The battle in the middle will be the key to the game, with Mitchell taking on dons captain, Jobe Watson. Mitchell will get a bit of assistance from the more experienced Hodge and Sewell, giving the Hawks a slight edge on winning the footy out of the centre of the park.
Hille’s return gives the young bomber onballers at least some chance of getting first use of the footy as often as not around the ground.
Both teams have relied on throwing youngsters in to the deep end with some success this season. The bombers have had Hibberd, Heppell and Monfries; the Hawks have had Puopolo, Shiels and Savage.
I get the feeling that the Bombers will be primed for this one, but even with a few things falling their way, I see Hawthorn finishing the game to the good by less than 10 points.
Teams
Hawthorn
B: Brent Guerra, Josh Gibson, Thomas Murphy
HB: Paul Puopolo, Jordan Lisle, Grant Birchall
C: Liam Shiels, Sam Mitchell, Shane Savage
HF: Isaac Smith, David Hale, Shaun Burgoyne
F: Jordan Lewis, Cyril Rioli, Michael Osborne
Foll: Max Bailey, Luke Hodge, Brad Sewell
I/C: Chance Bateman, Brendan Whitecross, Luke Breust, Matt Suckling
Emg: Will Sierakowski, Riley Milne, Kyle Cheney
In: Chance Bateman, Brent Guerra
Out: Lance Franklin (Suspension), Rick Ladson (Groin)
Essendon
B: Mark McVeigh, Dustin Fletcher, Michael Hibberd
HB: Dyson Heppell, Tayte Pears, Heath Hocking
C: Brent Prismall, Jobe Watson, David Zaharakis
HF: Angus Monfries, Michael Hurley, Brent Stanton
F: Sam Lonergan, Patrick Ryder, Leroy Jetta
Foll: David Hille, David Myers, Ben Howlett
I/C: Andrew Welsh, Alwyn Davey, Tom Bellchambers, Jake Melksham
Emg: Kyle Reimers, Jake Carlisle, Travis Colyer
In: David Hille, Andrew Welsh, Alwyn Davey
Out: Cale Hooker (Hamstring), Kyle Hardingham (Suspension), Stewart Crameri (Soreness)
LAST TIME: Hawthorn 14.18 (102) d Essendon 13.8 (86), Rnd 13, 2010, MCG
PAST FIVE: Hawthorn 2 Essendon 3
AT THIS VENUE: Hawthorn 9 Essendon 14
RECORD OVERALL: Hawthorn 57 Essendon 95
IN THE 2000s: Hawthorn 7 Essendon 11
BETTING: Hawthorn $1.40 Essendon $2.80
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