Hawthorn
73
Match Complete
Essendon
86
| Fourth Quarter | ||||
| 31:00 |  | D. Parish | ||
| 30:05 |  | Rushed | ||
| D. Moore | | 27:21 | ||
| 21:21 | | J. Stringer | ||
| Rushed | | 19:48 | ||
| L. Breust | | 17:59 | ||
| 15:45 | | M. Guelfi | ||
| T. Mitchell | | 14:40 | ||
| Rushed | | 12:10 | ||
| 9:11 | | H. Jones | ||
| 7:06 | | H. Jones | ||
| 3:17 | | J. Stringer | ||
| L. Shiels | | 1:46 | ||
| 8.9 (57) | Third Quarter [+] | 9.5 (59) | ||
| 31:07 | | D. Heppell | ||
| B. McEvoy | | 0:18 | ||
| L. Breust | | 23:33 | ||
| 22:12 | | Rushed | ||
| 20:48 | | N. Hind | ||
| 19:28 | | A. McDonald-Tipungwuti | ||
| J. Koschitzke | | 17:34 | ||
| L. Breust | | 14:31 | ||
| J. Ceglar | | 12:15 | ||
| 6:02 | | N. Cahill | ||
| J. Koschitzke | | 4:15 | ||
| 2:12 | | J. Stringer | ||
| 4.7 (31) | Second Quarter [+] | 5.3 (33) | ||
| 28:31 | | J. Stringer | ||
| J. Scrimshaw | | 25:49 | ||
| C. Wingard | | 23:51 | ||
| L. Breust | | 21:30 | ||
| T. Mitchell | | 16:34 | ||
| 11:21 | | A. McDonald-Tipungwuti | ||
| J. Koschitzke | | 7:21 | ||
| T. O'Brien | | 5:40 | ||
| C. Wingard | | 3:43 | ||
| 0:51 | | A. McDonald-Tipungwuti | ||
| 1.3 (9) | First Quarter [+] | 3.2 (20) | ||
| 25:28 | | J. Stringer | ||
| T. Mitchell | | 24:31 | ||
| J. Koschitzke | | 22:51 | ||
| 20:00 | | K. Langford | ||
| J. Koschitzke | | 18:04 | ||
| 15:10 | | H. Jones | ||
| 9:43 | | Rushed | ||
| C. Wingard | | 6:13 | ||
| 3:19 | | Rushed | ||
Two of the AFL’s biggest clubs lock horns on the Apple Isle when the Hawthorn Hawks host the the Melbourne Demons at their Launceston home away from home. Follow the action from the final match of Round 14 here on The Roar with live scores from 3:20pm (AEST).
This match was moved from the MCG to Launceston during the week by the AFL, with fans still barred from attending matches in Melbourne due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions. Given the Hawks boast an impressive record at the ground, while the Bombers have never visited before, this should give the underdogs an advantage.
It’s not as if the Hawks are struggling, either. Despite sitting 17th on the ladder, Alastair Clarkson’s team head in off the back of a stunning 38-point win over finals hopeful Sydney in Round 13. Led by 34 touches from Tom Mitchell and a string of other contributors from emerging defender Changkuoth Jiath to recalled ruckman Jonathon Ceglar, it was arguably the Hawks’ finest performance since the last time they made finals in 2018.
The loss of hard nut James Worpel to a controversial suspension makes things more difficult, though it has allowed the Hawks to blood another debutant in Lachy Bramble. The 22-year old rookie was playing local footy for Sunbury just two years ago, but a string of good performances in the VFL has afforded him his first opportunity at the big time. With last round’s first-gamer Jai Newcombe setting a new AFL record for tackles on debut with 14, Bramble has plenty to live up to.
The Bombers head into this match as favourites, a sign of the trust the footy public now has in this oft-flaky side. Under new coach Ben Rutten, the Dons have come on in leaps and bounds in 2021, surprising many to sit well within reach of a finals spot at the season’s midpoint. With star midfielder Zach Merrett signing a whopping six-year deal to stay at Windy Hill during the week, things are looking rosy off-field as well.
Emerging ruckman Sam Draper, key tall Peter Wright and midfielder Devon Smith all return from injuries in a timely boost, though the loss of star Andrew McGrath to a long-term knee injury is a bitter blow.
A win would see the Bombers finish the round just a game out of the finals. Will they be returning to Melbourne with smiles, or can the Hawks bring the heat in the Launceston chill?
Game information
Opening bounce: 3:20pm (AEST)
Venue: University of Tasmania Stadium, Launceston
TV: Fox Footy
Live stream: Kayo Sports, Foxtel Now, Foxtel Go
Betting: Hawks $2.32, Bombers $1.60 (odds via PlayUp)
Teams
Hawthorn Hawks
B: 15 Blake Hardwick, 8 Sam Frost, 4 Jarman Impey
HB: 14 Jack Scrimshaw, 29 Changkuoth Jiath, 26 Liam Shiels
C: 12 Will Day, 20 Chad Wingard, 10 Jaeger O’Meara
HF: 24 James Cousins, 22 Luke Breust, 34 Jacob Koschitzke
F: 36 Dylan Moore, 7 Ben McEvoy (c), 17 Daniel Howe
FOLL: 18 Jonathon Ceglar, 3 Tom Mitchell, 9 Shaun Burgoyne
INT: 16 Lachlan Bramble, 21 Tom Phillips, 23 Tim O’Brien, 44 Jai Newcombe
EMG: 11 Conor Nash, 35 Josh Morris, 39 Emerson Jeka, 42 Tyler Brockman
IN: James Cousins, Lachlan Bramble (debut)
OUT: Harry Morrison, James Worpel
Essendon Bombers
B: 15 Jayden Laverde, 30 Brandon Zerk-Thatcher, 14 Jordan Ridley
HB: 21 Dyson Heppell (c), 17 James Stewart, 27 Mason Redman
C: 4 Kyle Langford, 7 Zach Merrett, 35 Matt Guelfi
HF: 16 Archie Perkins, 23 Harrison Jones, 5 Devon Smith
F: 25 Jake Stringer, 26 Cale Hooker, 43 Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti
FOLL: 2 Sam Draper, 3 Darcy Parish, 33 Brayden Ham
INT: 13 Nik Cox, 19 Nick Hind, 20 Peter Wright, 28 Ned Cahill
EMG: 12 Tom Cutler, 29 Patrick Ambrose, 34 Andrew Phillips, 42 Sam Durham
IN: Brandon Zerk-Thatcher, Devon Smith, Ned Cahill, Peter Wright, Sam Draper
OUT: Aaron Francis, Alec Waterman, Andrew McGrath, Andrew Phillips, David Zaharakis
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
its a real good round at the top of the ladder with 6 teams playing each other.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Unlike last week, this week is a challenge.
Birdman
Roar Rookie
Your lot couldn't....
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
Most definitely, hmm I wonder if its worth putting something on the draw, same as Carlton v Adelaide.?
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
I am sorry. I think I have been quite clinical in tipping this year. No room for sentiment. Mind you, your run home is pretty breezy. Six out of eight are gimme games. Melbourne and Port your only challenges.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
If we lose that’s 3 losses in 4 wks Fallen off the cliff status!
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
Agreed, clubs supporters need & are owed a bit of hope. Looking at it closely they have Richmond in front of them who have been the most consistent 2nd half of the year team in the last 5-6 years. I can not see Richmond falling away so it will either have to be the Swans or the Eagles who make way for them. They must win 1 of the next two games against the comps frontrunners otherwise they will be too far back.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Oh dear your record in Perth is not pretty.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Brisbane are not that good don’t rate them! Cats should win comfortably!
Chanon
Roar Rookie
We have won our last 3 against the Weagles
Chanon
Roar Rookie
We won in 16 finals series!
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
It is two versus seven. What’s your record there of late? On a personally selfish aspect. It would be better for the Cats if Eagles win. Brisbane in Brisbane after six days is no certainty for the Cats.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Fair enough l guess in second spot you don’t want to lose any margin but if dogs win you could be equal with No.1 a lot to consider?
Cat
Roar Guru
Should be beating 17th with ease.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Eagles at home, players back, confidence back. I am leaning their way.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
I need some think music on that.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Yatt you must tempted to pick dogs against Eagles
Chanon
Roar Rookie
True tough task but the bomber faithful need some hope! Personally l’m a dog supporter l don’t care either way but it’s nice on occasions to give the opposition a positive spin!
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
Rubbish. I do concede that the Bomber's form in 2021 has a bit stronger than their position on the table would indicate. But AFL history has shown us consistently that you need to win 12-13 games to play finals. So far the Bombers have won 6 from 13. To play finals, they are going to have to win 6-7 from their next 9 games. Let's review this subject again in 2 weeks time after they play Melbourne & Geelong. I wish them all the best, but I wouldn't be backing them at short odds to be playing in Sept.
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
hell yeah. Cha ching.lol.