One of the big games of AFL Round 13 will be played on Friday night, June 14, when Essendon take on Hawthorn at Marvel Stadium.
First bounce is at 7.50pm and all the action can be seen on Channel 7 and Fox Footy
Match Preview
The old sparring partners are precariously placed after their 11 matches so far this season. Both have won just five games and another loss will spell serious trouble for their respective finals hopes.
They should head in with fresh legs after enjoying the bye last weekend. Essendon won their game prior to the break, taking out a woeful Carlton outfit by 41 points, while Hawthorn were overrun against Brisbane, going down by 19 after a tight first few quarters.
The Hawks are currently 11th on the ladder, just behind the 10th placed Bombers on percentage. They trail the Dons in a number of key measures such as clearances and contested possessions.
Essendon can get on top in the middle of the ground and Dyson Heppell and Darcy Parish are among those that head in with good form, while Anthony McDonald Tipungwuti shapes as a key player up forward.
The Hawks will need more from the likes of Jack Gunston and Luke Breust, who have been a tad inconsistent this season. Gunston booted six goals against Port Adelaide a few weeks back but has kicked just 16 goals from his 11 appearances.
Selection News
Jake Stringer, Dylan Shiel and Orazio Fantasia are edging closer towards a return for Essendon. That trio are recovering from soft tissue injuries.
Hawthorn's Chad Wingard hurt his hamstring in the loss against Brisbane and is likely to miss. Jarryd Roughead is still lurking in the VFL but the Hawks may go with a small and Dylan Moore might be the best fit to replace Wingard.
Match Odds
Essendon $1.80
Hawthorn $2
*correct at the time of writing
Stats
Hawthorn claimed a classic between the two sides in Round 20 of 2018 by four points. That was the second win for the Hawks over their old rivals in 2018 as they won the Round 7 fixture by 23 points.
Hawthorn have won nine of the past 11 between the two sides. They include the last four at Marvel Stadium. Since the start of 2018, Hawthorn have won three of six at the venue. In the same time period, Essendon are eight from 11.
Prediction and Tips
Little splits the two sides but Hawthorn have a good record against their rivals and can scrape through with a win.