Rd 20 - Hawthorn vs Essendon - Sat 04/08 1:45pm MCG

[Trindacut]

With great rivals meeting and plenty at stake, the MCG on Saturday afternoon is the place to be. That's particularly so for the Hawks, who have won five from seven there this year, although perhaps not for the Bombers, who have won just one from six visits. Still, with eight wins from their last 10 matches, the Bombers are one of the most in-form teams in the competition and their run and spread will cause headaches for Hawthorn. A key for the Hawks will be to win the clearances and control possession because once pacy Dons such as Conor McKenna and Adam Saad get hold of the ball they can move it the length of the field, as they did against the tiring Swans last week and get the scoreboard ticking over. The Hawks are the fourth highest scoring team in the AFL this year and the Dons will likely need to kick more than 100 points to beat them.

[Trindacut]

Matt Dea (Concussion) replaced by Ben McNiece
Matt Guilfi (Illness) replaced by Travis Colyer

Essendon by 15