Essendon vs. Hawthorn
Saturday 25 March
7:25pm (AEDT)
Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)
There are no late changes for the Bombers.
FINAL INTERCHANGES
Essendon: Andrew McGrath, Darcy Parish, Brent Stanton, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti
Hawthorn: Billy Hartung, James Sicily, Will Langford, Ricky Henderson
Essendon
B: Mark Baguley, Michael Hartley, Andrew McGrath
HB: Brendon Goddard, Michael Hurley, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti
C: Orazio Fantasia, Dyson Heppell, James Kelly
HF: Travis Colyer, Cale Hooker, Zach Merrett
F: Shaun McKernan, Joe Daniher, Josh Green
R: Patrick Ambrose, Jobe Watson, David Zaharakis
I: Darcy Parish, Brent Stanton, Martin Gleeson, Kyle Langford
E: James Stewart, Ben Howlett, Matt Dea
The recent history
R12, 2016, Hawthorn 23.13 (151) d Essendon 6.7 (43) at Etihad Stadium
R13, 2015, Hawthorn 16.14 (114) d Essendon 11.10 (76) at the MCG
R2, 2015, Essendon 12.6 (78) d Hawthorn 11.10 (76) at the MCG
R2, 2014, Hawthorn 13.12 (90) d Essendon 12.14 (86) at Etihad Stadium
R18, 2013, Hawthorn 22.11 (143) d Essendon 13.9 (87) at Etihad Stadium
Scott Lucas’ key factors
Keep the speed around the ball
“The Hawks aren’t a quick team and we saw that in last year’s finals.
“So with Colyer, Walla and some of the other players – get them up and around the football and involved in the game and the forward chains will be critical to success."
Isolate the backs
“Hawthorn zone's off very well as a backline so the Essendon players need to be able to isolate them.
“If Hooker and Daniher can get one-on-ones with their direct opponents that’s going to be important and also the pressure they’re going to apply as forwards.
“Hawthorn like to start their game at half back. They link up well, kick the footy well.
“If they (Essendon) can pressure and turnover, they’ll score on the turnover."
Win the contested ball
“For Hawthorn that was an area of weakness for them last year.
“Heppell, Watson, Zach Merrett and the starting mids – it’s really important they get on top at the stoppages and the contested ball.
“If we can have a positive differential in that area it’ll go a long way to providing an area of superiority for the Bombers."
Attack from defence
“With Breust, Puopolo, Rioli – you’ve got three dynamic small forwards that apply enormous pressure.
“They were the number one team in scoring from forward half intercepts last year.
“So what the Bombers backs need to do is remain positive and if they get run down early maintain that confidence and continue to take the game on.
“If they go safe coming out of the backline, Hawthorn will press up and sweat on them."
Consistency
“We’ve seen with the players coming into the team during the JLT Community Series – at times there has been a quarter here or a quarter there where they’ve lapsed and let the opposition get on top.
“Being able to play the full 120 minutes is going to be critical."
The key match-ups
Patrick Ambrose v Jack Gunston
Gunson has kicked more than 50 goals in each of the past three seasons but also has the ability to play higher up the field. Ambrose shapes as a likely match-up given his running capacity and body strength.
Dons v Cyril Rioli
Mark Baguley, Martin Gleeson and Andrew McGrath are also potential match-ups for Rioli. The Hawthorn forward has averaged 19 disposals and two goals against Essendon in the last three meetings.
McKernan v McEvoy
In his 50th game, McKernan will be undersized but his mobility and ability to go forward and kick goals will be something the Dons look to utilise.
