Round 1 in the AFL continues on Friday night with another pair of old rivals locking horns, with Hawthorn taking on Essendon at the home of footy. The Hawks got their campaign off to a winning start in Opening Round, and the Bombers will be aiming to do the same in their season opener on Friday. As always, we have you covered with a full match preview, best bet, and Same Game Multi below!
Also, Before You Bet will be providing free previews and betting tips for EVERY game in the 2025 AFL season, so make sure to head over to out our AFL Tips regularly to keep up to date with all of our free content.
Hawthorn vs Essendon
Location: MCG – Melbourne
Date: Friday, 14th March
Time: 7:40pm AEDT
Odds: Hawthorn ($1.28) vs Essendon ($1.92)
Line: Hawthorn -22.5
Points: 170.5
Odds and lines provided with thanks to Dabble. Note that odds and lines can fluctuate throughout the week, and are correct at the time of writing.
Match Preview
Hawthorn and Essendon will renew their fierce rivalry in a Round 1 Friday night clash at the MCG. The Hawks made an early statement last week, securing a 20-point victory over Sydney in the Opening Round. Essendon, however, had their scheduled match against Gold Coast postponed due to Cyclone Alfred, meaning this will be their first competitive hit-out of the season. The Bombers have won their last two Round 1 meetings with the Hawks, including a 24-point victory last year, and will be eager to start their campaign with an upset.
Hawthorn looked strong against the Swans, controlling the midfield battle and winning the inside 50 count comfortably. Will Day was dominant early, collecting 17 disposals and three goals in the first half, while James Sicily had an impact at both ends of the ground. New recruit Tom Barrass also impressed in defence and completely nullified the Swans talls. The only setback was an ankle injury to James Worpel, who will miss the next 3-4 weeks. Despite this, the Hawks’ depth and contested ball dominance make them a formidable opponent, especially at the MCG.
Essendon enters this match with some uncertainty due to their postponed game, but they were sharp in their pre-season win over Geelong. Youngsters Elijah Tsatas, Isaac Kako, and Nate Caddy all showed promise, and the Bombers will look to their speed and ball movement to trouble the Hawks. They do have key injury concerns, with Darcy Parish (back), Peter Wright (ankle), and Matt Guelfi (hamstring) all sidelined. However, Essendon was a top-eight team in inside 50s and contested possessions last season, two areas where the Hawks excelled last week. If they can match Hawthorn’s intensity, they have the weapons to be competitive.
The Bombers are known for starting seasons strongly before fading later in the year, and this presents an opportunity to catch Hawthorn off guard. Their defensive structures will need to hold firm against a Hawks side that applied heavy forward-half pressure against Sydney. If they can disrupt Hawthorn’s midfield dominance and use their speed to transition the ball efficiently, they are more than capable of making this a close contest.
Hawthorn rightfully enters as the favourite, but Essendon should not be underestimated. The Hawks’ midfield depth and defensive strength give them the edge, but the Bombers’ Round 1 record and ability to match Hawthorn in key statistical areas make them a genuine chance of causing an upset. At the very least, Essendon should be able to keep the margin within reach and cover the +22.5 spread.
Essendon +22.5
$1.92 (1.5 Units)
Same Game Multi
Throughout the 2025 AFL season we’ll be putting together a fun same game multi for every match at BoomBet using their BetShare feature.
To follow our multi, just click on the BoomBet BetShare button below and our same game multi selections will be added straight into your bet slip on BoomBet. You can then enter how much you wish to wager, and with a single click, your bet has been placed!
Nick Watson 2+ Goals – Couldn’t get near it last weekend but gets back to the open spaces of the MCG here where he thrives. Kicked 4 & 3 goals in his last two games at the ‘G last season, and I like him to bounce back here.
Isaac Kako 1+ Goals – Lit it up in the preseason and looks like he’s ready to make an immediate impact at AFL level. The Hawks are extremely tall in defence, so there will be opportunities for the Bombers smalls to get involved.
Elijah Tsatas 20+ Disposals – Another one that looks like he’s ready to make an impact. Had 31 touches in their official practice game and led the team in CBA’s. He looks as though he’s finally going to get the opportunity to play in his natural position as an inside mid.
Cam Mackenzie 15+ Disposals – Had big wraps coming into the season and was solid against the Swans last weekend with 16 disposals. He’s one that should benefit from the injury to Worpel with more midfield minutes.
SGM Odds: $5.00 at BoomBet
