SUMMARY
A theme of comebacks and new eras headline this blockbuster clash of two archrivals.
For the Hawks, they welcome back newly appointed captain Jarryd Roughead from his one year absence after recovering from cancer treatment. He leads a new-look line-up for the Hawks, who for the first year since 2002 are without both Sam Mitchell and Jordan Lewis. Their off-season departures were met with the news that the Hawks had secured talented trio Jaeger O'Meara, Tom Mitchell and Ty Vickery, who will all debut in the brown and gold on Saturday night.
While for the Bombers, there has ultimately been a four-year countdown to this night. An abundance of talent returns to a side that will be led by recently appointed skipper Dyson Heppell. With a monster round one crowd expected, the first bounce on Saturday night will signal a new era for a club that has endured such torment of such a long period of time.
Read: Hawthorn announce Round 1 team
WHERE AND WHEN: MCG, Saturday, March 25, 7.25pm AEDT
TV AND RADIO:
TV: Live on Fox Footy
Radio: Triple M, 3AW, ABC, ABC Grandstand
WHAT HAPPENED LAST TIME
R12, 2016, Hawthorn 23.13 (151) d Essendon 6.7 (43) at Etihad Stadium
In a challenging season for the Bombers, this night was arguably their lowest point as they fell to their only triple-digit margin of the year to a rampaging Hawk line-up. The Hawks forwards feasted on a scoring frenzy, as Jack Gunston, Paul Puopolo and Luke Breust all kicked four goals, while Cyril Rioli was one of the best players on the ground, adding three goals to his night out.
LAST FIVE TIMES
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
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
Hawthorn
1. Undoubtedly the biggest story of the night for Hawks fans is the return of Jarryd Roughead. After being on the sidelines for the entire 2016 season, Roughead returned in the JLT Series in fine form, averaging 19 disposals throughout the pre-season games. The new skipper looked especially threatening throughout his stints in the midfield.
2.Hawks fans anxieties over the departures of club stalwarts Sam Mitchell and Jordan Lewis have already been put to bed with the impressive pre-season performances of incomers Jaeger O'Meara and Tom Mitchell. Watch for this premier pair to fit straight into the Hawks game-style on the MCG.
3.Despite kicking 30 goals from his 22 games in a break-out season last year, James Sicily has played the bulk of his pre-season in the Hawks backline. A smart player with sure hands, Sicily has shown promising signs in unfamiliar territory. Hawks fans will be keen to see how far this experiment extends into the season proper.
Essendon
1. Having been upgraded to the senior list mid-week, Shaun McKernan was the Dons next best option at the ruck position after losing Matthew Leuenberger and Tom Bellchambers to injuries. McKernan demanded selection after thriving in his teammates' absence in the Bombers final JLT clash against Geelong, collecting 21 disposals, 19 hit-outs, two tackles and three goals. Watch for the mobile ruckman to try to challenge Ben McEvoy around the ground.
2.Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti was a shining light in a dark year for Essendon this year. His daring attack on the footy and dashing runs off the half-back line quickly catapulted him into fan favouritism. This year, Essendon coach John Worsfold has plans to move the dynamic player into the forward line. The Hawks will have to be weary of Tipungwuti as he tries to wreak havoc with his defensive pressure.
3.The Essendon outfit is littered with speed and players with a high-skill level. Despite failing to register a win in the JLT Series, the Bombers would have intimidated opposition scouts when they were able to get into space with their pace and ball-use. The Hawks will be trying to limit the impact of some of Essendon's most dangerous users in Zach Merrett, Brendan Goddard and James Kelly.
THE SIX POINTS
1. This game will mark just the fourth time Jaeger O'Meara has played at the MCG. The Hawks will be keen for him to continue to improve his winning record at the "home of footy", where it is currently two wins and one loss.
2.O'Meara and fellow recruit Tom Mitchell were among the stand-outs for the Hawks in the JLT Series. Mitchell averaged 27.5 disposals on 77.5% game time across his two matches, while O'Meara picked up an average of 20.3 touches per outing despite only receiving an average of 70% time on ground throughout his three trial games.
3.This will be the first time since JLT1 that senior coach Alastair Clarkson has held the coaching reins. Clarkson, famous for grooming his assistants, gave Cameron Bruce (against North Melbourne in JLT2) and Adam Yze (Port Adelaide, JLT3) a chance to experience the coaching caper as the four-time premiership coach headed to the U.S. on a study tour.
4.Newly appointed captains Jarryd Roughead and Dyson Heppell share an interesting thing in common, with both originating from the small, country town of Leongatha. The town, with a population of around 6,000 people, will be beaming with pride as they watch their two products go head-to-head in an MCG blockbuster.
5.In season 2016, Essendon trailed only the premiers, the Western Bulldogs, for the most uncontested possessions per game. A game-plan ploy by coach John Worsfold to limit the damage opposing teams could do to his young side, expect Essendon, with the return of seasoned, senior bodies, to play a more contested brand of footy this year.
6.Six of the ten senior-listed Bombers returning from their doping ban have been picked for the clash against the Hawks.
IT'S A BIG GAME FOR …
Ty Vickery (Hawthorn): Playing his first game for the Hawks, the former Tiger will be keen to make an instant impression on his new fans. Entering his ninth year in the league, the forward-ruck has shown promising signs in his three JLT Series games and is ready to convert that form in the season proper.
Josh Green (Essendon): Another recruit set to debut in his new colours, Green made his move to Essendon at the end of last season somewhat inconspicuously. The talented small forward could prove a valuable acquisition for the Bombers, as he is a proven goal-kicker, leading the Lions tally in back-to-back years between 2014 and 2015.
