Table of Contents
Friday night footy is back in Melbourne, and we’ve got a blockbuster clash as the Hawthorn Hawks host the Essendon Bombers at the MCG.
The Hawks kicked off their 2025 campaign in style, securing a hard-fought 96-76 win over the Swans at the SCG in Round 0. They looked sharp, and with a strengthened backline featuring key recruits Tom Barrass and Josh Battle, they’ll be eager to build on their breakout 2024 season.
The Bombers, on the other hand, are looking for redemption after a disappointing finish to last season, where they won just three of their final 12 games. However, they showed promising signs in the preseason with a strong win over the Cats in Geelong and have started well in recent seasons.
Will the Hawks continue their early-season momentum, or will the Bombers do what they so often do—come out firing and make a statement? Strap in for a massive Friday night showdown!
Here is a Hawthorn Hawks vs Essendon Bombers Prediction for Round 1 of the 2025 AFL Season.
Be sure to check back before each AFL Match for AFL Tips, AFL Predictions, AFL Picks, AFL Previews, AFL Tipping and AFL Quick Facts for each match of the 2025 AFL Season.
Hawthorn Hawks vs Essendon Bombers
Venue – MCG
Bouncedown – 7.40pm EST
2024 Season Record
| Team | W-L-D | Home | Away |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawthorn | 14-9-0 | 8-3 | 6-6 |
| Essendon | 11-11-1 | 6-4-1 | 5-7 |
2024 Season Scoring
| Team | Pts | Opp Pts | Game Total Ave |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawthorn | 90.9 | 76.6 | 167.5 |
| Essendon | 82.2 | 88 | 170.2 |
Quick Game Facts
- Hawthorn has turned their home ground into a fortress, winning their last eight games on home soil
- History suggests a shootout is on the cards—seven of the last eight Hawks vs. Bombers clashes have gone OVER the total match points line
- The Bombers have struggled under the lights, losing their last five night games by margins of 1-39 points. Can they break the trend?
Prediction
The Hawks were impressive last week, but they’ll face a Bombers side known for fast starts to AFL seasons. Essendon looked sharp in their preseason hit-out against the Cats and will be eager to make a statement. The Hawks, now the new premiership favorites, should get the job done, but don’t be surprised if the Bombers stick around and make this a competitive contest.
Prediction – Hawthorn (Win)
Check below for the predictions of some of the other Round 1 AFL Matches.