Hawthorn chase fourth straight win over Essendon
Hawthorn meet Essendon at MCG, Saturday 7:45pm (AFL, Round 3). Essendon have won 103 of the 172 meetings with Hawthorn since 1925.
The big picture
Hawthorn are 16–7–2 in AFL 2026, averaging 98.2 points for and 82.1 against.
Essendon are 2–21 in AFL 2026, averaging 69.6 points for and 107.7 against.
Form
Hawthorn have won two of their last five and most recently lost to Brisbane Lions 122–131.
Essendon have won zero of their last five and most recently lost to Port Adelaide 95–105.
Essendon have lost their last five.
Head to head
These sides have met 172 times on our records since 1925: Hawthorn 69, Essendon 103.
Last time out (2026, Round 20), Hawthorn won 132–39 at MCG.
Hawthorn have won the last three against Essendon.
Biggest margin between these two: Hawthorn by 160 points in 1992 (216–56).
Players to watch
For Hawthorn, watch Jai Newcombe (25.5 disposals a game, 8 goals in 2026) and Josh Ward (22.5 disposals a game, 6 goals in 2026).
For Essendon, watch Archie Roberts (28.1 disposals a game, 2 goals in 2026) and Zach Merrett (27.3 disposals a game, 10 goals in 2026).
Milestone watch
Nate Caddy is set to play game 50.
At MCG
Hawthorn have won 10 of their last 17 at MCG.
Essendon have won 1 of 13 at MCG.
What the numbers say
On form and history, Hawthorn have the edge.
Written automatically from Lineball's own match and player database. Not betting advice.
