Essendon vs Hawthorn Preview & Prediction | 2026 AFL | Regular Season | Round 1

Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!

Rivals Essendon and Hawthorn meet on Friday with the visitors looking to bounce back from last week's defeat to GWS Giants.

Kick-off date/time:

How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / USA – Some matches are televised on Fox Sports channels

How to watch online: UK – discovery+ & Watch AFL / USA – Watch AFL

The prediction

Essendon contest their first match of the 2026 season after sitting out Opening Round, although they will do so without several key players due to some severe misfortune when it comes to the injury department.

Expectations for the season are significantly lower than usual due to a number of long-term absentees, and despite home-ground advantage here, they are very much underdogs in this opener.

Hawthorn are already up-and-running for the season, although the Hawks disappointedly lost to an understrength GWS Giants last week.

Head coach Sam Mitchell has demanded a response from his side, and the visitors are sure to take the fight to Essendon in what has been a heated rivalry over the years.

Given the personnel situation, we're backing Hawthorn to record a comfortable win here.

Essendon vs Hawthorn tip: Hawthorn to win with -17.5 handicap