The 2025 AFL season rolls on with a blockbuster showdown between fierce rivals Hawthorn and Essendon at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday, March 14.
Here, GOAL brings you everything you need to know about how to watch Hawthorn vs Essendon in the AFL, plus plenty more.
Hawthorn vs Essendon date and start time
Date | Friday, March 14, 2025 |
Start time | 7:40 pm AEDT/ 6:40 pm AEST/ 6:10 pm ACST/ 4:40 pm AWST |
Venue | MCG |
Location | Melbourne, Australia |
How to watch Hawthorn vs Essendon on TV & stream live online
There are several options to watch the Hawthorn vs Essendon AFL game in Australia, including Network Seven, Foxtel, Foxtel from Telstra, and Kayo Sports.
The best way to livestream the aforementioned AFL game is through Kayo with a seven-day free trial. It also does not have a lock-in contract or equipment fees, which means you can cancel anytime if you are no longer using it.
All you need to decide is whether you want to pick Kayo Standard at $25 per month (1 stream and up to HD), or Kayo Premium at $40 per month (2 streams and up to 4K).
What channel is Hawthorn vs Essendon game on?
The game will be broadcast live on Channel 7 and 7mate on free-to-air TV and live streaming. It will also be available to watch Fox Footy and Binge on pay TV. Triple M, ABC and AFL Nation will provide the radio coverage.
Streaming the game with a VPN
- Overview of VPN services that allow access to geo-restricted streams
- How to set up and use a VPN service to stream the match
You can watch the game from wherever you are in the world by using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) service such as NordVPN/ ExpressVPN. A VPN will allow you to create a secure connection online when you are abroad on holiday or for work and you want to stream the game live.
If you are not sure which VPN to use or how to use a VPN, we have taken a look at the best options available out there for watching live sports - check out the best VPN services review here.
Here’s an easy step-by-step guide on how to use a VPN to watch a game when you are overseas:
- Install VPN of your choice - see our reviews here for the best options.
- Select the location you wish to connect to. This is easy - if you are visiting the UK and you wish to continue watching one of your U.S. streaming services, you would select the US.
- Grab the popcorn and get ready to watch!
Hawthorn vs Essendon team news & confirmed lineups
The Hawks were impressive against the Swans, dictating the midfield battle and dominating inside 50s. Will Day was electric early, racking up 17 disposals and slotting three goals in the first half, while James Sicily made his presence felt at both ends of the ground. Defensive recruit Tom Barrass also made an immediate impact, neutralizing Sydney’s key forwards. The only downside for Hawthorn was an ankle injury to James Worpel, who is set to miss the next three to four weeks. Even so, their depth and contested ball strength make them a formidable force, particularly on the MCG stage.
For Essendon, the lack of match action adds an element of unpredictability. However, they looked sharp in their pre-season hitout against Geelong, with youngsters Elijah Tsatas, Isaac Kako, and Nate Caddy showing plenty of promise. The Bombers will look to their pace and clean ball movement to unsettle the Hawks, but injuries remain a concern. Darcy Parish (back), Peter Wright (ankle), and Matt Guelfi (hamstring) are all unavailable, which could stretch their depth. Last season, Essendon ranked among the top eight in inside 50s and contested possessions—two key areas where Hawthorn dominated last week. If the Bombers can match the Hawks' intensity around the contest, they have the firepower to make this a tightly contested affair.
Hawthorn Hawks | Position | Essendon |
|---|---|---|
Tom Barrass , Blake Hardwick , Massimo D’Ambrosio | FB | Andrew McGrath , Ben McKay , Jordan Ridley |
Jack Scrimshaw , Jarman Impey , Josh Battle | HB | Mason Redman , Zach Reid , Jaxon Prior |
Dylan Moore , Conor Nash , James Sicily | C | Nic Martin , Jye Caldwell , Archie Roberts |
Connor Macdonald , Harry Morrison , Nick Watson | HF | Nate Caddy , Kyle Langford , Archie Perkins |
Jack Ginnivan , Mabior Chol , Will Day | F | Harrison Jones , Sam Draper , Isaac Kako |
Lloyd Meek , Josh Ward , Karl Amon | FOL | Nick Bryan , Sam Durham , Zach Merrett |
Josh Weddle , Jai Newcombe , Cam Mackenzie , Finn Maginness , Sam Frost | IC | Elijah Tsatas , Ben Hobbs , Dylan Shiel , Jade Gresham , Xavier Duursma |
Changkuoth Jiath , Jack Gunston , Luke Breust | EMG | Jye Menzie , Saad El-Hawli , Thomas Edwards |
Head to Head
Essendon has won four of the previous five head-to-head results against Hawthorn.
- 2024: Bombers 107-83 Hawks
- 2023: Hawks 65-124 Bombers
- 2022: Bombers 108-81 Hawks
- 2021: Hawks 73-86 Bombers
- 2021: Bombers 91-92 Hawks