ESSENDON has decided not to tinker with a winning formula, naming an unchanged line-up for tonight’s blockbuster against Hawthorn.

The Bombers defeated pre-season buzz team North Melbourne by 39 points last Friday night in a display Hawks Coach Alastair Clarkson described as making the Roos look “inept”.

Captain Jobe Watson. was best afield with 38 disposals and two goals, while Dyson Heppell was also brilliant in the midfield with 37 touches.

Brendon Goddard gathered 26 possessions and kicked three goals and Paul Chapman kicked four goals from 22 disposals.

The Bombers have named a tall forward line, with Joe Daniher (201cm), Jake Carlisle (198cm) and Kyle Hardingham (186cm) all named up forward.

Ruckman Patrick Ryder (196cm) will also spend time up forward to stretch Hawthorn’s defence that is missing Brian Lake, Ben Stratton and Ryan Schoenmakers.
 

The teams

Hawthorn

FB: Hodge Gibson Burgoyne
HB: Suckling Cheney Birchall
C: Shiels Mitchell Hill
HF: Breust Roughead Smith
FF: Gunston Hale Rioli
FOLL: McEvoy Langford Lewis
I/C: Puopolo O'Brien Simpkin Duryea

EMERG: Spangher Litherland Wanganeen

Essendon

FB: Baguley Hooker Fletcher                       
HB: Hibberd Hurley Goddard                       
C: Zaharakis Watson Heppell                      
HF: Chapman Carlisle Ambrose                     
FF: Stanton Daniher Hardingham                   
FOLL: Ryder Hocking Howlett                                      
I/C: Gleeson Myers Z Merrett J Merrett   

EMERG: Ashby Colyer Kavanagh