Essendon and Hawthorn pushing for new blockbuster round 1 AFL fixture

Essendon and Hawthorn want a blockbuster rivalry clash locked in to start each season amid expectations at least 80,000 fans will flock to the MCG for their round 1 showdown.

Sam Landsberger

@samlandsberger

2 min read

March 6, 2024 - 5:49PM

News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom

MELBOURNE. 19/03/2023. AFL Round 1. Hawthorn vs Essendon at the MCG. Sam Draper of the Bombers tries to mark behind Sam Frost of the Hawks during the 3rd qtr. . Pic: Michael Klein

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Essendon and Hawthorn’s bloodthirsty rivalry from the 1980s is set to be enshrined in the football fixture as a new round 1 blockbuster played at the MCG.

The Herald Sun can reveal both clubs want to celebrate their longstanding hatred of each other by locking in a marquee match to start their seasons.

The Hawks and Bombers met in the feisty 1983, 1984 and 1985 grand finals, while next year will celebrate 100 years of their rivalry.

This season also marks 20 years since the infamous “line in the sand match”, which resulted in four players being suspended and a record $70,700 in fines being issues.

In 2009 — in a vicious match to decide eighth place — Bombers champion Matthew Lloyd knocked out Brad Sewell with a bump that sparked more mayhem.

Matthew Lloyd’s hit on Brad Sewell reignited the Hawks-Bombers rivalry.

Lloyd never played again and was one of four players suspended as another $27,000 in fines were collected.

Current Hawks coach Sam Mitchell further inflamed their animosity in 2015 when he taunted Bombers players by motioning that he was injecting his arm with a needle at the height of the drugs saga.

The Hawks hosted the Bombers in front of 68,691 fans in round 1 last year — 40 years on from their ‘83 flag.

Early ticket sales for next Saturday’s 1.45pm showdown are strong as Essendon plans to honour its 1984-85 premiership heroes.

A motorcade featuring the likes of Kevin Sheedy, Tim Watson, Terry Daniher, Simon Madden, Paul Van Der Haar, Roger Merrett and Bill Duckworth is booked for 1.05pm.

Prized recruited Ben McKay, Jade Gresham, Todd Goldstein and Xavier Duursma will also receive their maiden Essendon guernseys from one of those champions should they make their club debuts that day.

The Hawks and Bombers want a blockbuster fixture to start the season. Picture: Michael Klein

The 1984-85 premiership cups will also be on display as the clubs hope to attract 80,000 fans to the ‘G.

While neither club has won a final since 2015 it is hoped that their anticipated rises up the ladder could help grow this match into one of football’s biggest home-and-away clashes.

“We put forward the proposal with our fixture submission for 2023 and we put it forward again in 2024 and we got granted both, so we’re hoping they (the AFL) support it ongoing,” Bombers chief executive Craig Vozzo told the Herald Sun.

“Nothing’s a guarantee, but we’re hoping we can keep building it.

“We had 68,000 people there last year, we’re hoping to make it an 80,000-fan blockbuster in the afternoon slot in round 1 and breaking the all-time home-and-away attendance record between the two clubs.”

Andy McGrath launches Essendon forward against the Hawks. Picture: Michael Klein

That attendance record of 78,294 was set in 2017 when the Bombers requested a Saturday night clash against the Hawks to welcome back their players from doping bans.

The clubs are not wedded to a particular timeslot – the 2023 and 2024 games were scheduled in the afternoon – they simply want the AFL to sign off on their round 1 request.

“It’s more the fixture itself against the Hawks and perpetuating the rivalry that we’ve had for so many years,” Vozzo said.

Hawthorn chief executive Ash Klein said: “We have a rich, competitive and longstanding rivalry with Essendon.

“After facing off in round 1 last year, this clearly has potential to continue as an early blockbuster for both clubs and we will continue to advocate for that with the AFL.”