How can I watch Hawthorn Hawks vs Essendon Bombers AFL 2026 Round 20?

You can watch the Hawthorn Hawks vs Essendon Bombers AFL 2026 Round 20 game via Fox Footy or Kayo Sports. If you are watching from outside Australia, the Watch AFL service is the best option for live and on-demand coverage.

How can I buy tickets for Hawthorn Hawks vs Essendon Bombers AFL 2026 Round 20?

To buy tickets for the Hawthorn Hawks vs Essendon Bombers AFL 2026 Round 20 game, check the official AFL website or the official Hawthorn Hawks website.

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Hawthorn Hawks vs Essendon Bombers AFL Round 20 Tips - Hawks set to pile more pain on Bombers

Jeremy Darke

Editor

Last updated: Thu. 23 Jul. 2026 17:44

Jeremy Darke 23 Jul. 2026

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Hawthorn enters with 4 wins from last 5 games, high scoring and stingy defence.
Essendon broke a 12-game losing streak, but their weak defence remains a concern.
Expert tip: Back Hawthorn to cover the -53.5 line; Mabior Chol is value for multiple goals.
The game will be played at the MCG on Saturday, 25th July, with the bounce at 4:15 PM (AEST).

Hawthorn Hawks vs Essendon Bombers AFL Round 20 Tips

Hawthorn Hawks vs Essendon Bombers AFL Round 20 Expert Tips

Hawthorn has found another gear over the past month and looks primed to hand Essendon another heavy defeat.

Hawthorn Hawks vs Essendon Bombers AFL Round 20 Expert Tips
Key Points
Hawthorn Hawks vs Essendon Bombers Head-to-Head
Hawthorn Hawks Form
Essendon Bombers Form
Hawthorn Hawks vs Essendon Bombers Team List & Team News
Hawthorn Hawks vs Essendon Bombers AFL 2026 Round 20 FAQs

The Hawks have won four of their past five matches, including consecutive thrashings of Carlton and Richmond, making Hawthorn -53.5 the standout bet of the round.

Essendon's upset win over Greater Western Sydney deserves credit, but it shouldn't distract from the bigger picture. Prior to that breakthrough victory, the Bombers had lost 12 consecutive games, including defeats by 90 points to Brisbane and 67 points to St Kilda.

Hawthorn dismantled Essendon by 62 points in Round 1 and appears capable of producing a similar result.

The Hawks' team total also stands out. Hawthorn has averaged 110 points across its last five victories and has scored 103 points or more in four of its past five games. Against an Essendon defence conceding more than 100 points per game over its last five outings, another triple-figure score looks likely.

Mabior Chol provides the value in the goalscorer market. Jack Gunston and Nick Watson are understandably short-priced after their recent form, but Chol continues to find opportunities inside a forward line that creates plenty of scoring chances. He has kicked 24 goals from 13 matches this season and is capable of cashing in if Hawthorn dominates inside 50 once again.

Key Points

Hawthorn defeated Essendon by 62 points earlier this season.
Essendon lost by 90 and 67 points in its previous two defeats before upsetting GWS.
Hawthorn has averaged 110 points across its last five wins.
Mabior Chol shapes as the value goalscorer play.

Hawthorn Hawks vs Essendon Bombers Head-to-Head

Hawthorn has won the past two meetings between the clubs, including a dominant 62-point victory in Round 1 this season after also winning by 26 points in 2025. Essendon won the previous two encounters before that, but recent momentum has swung firmly towards the Hawks.

Hawthorn Hawks Form

Hawthorn sits third on the ladder with a 12-1-5 record and enters Round 20 after demolishing Richmond by 70 points. The Hawks have now won four of their past five matches while averaging 104.8 points and conceding just 79.0.

The forward line is firing on all cylinders. Mitch Lewis and Nick Watson kicked five goals each against Richmond, while Connor Macdonald, Jack Gunston and Mabior Chol continue to provide multiple scoring avenues. Hawthorn dominated Richmond across disposals, marks, tackles and inside 50s, highlighting just how complete its recent football has been.

The Hawks also continue to generate enormous attacking numbers, averaging over 56 inside 50s and more than 30 scoring shots per game this season.

Essendon Bombers Form

Essendon finally snapped a 12-game losing streak with a courageous three-point upset over Greater Western Sydney, but one result does little to erase what has been a difficult season. The Bombers lost 12 consecutive matches and have averaged only 58.2 points while conceding 100.8 in thier last 5 games.

Defensively, Essendon continues to give opposition forwards plenty of opportunities, conceding 149 points to Brisbane and 117 to St Kilda before last week's upset. Hawthorn's attacking depth looks capable of exposing those same issues.

Hawthorn Hawks vs Essendon Bombers Team List & Team News

Hawthorn Hawks

Will Day returns in Hawthorn’s only change after recovering from injury. Will McCabe has been omitted as the Hawks strengthen their midfield for the clash with Essendon.

Essendon Bombers

The Bombers have been forced into four changes, with Kyle Langford suspended, Nick Bryan and Xavier Duursma injured and Jye Caldwell managed. Ben McKay returns alongside Will Setterfield, Nick Cox and Liam Blakiston.

Hawthorn	POS	Essendon
J. Sicily, T. Barrass, B. Hardwick	B	A. McGrath, Z. Reid, J. Ridley
J. Impey, N. Mraz, J. Battle	HB	J. Prior, B. McKay, M. Redman
C. Macdonald, W. Day, B. Macdonald	C	A. Clarke, S. Durham, J. Artemis
D. Moore, M. Chol, M. D'Ambrosio	HF	D. Sharp, N. Caddy, A. Day-Wicks
N. Watson, M. Lewis, J. Gunston	F	I. Kako, P. Wright, H. El Achkar
L. Meek, J. Newcombe, C. Mackenzie	FOLL	L. Blakiston, Z. Merrett, S. Robey
J. Weddle, H. Morrison, J. Ginnivan, J. Ward, O. Greeves	I/C	J. Farrow, W. Setterfield, N. Cox, A. Roberts, M. Kondogiannis

Hawthorn Hawks vs Essendon Bombers AFL 2026 Round 20 FAQs

How can I watch Hawthorn Hawks vs Essendon Bombers AFL 2026 Round 20?
You can watch the Hawthorn Hawks vs Essendon Bombers AFL 2026 Round 20 game via Fox Footy or Kayo Sports. If you are watching from outside Australia, the Watch AFL service is the best option for live and on-demand coverage.
How can I buy tickets for Hawthorn Hawks vs Essendon Bombers AFL 2026 Round 20?
To buy tickets for the Hawthorn Hawks vs Essendon Bombers AFL 2026 Round 20 game, check the official AFL website or the official Hawthorn Hawks website.

Verdict

Hawthorn v Essendon

Essendon's breakthrough win over Greater Western Sydney was impressive, but Hawthorn presents an entirely different challenge. The Hawks should dominate territory and scoring opportunities once again, making Hawthorn -53.5 the standout play. Hawthorn should also clear 111.5 points, while Mabior Chol offers excellent value to finish with three or more goals in another high-scoring Hawks performance.

Hawthorn -53.5

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