Live AFL 2021, Hawthorn Hawks vs Essendon Bombers, Round 14: Live scores, updates, video, stats, live stream, live blog, news

Essendon wants revenge for a Round 1 stunner, and to move just a win outside of the top eight, against an improved Hawthorn in the final game of Round 14.

The Hawks (3-9, 79%) played clearly their best game of the season last week, knocking off Sydney on the road in a Friday night boilover.

The Bombers (5-7, 102%) are looking to make amends for the opening round of this season, when they led Hawthorn by 40 points in the second quarter but still lost.

Stream selected Fox Footy shows on Kayo Freebies completely free this June including AFL 360, On The Couch, Bounce & more. No Credit Card. No Brainer. Register Free Now >

QUARTER-BY-QUARTER MATCH REPORT

There were no late changes for either side. Conor Nash (HAW) and Tom Cutler (ESS) were named the medical substitutes.

Essendon ruckman Sam Draper made his present felt early in his return match from an ankle injury, taking two big marks.

Chad Wingard and Harry Jones botched opportunities from either end of the ground as both teams failed to make the most of their chances early, while Cale Hooker’s set shot went into Sam Frost’s face – who was manning the mark.

Jones finally put through the first goal of the match with seven minutes left in the opening term with a routine set shot from point blank range.

The Hawks continued to be ineffective in front of goal but managed to convert one of their shots through Jacob Koschitzke, while Jake Stringer’s soccer kick off the grand sailed through the big sticks to extend Essendon’s lead late in the quarter.

“He’s been watching the Euros!” Eddie McGuire said on Fox Footy.

The Bombers took an 11-point lead into quarter-time 3.2 (20) to 1.3 (9).

Anthony McDonald-Tipingwuti booted the first goal of the second term to extend the Bombers’ lead to 17 points.

Koschitzke missed two shots early in the second quarter as Hawthorn’s wayward kicking started to become a real issue.

“Costing themselves opportunities here to stay in touch with the Bombers,” Saints great Nick Riewoldt said on Fox Footy.

Tom Mitchell, who had found a ton of the ball with a game-high 18 disposals plus five score involvements, steadied the ship for the Hawks with a snap goal late in the term to keep his team in the game.

Luke Breust continued his team’s purple patch with a snap around his body, while Chad Wingard ran into an open goal minutes later to give the Hawks the lead.

“We’ve got ourselves a real ball game now,” Anthony Hudson said on Fox Footy.

“Half-time can’t come quick enough for Ben Rutten.”

Hawks great Jordan Lewis added: “Momentum is with Hawthorn at the moment.”

Stringer had the last laugh of the half, booting a snap goal with seconds left to revive ascendancy on the scoreboard for the Bombers.

The Dons led by two points at the main break 5.3 (33) to 4.7 (31).

Stringer continued his strong form from the first half, booting the first goal of the third term, his third for the day.

“This is a commanding performance,” Riewoldt said.

Koschitzke responded for the Hawks with the next goal, but the Bombers started to get their running game going to take momentum.

Ned Cahill got on the end of an exciting play through the middle to extend the Dons’ lead back to eight points.

Just as the Bombers were getting on top, the Hawks kicked the next two goals to retain the lead – the second coming from a clumsy moment between two Essendon defenders.

But the Dons came charging back with back-to-back goals, including a massive long-bomb from Nick Hind.

Hind’s running game was a massive factor in the third term, taking the game on with exciting charges down UTAS Stadium.

“He has to be the value recruit of the year,” Anthony Hudson exclaimed.

It was a thrilling eight-goal quarter between both sides, with the Dons ultimately taking a three-point lead into three-quarter time 9.5 (59) to 8.8 (56).

“We’re in for an absolute cracker,” McGuire said.

The Bombers kicked two of the opening three goals of the third quarter, with Stringer booting a freak goal after a fend off from 40 metres out, his fourth for the day.

“He is putting on a performance, this could be a circus the way he’s going today,” McGuire said.

Riewoldt added: “There’s a bit of Dusty Martin about it from the grand final last year.”

The Bombers opened up a 13-point lead halfway through the fourth term after a well-manoeuvred link up found Matt Guelfi wide open in the goal square.

The Hawks suffered a blow late in the quarter with Changkuoth Jiath exiting the game and going down to the rooms with an unknown issue.

Alastair Clarkson’s men continued to fight, with Luke Breust’s late goal reducing the margin to six points.

“It’s coming down to a nail-biter here tonight,” Alastair Lynch said.

But Darcy Parish would put the nail in the coffin, kicking the match-sealing goal with 50 seconds left to get Essendon out to a 13-point advantage.

Get all the latest AFL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!

Follow Hawthorn v Essendon in our live blog below!