Hawthorn v Essendon betting tips & multi picks | AFL Rd 1 2023

Hawthorn will unleash out some of their talented youngsters when they host Essendon at the MCG on Sunday for a AFL round one contest steeped in acrimonious history.

While pre-season form should be taken lightly, the Hawks were far more impressive in their warm-up match than the Bombers, who looked downright average as they adjust to a change of coaching personnel.

The Hawks were brave in their loss to Collingwood in their final tune-up, hitting the lead deep in the third quarter only to be overrun late. They generated plenty of scoring opportunities and some of their young talent put up encouraging performances.

Newcomer Cam Mackenzie was most impressive with 24 disposals and one goal and looks a ready-made midfield ball winner. The Hawks’ list is littered with such prospects and the side might spring some surprises as the season unfolds.

Essendon produced a poor effort in the practice round with a miserable 35 points loss to the Saints. Scoring was almost impossible, and the Bomber’s 3.14 return was akin to an amateur match. The scrappy affair flattered neither side, but the Bombers were borderline embarrassing.

Fans can only hope that new coach Brad Scott is working on a grander scheme that will be revealed in the fullness of time. There were no positives to emerge from the warm-up and the opening quarter of this game will tell us where the Bombers are truly placed.

Key match-up — Newcombe v Merrett

Hawthorn midfielder Jai Newcomb played all 22 games last year and amassed some excellent numbers. The 21-year-old averaged 22.5 disposals, 4.6 tackles, and 3.9 clearances and still has plenty of upside. He has the perfect modern day midfield physique at 187cm and 92kg. With another off-season’s worth of strength and conditioning he is ready to graduate to the next level after narrowly losing the club’s most recent best and fairest award.

Essendon midfielder Zach Merrett battled valiantly in the practice match loss and his leadership will be crucial to the side’s 2022 chances. Merrett averages 30.1 disposals, 4.3 tackles and 4.6 clearances making him one of the competition’s most effective midfielders. The dual All Australian is coming into his prime at age 27 and should accumulate more accolades in the years to come.

Hawks v Bombers betting strategy & best bet tip

Betting markets are unperturbed by the pre-season efforts and have installed the Bombers as warm favourites with the line set at 8.5 points. Rain is forecast and we are leaning toward the unders in what promises to be a low scoring affair. This will be the fourth game at the MCG over the weekend and conditions will be a little choppy under foot. On that note we are tipping under 172.5 total points.

Hawthorn vs Essendon same game multi tips

For those chasing additional value, we suggest linking under 172.5 points into Peter Wright two or more goals, into Jai Newcombe 25 plus disposals. This triple header will return $4.81 courtesy of PalmerBet. ‘

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