Key posts
Story of the season start: Youth and experience
Pre-match scenes
Essendon’s Nic Martin.Credit: Getty Images
Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley.Credit: Getty Images
Story of the season start: Youth and experience
Double debuts, twin subs
Saad El-Hawli is the sub on his debut for Essendon. Tom Cochrane is the sub on his debut for Port Adelaide. Essendon have lost their previous eight matches against Port Adelaide although their two encounters in 2023 were decided by less than a goal.
Podcast: The key thoughts on round three
Tonight’s subs
Essendon’s debutant
Essendon are bringing in attacking half-back Saad El-Hawli in for his AFL debut against Port Adelaide at Marvel Stadium tonight.
The Bombers told the former Altona and Northern Bullants star on Wednesday morning he would be making his first AFL start against the Power.
Dean Solomon congratulates debutant Saad El-Hawli before the match.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
Ahead of his debut game, El-Hawli was presented with his No.41 jumper by former Essendon player and 2000 premiership star Dean Solomon.
El-Hawli, 23, has taken a huge step forward over the past 10 months, impressing in the VFL and earning a mid-season draft call-up from the Bombers last season before finishing the VFL season strongly, including a four-goal haul against Carlton’s VFL side.
Bailey Smith, Liam Jones and Tom Stewart the big ins
By Roy Ward
Bailey Smith will return for the Cats for their crunch clash with the Brisbane Lions on Saturday night at the Gabba, while the Western Bulldogs have received a massive defensive boost with Liam Jones named to take on Charlie Curnow and the Blues on Friday night at Marvel Stadium.
In the teams announced for round three, the Bulldogs named both Liam Jones and James O’Donnell with Taylor Duryea (managed) and Arthur Jones were left out, while the Blues have Jordan Boyd and Francis Evans coming in for Lucas Camporeale and Cooper Lord.
The Cats will welcome back former Bulldogs star Smith after he was a late withdrawal for last round’s loss to St Kilda with a calf issue. Mark O’Connor will make way for him.
Five-time All-Australian defender Tom Stewart has retained his place in the Geelong side despite injuring his knee against St Kilda.
The Lions have their own big guns returning with premiership-winning duo Charlie Cameron and Kai Lohmann boosting the forward line, replacing the omitted Conor McKenna and Will McLachlan.
GWS Giants have bulked up their side to face Hawthorn in Launceston on Saturday night, with Coleman medallist Jesse Hogan, star ruckman Kieren Briggs, and club debutant Jake Stringer coming in for Callum Brown, Max Gruzewski and James Leake omitted.
The Hawks have made just one change, with Luke Breust joining the bench for the injured Connor Macdonald. Among other big names returning are Richmond’s Tom Lynch, who will face St Kilda at Marvel Stadium on Saturday afternoon, and Melbourne’s Steven May and Jake Melksham who will also face Gold Coast on Saturday.
Vote: Who wins tonight?
Red and black heartache
Good evening and welcome
Hello and welcome from Marvel Stadium.
It’s a vital night for Essendon, who are striving to avoid a 0-3 start to a VFL/AFL season for just the second time since 1967. Even in 2016, when the Bombers list was decimated by the drugs saga suspensions, they won in round two.
