AFL Match Preview: Brown and gold battle with Blues

Hawthorn will visit the MCG for a Thursday night clash with Carlton.

Hawthorn returns to the MCG in Round 2 to take on Carlton under lights in Thursday night footy.

The match marks the Hawks first Thursday night home and away game since facing the Crows at Adelaide Oval in Round 14 of 2017.

Hawthorn has started the year with two wins after victories over the Swans and Bombers, while the Blues went down in their opening match of the season.

Here's all you need to know ahead of the game:

WHO: Carlton v Hawthorn

WHAT: Round 2

WHERE: MCG

WHEN: Thursday 20 March

TIME: 7.30pm AEDT

BROADCAST: Channel 7 and Fox Footy/Kayo

How to watch

Following along at home? The game will be broadcast free to air on Channel 7 and also on Fox Footy and can be streamed through Kayo.

Don’t have Kayo? Click HERE to check out our Hawks on Demand membership and save on 12 months of Kayo.

Follow @hawthornfc on Instagram, X and Facebook to remain updated on all the behind-the-scenes action on game day.

Last time we met

Hawthorn (112) defeated Carlton (38) in Round 22, 2024.

Hawthorn surged into the top 8 for the first time in 2024 after a 74-point victory over the Blues in front of 84,773 at the MCG on Sunday afternoon.

The Hawks kicked 13 goals to just two after quarter-time, reaching half-time 33 points ahead after kicking all five goals of the second quarter.

Led by captain James Sicily in defence and his right-hand man Josh Weddle, who kicked three goals from defence, one a long-range set shot from the 50-metre arc. With Dylan Moore and Massimo D'Ambrosio among the best afield, while young gun Calsher Dear finished with three goals from 12 disposals.

Veteran Jack Gunston was impactful, also with three goals to his name, while Jack Ginnivan and Luke Breust finished with two each.

What's On

Hawthorn defender Jarman Impey will play his 200th AFL game. He was traded to the Hawks in 2017 and has since played 124 games in the brown and gold, he previously played 75 games with Port Adelaide across four seasons.

MCG Inclusion Project

The Inclusion Project is proudly partnering with the Hawthorn Football Club to assist with making the match-day experience more accessible for those living with hidden disabilities.

Sensory Room

We will be operating a Sensory Room supported by an Occupational Therapist who will be available to assist fans as needed in the space.

Inclusion Project Officers

We will also have our Inclusion Project Officers at main entrances to assist if you require during the match.

If you have any questions or assistance head to Gate 3 and look for our Inclusion Project Officers.

MCG Inclusion spaces

Changing Places bathroom (Level 1, Gate 3 - Olympic Stand)

Parent Rooms (Level 1)

All Gender Bathroom (Level B1, Gate 1 - Ponsford Stand)

Bins 4 Blokes

Hidden Disabilities Sunflower

'G Train Mobility Buggy Service

Sensory Room (Located within the Australian Sports Museum, Gate 3)

Multi Faith Prayer Room (Level B1, behind M13)

FOLLOW THE INCLUSION PROJECT FOR MORE DETAILS

100 years of Hawthorn v Carlton

Hawthorn’s first VFL-AFL Final was against Carlton in 1957. The Hawks won by 23 points after a hailstorm hit the MCG at half-time.

John Platten received two Brownlow votes for his brilliant debut against Carlton in 1986.

Hawthorn won 14 consecutive games against Carlton from 2005 to 2016.

Lance Franklin kicked his 100th goal for the season against Carlton in 2008.

One of just three after the siren-winning goals in Hawthorn history was kicked by Ben Dixon against Carlton in 2001.

In 1980, the Hawks led the Blues by two points at the final change and won by the same margin, after kicking 3.2 to 1.14 in the last quarter.

The record crowd at Glenferrie was 36,000, against Carlton in Round 1, 1965.

Tickets and Membership

This is a member replacement game, Hawthorn members receive general admission access to four designated away games in Melbourne.

Due to anticipated high demand for our Round 2 clash at the MCG, we strongly recommend members upgrade to a reserved seat to guarantee entry via ticketek. General admission is subject to capacity and is not guaranteed.

Hawks members can upgrade their tickets here - https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=CARLT0225

If you have any further questions, please contact the Membership Team on (03) 9535 3045 or email membership@hawthornfc.com.au

Getting to the game

There are plenty of public transport options to get to Hawthorn's home ground, the MCG.

By train

There are two train stations close to the MCG - Jolimont and Richmond.

Jolimont Station is north of the ground and offers a five-minute stroll through Yarra Park to the gates to the ground. View

Richmond Station is on the south-eastern side of the MCG. It's a slightly longer walk to the ground, past the Punt Road Oval to the Shane Warne Stand side.

Train Disruptions:

Buses are replacing trains between Heidelberg and Eltham on the Hurstbridge Line until 27 March. If any fans are coming from this way, they’ll need to factor in extra travel time.

Buses are also replacing trains between Newport and Werribee stations most nights on the Werribee Line until May.

By tram

Three tram routes provide access to the MCG.

The No. 70 tram (Docklands/City-Wattle Park) is the closest tram stop to the ground, travelling from Flinders Street and detouring via Melbourne Park. The tram stop is a short walk across the footbridge to the ground.

Stopping on Wellington Road just north of the MCG, the No. 75 tram (City-Vermont South) travels from Flinders St, and the No. 48 (Docklands/City-North Balwyn) travels from Collins Street, both connecting the city and eastern suburbs.

Road Disruptions:

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