Essendon Bombers vs Hawthorn Hawks AFL LIVE: Merrett faces Hawks for first time since failed trade bid

The AFL’s attempts to remove the “gut punch” from the game has continued with Richmond’s Jonty Faull the latest player to cop a one-match ban.

Faull was cited by the match review officer following his club’s loss to Carlton on Thursday night, Faull was cited for striking Carlton’s Jacob Weitering in the second quarter and the strike was classed as a one-match suspension with no early plea reduction.

Commentators immediately noted the act would likely draw a ban when replays were shown on Thursday night as the AFL has made it clear to clubs they wanted body punches or hits classed removed from the game.

Kyle Langford hopes a wretched run of injuries is behind him as he eyes a key role in Essendon’s attempt to climb the AFL ladder.

Restricted to just nine games last year, Langford spent time over the off-season at a private facility in Qatar that specialises in elite sports medicine in a bid to kick the injury curse.

It’s had the desired effect so far, with the 29-year-old estimating he has completed 90-95 per cent of the pre-season program while working closely with new Bombers fitness staff Mat Inness and David Regan.

It leaves Langford in a good space – both physically and mentally – ahead of Essendon’s season-opening clash with Hawthorn at the MCG on Friday night.

“All you really want is to have that foundation at the start of the year so you’re not always playing catch-up,” Langford told AAP.

“I feel like my body, at least right now, is set for a good year.

“The hamstrings and the quad were just unfortunate … but I’m looking forward to this year and we’ve got a pretty good plan in place.”

Langford, a two-time club leading goalkicker, is part of a revamped Essendon leadership group, with former captain Zach Merrett stepping down after his failed move to the Hawks.

Langford has thrown his support behind new skipper Andy McGrath, while backing Merrett to remain an important part of the Bombers’ midfield.

“He’s the ultimate professional in the way he goes about his footy,” Langford said of six-time best-and-fairest winner Merrett.

“He’s been preparing in training really well and he, out of everyone, just wants to go out there and play some really good footy.”

Essendon managed just six wins last year and finished the season with almost a full team on the injury list.

They are relishing the chance to reboot in 2026, starting with another new chapter in the decades-long rivalry with Hawthorn.

“It’s a massive game to show the competition what we’ve been doing over the last three months,” Langford said.

“There’s going to be 90,000 plus people there, so we’re excited to get out there.

“The Hawks have already had a bit of a run and we’re keen to go up against them.”

The Bombers have picked three of last year’s draftees – Dyson Sharp, Max Kondogiannis and Huss El Achkar – to debut in their season-opener.

Hawthorn, meanwhile, dropped Harry Morrison and Finn Maginness after their opening-round thrashing from GWS, calling up Ned Reeves and Cam Mackenzie.

AAP