Essendon denied change of venue for Round 18 clash against Hawthorn Essendon's Round 18 clash against Hawthorn is unlikely to be shifted from Etihad Stadium to the MCG. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun ESSENDON believes it has almost no hope of relocating its Round 18 Etihad Stadium clash against Hawthorn despite a pre-season request to play at the MCG. It shapes as pivotal for two premiership contenders, and would potentially attract as many as 75,000 at the MCG. But the AFL and Etihad Stadium have refused to move games, with the stadium having a contract that secures it a number of high-profile games. The Bombers have four contracted home games at the MCG - against Richmond, Collingwood, Carlton and Melbourne. But their fixturing request to the AFL before it announced the draw was to play Hawthorn at the MCG, and take on struggling Melbourne at Etihad Stadium. The home game against the Demons - played at the MCG - drew just 51,153 in Round 2. Essendon had a similar predicament last year, but its season was falling apart by the time the Hawks clash rolled around. It pulled 50,066 people to its Etihad Stadium away game against Geelong in Round 17. But after a 67-point loss and with injuries hitting hard, only 44,899 attended the Round 18 home game against the Hawks. Etihad Stadium spokesman Bill Lane said there was very little chance of the game being switched. "The AFL controls the draw, but there are contracts in place and we would be very surprised if there was any suggestion of games moved," Lane said.