MCG will play host to Friday's Round 17 AFL game between Collingwood Magpies and Essendon Bombers. The game kicks off at 7:40 pm with Collingwood Magpies heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Collingwood Magpies vs. Essendon Bombers game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Friday July 5, 2024 at 7:40 pm

Where: MCG

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Collingwood Magpies vs Essendon Bombers Odds

Collingwood Magpies vs Essendon Bombers Preview

There is always that ounce of doubt surrounding the Bombers when it comes clutch time at the back end of the season, and they’ve still got proving to do after failing their first test against the Cats.

Similarly, their opposition has proving to do of their own, as they’ve been certainly underwhelming in their past few outings, overshadowed by late comebacks.

ANZAC Day went down in the history books as one of the most enthralling contests, and it really did epitomise the feeling of a draw where both teams were left unsatisfied and incomplete.

The Bombers certainly got the jump on the Pies, and it was down to their quick transition, neat defensive setup, and ability to spread the forward line, which is still the way to beat the Pies in 2024.

Essendon lacks class forward of centre, and more often than not they squander chances inside 50 with a lack of precision with their kicking.

It will certainly be the death of them this year, and it looks like that is the trend, with scores of only 60 and 70 in their last two games against top-eight sides.

Collingwood is part of the all-out-attack group in the competition, and it’s a risk v reward game style that relies on simply outscoring your opponent, rather than limiting what you’re having scored against you.

That doesn’t work against stronger tactical sides, as shown last week, but with the Bombers, it’s quite an easy thing to exploit.

When it comes to clutch time performances, and seizing the moment, it’s hard to look past the Pies, and they’ve certainly had the wood over the Bombers,

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Collingwood Magpies vs Essendon Bombers Tip

Collingwood Magpies vs Essendon Bombers Teams

MAGPIES

B: B.Maynard, D.Moore – C, I.Quaynor

HB: C.Dean, J.Howe, O.Markov

C: S.Sidebottom, S.Pendlebury, J.Daicos

HF: B.Hill, B.Mihocek, L.Schultz

F: J.Richards, P.Lipinski, B.Frampton

FOLL: D.Cameron, J.De Goey, N.Daicos

I/C: N.Kreuger, J.Crisp, W.Hoskin-Elliott, H.Harrison, N.Long

EMG: F.Macrae, R.McInnes, L.Sullivan

IN: C.Dean, L.Schultz, N.Long

OUT: B.McCreery (Injured), L.Sullivan (Omitted), J.Noble (Injured)

BOMBERS

B: J.Ridley, B.McKay, J.Laverde

HB: N.Martin, M.Redman, A.McGrath

C: X.Duursma, S.Durham, A.Perkins

HF: M.Guelfi, H.Jones, N.Hind

F: J.Stringer, P.Wright, K.Langford

FOLL: S.Draper, J.Caldwell, Z.Merrett – C

I/C: D.Shiel, J.Gresham, N.Cox, J.Kelly, N.Caddy

EMG: B.Hobbs, N.Bryan, J.Menzie

IN: D.Shiel, J.Kelly, N.Caddy

OUT: D.Heppell (Managed), T.Goldstein (Managed), J.Menzie (Omitted)