MCG will play host to Thursday's Round 7 AFL game between Essendon Bombers and Collingwood Magpies. The game kicks off at 3:20 pm with Collingwood Magpies heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Essendon Bombers vs. Collingwood Magpies game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Thursday April 25, 2024 at 3:20 pm
Where: MCG
Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE
Essendon Bombers vs Collingwood Magpies Odds
Essendon Bombers vs Collingwood Magpies Preview
Arguably the biggest day on the football calendar, a full house at the MCG with quite a lot to play for at this time of the year, this lead-in is pretty similar to last year.
The Bombers went against the odds and pulled off a terrific victory in Adelaide against the Crows, sitting them pretty at seventh on the ladder.
The Pies look back in form, or at least regaining their best with periods we saw against the Power where they overpowered offensively and defensively.
Both these sides have shown quite a lot of weakness in their game, which is still limiting both from playing top-class football, but both styles win games of footy.
The Bombers have won their footy through their ability to absorb pressure and punish with the ball in hand, whilst the Pies flair in transition and chaos ball inside 50 with good defensive structure plays them back into games.
The Pies certainly have the wood over the Bombers, winning the last four encounters, one being an after-the-siren thriller, last year’s ANZAC Day comeback, and a belting late last year.
Collingwood’s energy through the middle in transition will be dominant, and if the Bombers aren’t able to minimise their impact, it’s hard to see the Bombers uncontested movement troubling the Pies for a decent portion of the match.
A win for the Bombers would send the Pies back into chase-up mode and the Dons into the top eight with some breathing space, so a lot at stake here.
This should be a thrilling contest, but the Pies should have the upper hand in the class department.
Content provided by Ladbrokes
Head To Head Bet
We're tipping Collingwood Magpies to win at $1.46 odds.
First Goal Scorer
First Goal Scorer: Patrick Lipinski at $19.
Essendon Bombers vs Collingwood Magpies Teams
BOMBERS
B: D.Heppell, B.McKay, J.Laverde
HB: N.Martin, M.Redman, A.McGrath
C: X.Duursma, D.Parish, J.Kelly
HF: S.Durham, K.Langford, A.Davey Jnr
F: S.Draper, P.Wright, B.Hobbs
FOLL: T.Goldstein, J.Caldwell, Z.Merrett – C
I/C: J.Gresham, N.Cox, N.Hind, H.Jones, J.Stringer
EMG: E.Tsatas, N.Caddy, M.Guelfi
IN: P.Wright
OUT: E.Tsatas
MAGPIES
B: B.Maynard, I.Quaynor, B.Frampton
HB: J.Noble, J.Crisp, D.Moore – C
C: S.Sidebottom, S.Pendlebury, J.Daicos
HF: L.Schultz, P.Lipinski, B.Mihocek
F: B.Hill, J.Elliott, M.Cox
FOLL: D.Cameron, N.Daicos, J.De Goey
I/C: T.Mitchell, B.McCreery, W.Hoskin-Elliott, H.Harrison, J.Howe
EMG: R.McInnes, L.Sullivan, O.Markov
IN: H.Harrison
OUT: R.McInnes
