MCG will play host to Sunday's Round 21 AFL game between Essendon Bombers and Fremantle Dockers. The game kicks off at 3:20 pm with Fremantle Dockers heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Essendon Bombers vs. Fremantle Dockers game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Sunday August 4, 2024 at 3:20 pm

Where: MCG

Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE

Essendon Bombers vs Fremantle Dockers Odds

Essendon Bombers vs Fremantle Dockers Preview

If a majority of punters are being honest, we predicted the Bombers to finish in the bottom half, so it’s not a surprise, but another gut-punch to supporters that they’ve done it again.

Facing almost every statistic in history towards them on making finals with their early season record, the Bombers look ready to crash out again, playing with little spirit, smashed by the Saints last week.

It offers quite a massive test for the Dockers, who are on the precipice of a top four spot with a win this week, needing to do it against a side who are on their knees.

It’s been 25, yes, 25 years since the Bombers and Dockers played at the MCG, Round 14, 1999.

So, in terms of venue recency, there’s nothing to suggest either side is favoured, but based off form at the ground this year, the Dockers seem to love playing there.

The lack of pressure the Bombers present in crunch time games is what sits them a tier below the upper echelon, and the lack of class also doesn’t help their case.

Pressure has to be present against the Dockers, who are the fourth best team when it comes to marks inside 50, and in the top half for goal efficiency.

The midfield battle is strongly in favour of the Dockers who sit second in stoppage clearances compared to the Bombers in fifth last.

The Dockers have too many avenues forward of centre to hit the scoreboard, and the Bombers have typically fallen to pieces defensively when it becomes chaos ball inside 50.

The Dockers win and it’s almost a top four lock and the Bombers done and dusted.

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Essendon Bombers vs Fremantle Dockers Tip

Essendon Bombers vs Fremantle Dockers Teams

BOMBERS

B: J.Kelly, B.McKay, J.Laverde

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

C: N.Cox, D.Shiel, X.Duursma

HF: J.Stringer, N.Caddy, S.Durham

F: K.Langford, H.Jones, J.Gresham

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

I/C (FROM): D.Parish, B.Hobbs, P.Wright, D.Heppell, N.Bryan, A.Roberts, J.Menzie

IN: J.Kelly, B.Hobbs, N.Bryan, A.Davey Jnr, A.Roberts

OUT: J.Ridley (Injured), A.Perkins (Omitted)

DOCKERS

B: L.Ryan, J.Draper, B.Cox

HB: B.Walker, H.Chapman, C.Wagner

C: J.Clark, H.Young, J.Sharp

HF: B.Banfield, S.Switkowski, M.Frederick

F: J.Treacy, J.Amiss, L.Jackson

FOLL: S.Darcy, C.Serong – C, A.Brayshaw

I/C (FROM): S.Sturt, J.O’Meara, T.Emmett, J.Aish, N.Erasmus, C.Simpson, W.Brodie

IN: N.Erasmus, L.Reidy, C.Simpson, W.Brodie

OUT: N.Fyfe (Suspension)