Marvel Stadium will play host to Saturday's Round 9 AFL game between Essendon Bombers and GWS Giants. The game kicks off at 4:35 pm with GWS Giants heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Essendon Bombers vs. GWS Giants game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Saturday May 11, 2024 at 4:35 pm
Where: Marvel Stadium
Bet: Bet On This Match HERE
Essendon Bombers vs GWS Giants Odds
Essendon Bombers vs GWS Giants Preview
This is a massive game for the Bombers who are still waiting to take a massive scalp in 2024, which presents a massive opportunity on Saturday afternoon.
The Giants were outclassed with speed and poise in the final third against the Swans, which has seemed to be their area of weakness in their losses.
Late last season the Giants turned the Bombers into a VFL side with a 126-point drubbing, and it likely will still linger on Essendons minds.
The Bombers cant afford to get off to a slow start against the Giants, who are still leading the league for goal efficiency and will make you pay quickly.
Essendons midfield accountability has been exceptional in recent weeks, with the likes of Zach Merrett, Nic Martin, and Darcy Parish all continuing to provide consistent stoppage presence and relief out of defensive 50.
The main issue is the forward half for the Bombers, and where their goals come from with the likes of Sam Taylor and Connor Idun most likely shutting down Peter Wright and Kyle Langford.
The contest is evenly shaped statistically, both sides want first hands at the stoppage, although the difference is in movement on turnover, as the Bombers like to keep it wider, whilst the Giants want to penetrate the corridor and limit the time the ball is moving.
A full Carlton crowd intimidated the Giants a couple of weeks back with their third-quarter run, and Essendon will bring their numbers, so is a big scalp possible?
The Giants should be too classy.
Content provided by Ladbrokes
Essendon Bombers vs GWS Giants Tip
We're tipping GWS Giants to win at $1.62 odds.
Essendon Bombers vs GWS Giants Teams
BOMBERS
B: D.Heppell, B.McKay, J.Laverde
HB: N.Martin, M.Redman, A.McGrath
C: M.Guelfi, D.Parish, J.Kelly
HF: S.Durham, K.Langford, J.Gresham
F: H.Jones, P.Wright, A.Perkins
FOLL: T.Goldstein, J.Caldwell, Z.Merrett – C
I/C: B.Hobbs, N.Cox, N.Hind, J.Stringer, A.Davey Jnr
EMG: E.Tsatas, D.Shiel, S.Weideman
IN: N.Hind
OUT: X.Duursma (Injured)
GIANTS
B: C.Idun, S.Taylor, H.Perryman
HB: L.Whitfield, J.Buckley, L.Ash
C: N.Haynes, J.Kelly, F.Callaghan
HF: B.Daniels, A.Cadman, T.Bedford
F: T.Greene – C, J.Hogan, H.Thomas
FOLL: K.Briggs, C.Ward, S.Coniglio
I/C: D.Jones, T.Green, H.Himmelberg, J.Riccardi, C.Stone
EMG: J.Peatling, J.Wehr, M.Gruzewski
IN: N.Haynes, S.Coniglio, C.Stone
OUT: J.Wehr (Omitted), C.Brown (Suspension), J.Peatling (Omitted)