Essendon Bombers vs Western Bulldogs preview, tips and teams – 2014 AFL Round 7

The fifth game on Saturday for AFL Round 7 is between Essendon Bombers and Western Bulldogs. The opening bounce is set to commence at 7.40pm with the game to be played at Etihad Stadium. The favourite for the match is home team Essendon Bombers. View our preview and teams for the game between Essendon Bombers and Western Bulldogs.

Round: Round 7, Saturday May 3, 7.40pm
Stadium: Etihad Stadium
Weather: 14° A few showers.

Featured Bookmakers:

Odds Comparison:


Essendon Bombers	1.33	1.30	1.28	1.30	1.33	1.32
Western Bulldogs	3.45	3.60	3.80	3.60	3.45	3.45

All odds are subject to change. Odds listed are correct at the time of the latest update.

Tips: Western Bulldogs to win with the plus line.

Preview:

ESSENDON will be keen to bounce back from its Anzac Day loss, which compounded a difficult three weeks for the Bombers. But the Western Bulldogs will also be disappointed with their consistency against Adelaide last week, which saw them burst to an early lead but ultimately overrun. Expect a hostile response towards Stewart Crameri from Essendon supporters, in the first game the former Bomber forward has played against his old club. Essendon is likely to welcome back midfielders Brendon Goddard and Heath Hocking, as well as Tom Bellchambers, which will help their work around the stoppages. Winning stoppages will be the key given the Western Bulldogs’ strength in this area.

LAST FIVE TIMES
R16, 2013, Essendon 18.13 (121) d Western Bulldogs 14.6 (90) at Etihad Stadium
R14, 2012, Essendon 21.14 (140) d Western Bulldogs 8.8 (56) at Etihad Stadium
R21, 2011, Essendon 23.12 (150) d Western Bulldogs 15.11 (101) at Etihad Stadium
R1, 2011, Essendon 16.17 (113) d Western Bulldogs 8.10 (58) at Etihad Stadium
R22, 2010, Western Bulldogs 17.5 (107) d Essendon 11.12 (78) at Etihad Stadium

THE SIX POINTS
1. The Dogs performed well against Essendon last year, having more disposals and more inside-50s. With a more potent forward line this season, they might be better placed to take their chances.2. Essendon’s game style is interesting: despite its drop-off in form, it remains ranked No.1 this season for kicks, disposals, marks and uncontested possessions.3. The Bulldogs have struggled to get the ball inside 50 this season. They are ranked 15th in the AFL for forward entries, averaging just 45 a game.4. Bombers supporters might say ‘I told you so!’ No team has received less free kicks in 2014 than the Bombers with just 79 in the opening six rounds.

5. The Official AFL Player Ratings show the Bombers to depend on Jobe Watson too much. The club’s captain is ranked No.5 overall in the competition, but its next player is Brendon Goddard, back at No.55.

6. The Bulldogs, meanwhile, have four players in the top 50 of the rankings: Ryan Griffen (10), Matthew Boyd (28), Tom Liberatore (33) and Will Minson (44).

Teams:

Essendon Bombers

B: Dustin Fletcher, Cale Hooker, Michael Hibberd
HB: Mark Baguley, Michael Hurley, Dyson Heppell
C: Brent Stanton, Jobe Watson, Courtenay Dempsey
HF: Brendon Goddard, Jake Carlisle, Jackson Merrett
F: Jason Winderlich, Joe Daniher, Paul Chapman
Fol: Patrick Ryder, Jake Melksham, Heath Hocking
I/C: Jason Ashby, David Zaharakis, Ben Howlett, Zach Merrett
Emg: Patrick Ambrose, Tom Bellchambers, Kyle Hardingham
In: Brendon Goddard, Heath Hocking
Out: Martin Gleeson (soreness), Kyle Hardingham (omitted)

Western Bulldogs
B: Liam Picken, Michael Talia, Easton Wood
HB: Shaun Higgins, Dale Morris, Robert Murphy
C: Marcus Bontempelli, Ryan Griffen, Jack Macrae
HF: Adam Cooney, Stewart Crameri, Tory Dickson
F: Luke Dahlhaus, Liam Jones, Tom Williams
Fol: Will Minson, Matthew Boyd, Tom Liberatore
I/C: Koby Stevens, Jason Johannisen, Jake Stringer, Lachie Hunter
Emg: Jason Tutt, Lin Jong, Fletcher Roberts
In: Marcus Bontempelli, Jason Johannisen, Dale Morris, Tom Williams
Out: Daniel Giansiracusa (omitted), Lin Jong (omitted), Tom Young (omitted), Tom Campbell (omitted)

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