MCG will play host to Saturday's Round 16 AFL game between Geelong Cats and Essendon Bombers. The game kicks off at 7:30 pm with Essendon Bombers heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Geelong Cats vs. Essendon Bombers game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Saturday June 29, 2024 at 7:30 pm

Where: MCG

Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE

Geelong Cats vs Essendon Bombers Odds

Geelong Cats vs Essendon Bombers Preview

It’s the Cats second home game at the MCG this year to give them some valuable minutes on the hallowed turf, and they’ll need to produce a bit more than they’ve done recently if they want to be playing there in September.

They come up against an Essendon team still strumming along in the top-four, whether they’ve earned those credentials yet, is still a wait-and-see.

The easiest way is winning, and if they’re a genuine top-four contender, they should put away the Cats in their shocking form.

It’s a matter of too old, too slow for Geelong, and when their one wood of run and gun through the corridor in transition is taken away, they possess little impact around the contest to generate a lot of momentum in games.

The Cats have dropped to last in the competition for disposal efficiency, and are currently fourth last for points against, an average of 89 points conceded per game.

The key for the Bombers is to expose the Cats with their spread in transition.

Neither side is ultra-contest-based, but the Bombers have been quite efficient moving the ball forward and still could go to the next level with their inside 50 kicking.

As the Cats continue to age, there’s a clear disparity between young and old, and the stars of their team aren’t hiding the weaknesses of their younger crop.

If the Cats can shut down the high press Essendon insists on out of defensive 50 transition, they’re likely to pressure them into turning it over.

But if form is anything to go by, the Bombers should get it done, and it’s as good as a home game for the Dons.

Content provided by Ladbrokes

Geelong Cats vs Essendon Bombers Tip

Geelong Cats vs Essendon Bombers Teams

CATS

B: J.Henry, S.De Koning, J.Kolodjashnij

HB: L.Humphries, T.Stewart, Z.Guthrie

C: Z.Tuohy, M.Holmes, O.Dempsey

HF: B.Close, J.Cameron, G.Miers

F: T.Stengle, S.Neale, G.Rohan

FOLL: M.Blicavs, P.Dangerfield – C, T.Atkins

I/C: J.Bowes, J.Clark, M.Duncan, M.Knevitt, M.O’Connor

EMG: R.Stanley, B.Parfitt, C.O’Sullivan

IN: L.Humphries, S.Neale, M.Knevitt

OUT: T.Hawkins (Injured), O.Henry (Injured), O.Mullin (Omitted)

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: T.Goldstein, J.Caldwell, Z.Merrett – C

I/C: S.Draper, J.Gresham, N.Cox, D.Heppell, J.Kelly

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

IN: T.Goldstein, J.Gresham

OUT: J.Menzie (Omitted), N.Caddy (Omitted)