Essendon are flying at the moment, but they get a real test on Saturday night as they square off against the Demons in one of the headline fixtures of Round 15. PuntingInDanger is back on deck with a full preview and AFL Round 15 tips for the clash below.
AFL Essendon vs Melbourne Betting Tips
MCG, Saturday 7.25pm (AEST)
The Bombers fans are up and about at the moment while the Demons are coming off a disappointing result, making this clash between the top team in the competition, and one vying for a spot in the top eight, a very intriguing duel.
Match Prediction
The Bombers were at their electrifying best against the Hawks last weekend, capturing a 13-point win down in Tasmania on the back of one of the best individual performances of the season. Jake Stringer racked up 29 disposals, 18 of them contested, and booted four goals in the win, which takes the Bombers to 6-7 on the season and just one game outside the eight.
The Demons will be on the back of their bye, which was needed to regroup after an uncharacteristic loss to the Magpies on Queens Birthday Monday. The Pies were riding high in a hope to send Nathan Buckley off with a win, but it certainly doesn’t excuse the effort that the Demons put in. If they are to be considered serious contenders for the flag, they have to win those type of games, and Saturday night will be another one as they come up against an up and about, young Bombers side.
The Bombers are still pretty hindered by inury, but there will be some good news starting now through the next few weeks. David Zaharakis and Alec Waterman will return to the lineup this week while Dylan Shiel and Will Snelling could be back in the side as soon as next week. Statistically, the Demons have had the strongest injury list throughout the year, ranking 18th in both ‘lost points’ and ‘lost games’ through injury. Only Marty Hore, Aaron Nietschke and Adam Tomlinson are on their injury list at the moment, with all three ruled out for the season.
You have to think the Dees will bounce back here with the fire burning from a disappointing loss and a full two weeks break to prepare for the game. If they don’t, they risk squandering top spot on the ladder and you have to start questioning their legitimacy for the flag. They start as 22.5 point favourites at MCG, which is a little too high against a slick moving Bombers side. Back the Dees to win this by 1-39.
Demons 1-39 (1.5 Units)
$2.10
Same Game Multi
You’d have to think Jake Stringer will spend more time in the midfield after the game he had against the Hawks on the weekend. If so, the $1.40 on offer for him to get 20+ disposals seems really tasty. It’s the first time he’s passed that mark this season but I feel like a new role is in store for him.
Christian Petracca and Zach Merrett have surpassed the 25 disposal mark in 20 of 26 combined games this season and should both do so again in solid conditions at the MCG Saturday night.
Stringer 20+ Disp.
Petracca 25+ Disp.
Merrett 25+ Disp.
ESS vs MEL Same Game Multi
$2.30
