Another Saturday in the AFL, another monster 5 game slate to look forward to! The GWS Giants and Essendon Bombers kick off Super Saturday from Spotless Stadium at 1.45pm! PuntingInDanger has you covered with a full preview and betting tips for the clash below.
AFL GWS vs Essendon Betting Tips
Spotless Stadium, Saturday 8th May 1.45pm (AEST)
The Giants have turned their season around after a rough start and will be looking to carry on their momentum as they host the Bombers in the first of the Super Saturday five game slate.
Match Prediction
GWS travelled to Adelaide in Round 7 in what many thought would be a pretty close game between two teams who had both shown glimpses, many were wrong GWS blew the Crows out of the water from the very start, securing a 67 point win away from home. The Giants star studded midfield was back together on the weekend, with Jacob Hopper, Tim Taranto, Lachie Whitfield and Josh Kelly averaging over 30 touches between them in the win.
The Bombers were fantastic on ANZAC Day but failed to back it up on Sunday against the Blues, going down by 16 points in a thrilling contest at the MCG. The Bombers sit in 15th place on the AFL ladder with a 2-5 record but have some really winnable games coming up against the Dockers and Kangaroos at home following their clash with the Giants.
The Bombers are still without a few key midfielders in Jye Caldwell and Dylan Shiel, but their absence has opened the door for some young players to enter the mix and that has Essendon fans excited for the first time in years. GWS are still ravaged on the injury front but are getting better week by week. They got Lachie Whitfield back on the weekend but they’ll still be without Phil Davis, Matt de Boer, Nick Haynes, Adam Kennedy, Daniel Lloyd and Braydon Preuss.
The Giants start as 16.5 point favourites at home, which seems about right given the form of the two teams at the moment and the continual return of the Giants stars from injury. GWS got off on a bad foot this season but let’s not forget that just over a year ago they were one of the powerhouses of the competition and still ultimately have the same list. They might be starting to find some form here and at home, I think they win this one over an inexperienced Bombers side in a relatively close one.
Giants Prop
Jesse Hogan impressed in his debut game for the Giants on the weekend, booting four goals in the win over the Crows. With the loss of Jeremy Cameron in the off-season, the Giants have been crying out for a target man and they seem to have found one in Hogan. Back the former Demons and Docker to kick another 3+ on Saturday.
Bombers Prop
Love the value of Andrew McGrath to rack up 25+disposals this week. You can still almost double your money in this market, with McGrath paying $1.83. He has passed 25 touches in three of his seven games this season and averages 25.7 per game. Had 29 in the loss to the Blues on the weekend.
