AFL Round 5 continues on Sunday with another two games on the schedule. Here, we preview the match between Essendon and Fremantle and provide our best spread and player prop betting tips!
As always, we have you covered with a full preview and betting tips for the game and remember to head to our AFL Tips page, where you can catch our coverage of all the Round 5 action.
Essendon vs Fremantle Betting Tips
Marvel Stadium, Saturday 16th April, 4:40pm (AEDT)
Essendon
Injuries: Tom Cutler (H&S Protocols), Aaron Francis (Knee), Michael Hurley (Knee), Harrison Jones (Ankle), Kyle Langford (Hamstring), Zach Merrett (Ankle), Will Snelling (Calf), James Stewart (Calf), Jake Stringer (Hamstring)
Injuries are quickly becoming a major issue for the Bombers who will be without quite a handful of their best 22 on Sunday. Michael Hurley continues to miss with his hip injury, Kyle Langford and Zach Merrett are nursing leg injuries, while Jake Stringer has a bad hamstring.
The Bombers finally recorded their first win of the season when they defeated the Crows last weekend in a nail-biter. They put 103 points on the board, easily their best mark this season, led by Peter Wright who chimed in with three goals to take his season tally to 12. The Bombers increased to 1-3 on the season and 14th on the table, but still have a lot of work to do if they’re to make a push for the finals in 2022.
Fremantle
Injuries: Nat Fyfe (Back), Matthew Johnson (Leg), Darcy Tucker (Concussion)
Injuries aren’t a big issue for the Dockers at the moment. Nat Fyfe is obviously a huge out as he continues to work through a back issue, but he’s the only clear best 22 player currently forced to the sidelines.
The Dockers were in an arm-wrestle with the gritty Giants for the first three quarters last weekend, but managed to kick ahead in the final term to win by a comfortable 34 points. First year player Nathan O’Driscoll had his fingerprints all over that contest with 20 touches and a couple of goals, while Will Brodie continued to prove his case as best recruit with 37 touches. That win was the third from four games for the Dockers this season and they could easily be 4/4 had they taken their chances against the Saints.
Match Prediction
With home ground advantage on their side again this weekend, the Bombers will be eyeing off their second win of the season when they host the Dockers on Sunday. However, I believe they have their work cut out for them as the Dockers have already proven to be a big improver this season and are definitely one of the best defensive teams in the competition. With that in mind, I’m keen to be with the Dockers in the head-to-head market here.
Fremantle Dockers H2H (2 UNITS)
$1.87
Prop Bets
Tall forward Rory Lobb was a little quiet last week with just the one goal; however, he’s proven to be a constant threat in front of the big sticks this season, jagging at least two in three out of four games. He remains good value to be a multiple goal kicker again this weekend.
Rory Lobb 2+ Goals ($1.92 Ladbrokes)
Hayden Young has quickly become one of the Dockers go-to players to rebound the ball out of defence due to his elite kicking. He showcased his ball-winning ability with 31 touches in Round 2 and looks good value to get at least 20 here.
Hayden Young 20+ Disposals ($1.82 Ladbrokes)
Link-man James Aish has had a strong start to the season in the disposals department and there’s no reason why that will stop this weekend. He’s collected 20+ in 2/3 games and the only time he didn’t was in his first game when he had 19. Love him for 20 here.
James Aish 20+ Disposals ($1.73 Ladbrokes)
