It’s been another cracking round in the AFL and the best match has been saved until last. Fierce rivals Collingwood and Essendon will lock horns on Anzac Day once again in front of what will be a massive crowd at the home of footy. We preview the battle and provide our best betting tips below!
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AFL Round 6 Preview & Betting Tips
Collingwood vs Essendon
Tuesday 3:20pm AEST, April 25th, MCG
Traditional Anzac Day rivals, Collingwood and Essendon will do battle at the MCG on Tuesday afternoon in the biggest home and away fixture on the calendar. And just when you thought the occasion couldn’t get any bigger, both teams head into this clash in the top four, which is the first time that’s been the case on Anzac Day since 2000.
Collingwood were able to bounce back from their Round 4 loss against Brisbane with a tight six-point victory against another in-form team in the Saints last weekend. The Magpies are now 4-1 and have shown they can secure wins in different ways, with both their offence and defence taking control of games at various stages so far.
One concern for the Magpies is their growing injury list which now has a few key names on it. They’re without quite a few of their tall timber with the likes of Darcy Cameron, Mason Cox, and Dan McStay all injured, while Jeremy Howe, Pat Lipinski, and Taylor Adams are also key personnel on the sidelines.
Essendon will be out for more of the same after an impressive win over premiership fancies Melbourne last weekend. They got on the front foot early and managed to fend off any and all challenges the Demons threw at them, which showed great signs of maturity under new coach Brad Scott. Essendon are also now 4-1 and are only three wins shy of equalling their win tally from a season ago.
The Bombers have some injury/suspension issues of their own heading into this big clash. Captain Zach Merrett was unable to get off his one-match suspension for a dangerous tackle last weekend. On top of that, Peter Wright remains out as he continues to rehab his shoulder injury, while a whole host of others are battling fitness tests ahead of Tuesday afternoon.
The Anzac Day fixture has been one of those games over the years where it doesn’t necessarily matter where either team is placed on the ladder, and one where you better expect the unexpected. However, the Magpies won both matches against the Bombers last season and have proven to be one of the premier teams in the competition over the last 18 months. I have a lot more faith in their ability to win important matches at this stage of their development and am happy to be on them to win and cover the small spread against the Bombers.
Collingwood -12.5
$1.90 (2 Units)
Same Game Multi
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Jamie Elliott 2+ Goals – Has had a quietish start to the season but loves playing at the MCG. He’s kicked 2+ goals in eight of his last 10 matches at the venue.
Sam Draper 1+ Goals – Big Draper loves a goal and kicked three of them last weekend. The Magpies are lacking height at the moment and I can see the Bombers ruck taking advantage in that area.
Scott Pendlebury 20+ Disposals – Big game player and loves playing against the Bombers. He’s had 20+ disposal and 24 of his last 25 matches against them.
Same Game Multi odds - $3.30
