Round 18 of the 2024 AFL Season continues on Saturday at the MCG when the Melbourne Demons play host to the Essendon Bombers, with the game carrying significant importance for both sides, with Melbourne looking to find their feet and push for a top eight spot while the Bombers want to assert themselves as a top four team.
Given the current form of both teams, it should be an intriguing match and we have you covered with a full betting preview for free below.
2024 AFL Round 18 Preview & Betting Tips
Melbourne vs Essendon
Saturday 7:30pm AEST, July 13th, MCG
It's interesting with Melbourne, who will be without Max Gawn through injury. Their recent record without Max is actually quite good, but the big key there is that they have had a strong back up ruckman, with Luke Jackson in 2022 and Brodie Grundy. Harrison Petty is the in for Gawn and him in ruck... gee that is going to be an ask and he could be ripe for Sam Draper to do some damage. The Demons did a pretty good job against West Coast. It wasn't much of a contest but they were impressive and got a decent percentage boost, which will help them big time with their push towards the top eight. They are quite damaging when it comes to scoring from turnover and that is something that Essendon can be guilty of. They struggle to defend a turnover.
The Dons are going to be pushing hard for a top four spot but to do so, they need to win games like this. They were superb against the Pies last week, but the jury is well and truly out on Collingwood, so how strong is that form? Not entirely sure, but they are clearly a better side in 2024 vs recent years and as stated earlier, the ruck battle could be the deciding factor, with Draper looking set to dominate the clearance battle and allow his midfield to wreak havoc. But, the query with that is their turnover game. Once they lose the ball, they do struggle to defend and are ranked 18th for defending scores off turnover. Last week, Melbourne scored over 70 points from turnover against West Coast.
Match Prediction: As an Essendon fan, you would be disappointed if they don't win this game. No Max Gawn for Melbourne leaves them very weak in the ruck and I think the Dons, especially with their in-form gun midfield, will take full advantage. Keen to be with the Bombers.
Essendon -10.5
$1.90 (1 Unit)
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Essendon -10.5: As stated above, I am keen on the Bombers and I think if Draper does indeed dominate the ruck and allow his midfield to do damage, then I think the strike power of Essendon across the forward half will be too much for the Dees to handle.
+162.5 Total Match Points: I think there is potential for this to be a high scoring game. Both sides can be hit and miss in front of goal but given Essendon and their potential to leak easy goals, the possibility is there for this game to be high scoring so I am taking the overs option.
SGM Odds: $3.30 at BoomBet
