Saturday’s second AFL Round 8 match is between Brisbane Lions and Essendon Bombers. The opening bounce is set to commence at 4.40pm with the game to be played at Gabba. The away team Essendon Bombers are the favourites for the match. View our preview and teams for the game between Brisbane Lions and Essendon Bombers.
Round: AFL Round 8, Saturday May 10, 4.40pm
Stadium: Gabba
Weather: 24° Shower or two.
Featured Bookmakers:
[iframe_loader width=”690″ height=”310″ src=”https://www.sportsnews.com.au/odds/afl/match.php?id=1191746&sb&lx&b3″]
Odds Comparison:
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| Brisbane Lions | 4.25 | 4.25 | 4.15 | 4.25 | 4.25 | 4.20 |
| Essendon Bombers | 1.24 | 1.23 | 1.25 | 1.23 | 1.24 | 1.24 |
All odds are subject to change. Odds listed are correct at the time of the latest update.
Tips: Essendon Bombers to win.
Preview:
ESSENDON got back on track with a win over the Western Bulldogs last week and will see this as a chance to square its season ledger at 4-4. The Lions sunk back to the bottom of the table with a 79-point hiding from the Sydney Swans, and despite the likely return of Jonathan Brown and Pearce Hanley from injury, will start this one as heavy underdogs. The Bombers struggled to score against the Bulldogs, but were rock solid in defence, led by Cale Hooker, Michael Hurley and the ageless Dustin Fletcher. With an inexperienced Lions outfit battling to hit the scoreboard, that should be enough for the Bombers to leave Brisbane with the premiership points.
LAST FIVE TIMES
R8, 2013, Brisbane Lions 14.12 (96) d Essendon 12.14 (86) at Etihad Stadium
R6, 2012, Essendon 19.15 (129) d Brisbane Lions 9.8 (62) at Etihad Stadium
R8, 2011, Essendon 15.12 (102) d Brisbane Lions 9.12 (66) at the Gabba
R21, 2010, Brisbane Lions 14.11 (95) d Essendon 10.8 (68) at Etihad Stadium
R19, 2009, Essendon 13.9 (87) drew Brisbane Lions 12.15 (87) at the MCG
THE SIX POINTS
1. This will be the 40th clash between the clubs and the Bombers hold a 22-16 winning advantage, with one draw. The Lions have won 10 of 14 at the Gabba.
2. The Lions continue to struggle in a number of categories, ranked in the bottom four in disposals, uncontested possessions, contested possessions, marks inside 50, and are last in scoring.
3. The Lions’ biggest victory over the Bombers was a 66-point win in round 12 2004, while Essendon’s biggest win was by a crushing 140 points in round nine 1988.
4. No team has received fewer free kicks this season than Essendon, averaging only 15.8 a game, while the Lions are 11th with 18 a game.
5. Essendon’s defence has been strong in 2014, conceding an average of just 78 points a game, but the offence has struggled of late, averaging just 64 per match over the past four matches.
6. In the Lions’ upset win last season, livewire Dayne Zorko was the most effective player according to the Official AFL Player Ratings. Zorko had 23.8 points to clearly outstrip second-placed Jack Redden (17.1).
Teams:
Brisbane Lions:
B Jed Adcock, Justin Clarke, Joel Patfull
HB Tom Cutler, Marco Paparone, Andrew Raines
C Lewis Taylor, Sam Mayes, Nick Robertson
HF James Aish, Jonathan Brown, Josh Green
F Dayne Zorko, Trent West, Jackson Paine
FOL Daniel Merrett, Tom Rockliff, Jack Redden
I/C Ryan Lester, Matt Maguire, Pearce Hanley, Darcy Gardiner
EMG Daniel McStay, Mitch Golby, Jack Crisp
IN Matt Maguire, Pearce Hanley, Jackson Paine, Jonathan Brown
OUT James Polkinghorne (Omitted), Rohan Bewick (Omitted), Luke McGuane (Knee), Mitch Golby (Omitted)
Essendon Bombers:
B Michael Hurley, Dustin Fletcher, Michael Hibberd
HB Mark Baguley, Cale Hooker, Dyson Heppell
C Brendon Goddard, Jobe Watson, Brent Stanton
HF David Zaharakis, Jake Carlisle, Zach Merrett
F Paul Chapman, Joe Daniher, Patrick Ambrose
FOL Patrick Ryder, Jake Melksham, Heath Hocking
I/C Jackson Merrett, Martin Gleeson, Courtenay Dempsey, Kurt Aylett
EMG Jason Ashby, Travis Colyer, Kyle Hardingham
IN Patrick Ambrose, Martin Gleeson, Kurt Aylett
OUT Jason Ashby (Omitted), Ben Howlett (RESTED ), Jason Winderlich (Knee)