Essendon Bombers vs Melbourne Demons preview and teams – AFL 2013 Round 2

Today’s third AFL Round 2  match is between Essendon Bombers and Melbourne Demons. The opening bounce is set to commence at 7:40pm local times with the game to be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The home team Essendon are the current favourites for the match in the odds. View our preview and teams for the game between Essendon Bombers and Melbourne Demons.

Round: Round 2, 7:40 PM April 06, 2013
Stadium: MCG
Weather: 28° Mostly sunny.

Odds:

Essendon Bombers $1.10 vs Melbourne Demons $7.50 at Sportsbet Australia

Essendon Bombers $1.07 vs Melbourne Demons $8.25 at Luxbet Australia

Preview:

LAST FIVE TIMES
R10, 2012, Melbourne 8.10 (58) d Essendon 6.16 (52) at the MCG
R11, 2011, Melbourne 15.11 (101) d Essendon 10.8 (68) at the MCG
R15, 2010, Melbourne 19.8 (122) d Essendon 14.19 (103) at the MCG
R12, 2009, Essendon 19.17 (131) d Melbourne 13.5 (83) at Etihad Stadium
R18, 2008, Essendon 19.10 (124) d Melbourne 17.6 (108) at the MCG

THE SIX POINTS
1. Melbourne upset Essendon the last time the sides met, winning by six points in round 10 last season at the MCG. It was the Demons’ first win of 2012.

2. Despite recent poor form, Melbourne has had the better of Essendon in their past three clashes.

3. In the past two contests between the sides, Melbourne has won the total possession count comfortably.

4. In Melbourne’s 2011-12 upset wins over Essendon, tackling has been the difference – 84-69 in 2012 and 78-51 in 2011.

5. Essendon does not enjoy a good recent record at the MCG, losing 18 of their past 25 games since 2010. In 2012 they lost five of their seven games on the hallowed turf.

6. Essendon and Melbourne have met 10 times in round two, but Melbourne’s most recent win in these fixtures was back in 1939, when Norm Smith bagged four goals for the winners and Dick Reynolds kicked three for the losers.

Teams:

 

Essendon Bombers:

• 1 Michael Hibberd
• 2 Tom Bellchambers
• 4 Jobe Watson
• 5 Brent Stanton
• 9 Brendon Goddard
• 11 David Zaharakis
• 12 Stewart Crameri
• 15 Courtenay Dempsey
• 17 Jake Melksham
• 18 Michael Hurley
• 19 David Hille
• 20 Jackson Merrett
• 21 Dyson Heppell
• 22 Jake Carlisle
• 23 David Myers
• 26 Cale Hooker
• 28 Elliott Kavanagh
• 29 Alwyn Davey
• 30 Patrick Ryder
• 31 Dustin Fletcher
• 38 Nick Kommer
• 39 Heath Hocking
• 40 Ben Howlett
• 41 Will Hams
• 46 Mark Baguley