Optus Stadium will play host to Saturday's Round 8 AFL game between West Coast Eagles and Essendon Bombers. The game kicks off at 8:10 pm with Essendon Bombers heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the West Coast Eagles vs. Essendon Bombers game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Saturday May 4, 2024 at 8:10 pm
Where: Optus Stadium
Bet: Bet On This Match HERE
West Coast Eagles vs Essendon Bombers Odds
West Coast Eagles vs Essendon Bombers Preview
The Bombers are starting to turn a few heads, after putting together some stronger performances, we do start to question whether theyre finals contenders this year.
The ANZAC Day Draw wouldve felt a bit bittersweet for the Bombers who held a 27-point lead in the first quarter, whilst leading for 84 minutes of the game.
West Coast will come back home with plenty of confidence still, after heading over on the long trip to the Gold Coast and putting up a valiant effort after fading away in the third.
Essendon has some moments of brilliance and conviction, but it has been their inability to sustain some periods of dominance for longer than two to three-quarters.
This battle could throw up a twist or two. The Bombers havent typically put away poorer teams on the road, and the Eagles would know much like the derby, a lot of chaos and pressure inside 50 can produce anything.
Harley Reid will be back in the blue and gold after his one-week managed rest, and he could be the topic of discussion in the Bombers camp after his dominance against the Dockers.
The Bombers would know a bit about Reid, who trained at Essendon and played VFL footy at the Dons as part of the AFL Academy program last year.
Essendons stoppage craft in the forward half of the ground has been the key to quick and efficient entries and goals, which is where the Eagles need to target.
The midfield battle will hold the key to the control of the game, and the Bombers will have to utilise a lot of build-up in the ball movement to create the gaps for the Eagles.
Essendons class should prevail but this could be a much tighter contest than most anticipate.
Content provided by Ladbrokes
West Coast Eagles vs Essendon Bombers Tip
We're tipping Essendon Bombers to win at $1.55 odds.
West Coast Eagles vs Essendon Bombers Teams
EAGLES
B: T.Cole, T.Barrass, J.Rotham
HB: L.Duggan – C, J.McGovern, B.Hough
C: R.Ginbey, E.Yeo, L.Edwards
HF: L.Ryan, J.Waterman, J.Cripps
F: N.Long, J.Darling, J.Petruccelle
FOLL: B.Williams, T.Kelly, H.Reid
I/C: C.Chesser, A.Witherden, H.Johnston, J.Williams, R.Maric
EMG: A.Gaff, D.Sheed, H.Edwards
IN: T.Barrass, N.Long, H.Reid, H.Johnston
OUT: H.Edwards (Omitted), J.Hunt (Injured), D.Sheed (Omitted), T.Brockman (Omitted)
BOMBERS
B: D.Heppell, B.McKay, J.Laverde
HB: N.Martin, M.Redman, A.McGrath
C: X.Duursma, D.Parish, J.Kelly
HF: S.Durham, K.Langford, A.Davey Jnr
F: H.Jones, P.Wright, A.Perkins
FOLL: T.Goldstein, J.Caldwell, Z.Merrett – C
I/C: B.Hobbs, J.Gresham, N.Cox, J.Stringer, M.Guelfi
EMG: E.Tsatas, S.Weideman, N.Hind
IN: A.Perkins, M.Guelfi
OUT: S.Draper (Injured), N.Hind (Omitted)