Friday’s only AFL Round 15 match is between Geelong Cats and Essendon Bombers. The opening bounce is set to commence at 7:50 PM local time with the game to be played at Etihad Stadium. The home team Geelong Cats are the favourites for the match. View our preview and teams for the game between Geelong Cats and Essendon Bombers.

Round: Round 15 , June 27, 2014 , 7:50 PM
Stadium: Etihad Stadium
Weather: 17° Shower or two.

Featured Bookmakers:

Tips: Geelong to win by 1-39 at $2.10 with Sportingbet Australia + get a $700 FREE BET

Preview: THIS is a crucial game for both sides. The Cats need to bounce back from their disappointing loss to Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium in round 13, which saw them tipped out of the top four. Chris Scott’s men can’t afford to drop many more games if they want to head into the finals with a double-chance. The Bombers remain in the news for all the wrong reasons, although they scored some good headlines by defeating Adelaide in an entertaining clash at Etihad Stadium last weekend. The victory ensured they remain just four points outside the top eight.

LAST FIVE TIMES

R7, 2013, Geelong 17.11 (113) d Essendon 11.19 (85) at Etihad Stadium
R17, 2012, Geelong 20.14 (134) d Essendon 10.7 (67) at Etihad Stadium
R15, 2011, Essendon 18.7 (115) d Geelong 16.15 (111) at Etihad Stadium
R12, 2010, Geelong 23.16 (154) d Essendon 12.11 (83) at Etihad Stadium
R1, 2010, Geelong 19.11 (125) d Essendon 13.16 (94) at MCG

THE SIX POINTS

1. Geelong has dominated Essendon in recent times. Since 2006, the Cats have won eight of nine contests against the Bombers by an average margin of 57 points.

2. The Bombers continue to be a high-possession side. They are ranked second for disposals, averaging 399.2 per game, while the Cats are ranked 10th, averaging 361.2 per game.

3. Geelong continues to struggle in the clearances. It is ranked second last, averaging only 33.8 per game, while Essendon is 10th with 38.2 per game.

4. The Cats have won 10 of their 15 games against the Bombers at Etihad Stadium. Five of those wins were by 50 points or more.

5. Star Essendon recruit Paul Chapman played 251 games and kicked 336 goals for Geelong. He played 14 games against the Bombers and only lost four of them.

6. Cats defender Harry Taylor was the No. 1 key defender in the competition between rounds 10 and 12. But after a couple of quiet games he has been overtaken by Fremantle’s Michael Johnson in Official AFL Player Ratings, brought to you by Gatorade.

Teams:

GEELONG

B Corey Enright, Tom Lonergan, Andrew Mackie
HB Cameron Guthrie, Harry Taylor, Jared Rivers
C Steve Johnson, Joel Selwood, Allen Christensen
HF Jimmy Bartel, Shane Kersten, Jordan Murdoch
F Steven Motlop, Tom Hawkins, Travis Varcoe
FOLL Dawson Simpson, George Horlin-Smith, James Kelly
I/C Jed Bews, Mark Blicavs, Josh Caddy, Mitch Duncan
EMG Brad Hartman, Billie Smedts, Jesse Stringer
IN Harry Taylor, Dawson Simpson, George Horlin-Smith, Jed Bews
OUT Hamish McIntosh (Ankle), Billie Smedts (Omitted), Mathew Stokes (Ankle), Josh Walker (Omitted)

ESSENDON

B Courtenay Dempsey, Michael Hurley, Dustin Fletcher
HB Michael Hibberd, Cale Hooker, David Myers
C Dyson Heppell, Brendon Goddard, David Zaharakis
HF Paul Chapman, Joe Daniher, Ben Howlett
F Travis Colyer, Patrick Ambrose, Jake Carlisle
FOLL Patrick Ryder, Heath Hocking, Brent Stanton
I/C Jake Melksham, Kyle Hardingham, Zach Merrett, Jackson Merrett
EMG Tom Bellchambers, Elliott Kavanagh, Cory Dell’Olio
IN Paul Chapman, Jake Carlisle, Kyle Hardingham, Jackson Merrett
OUT Elliott Kavanagh (Omitted), Tom Bellchambers (Omitted), Mark Baguley (Back), Jason Winderlich (Suspension)