Brisbane v Essendon AFL betting tips & odds – Round 9, 2023

This Saturday night’s AFL primetime matchup sees an up-and-coming Essendon team enter the lion’s den to take on Brisbane at the Gabba. The Bombers come into this game having notched their third consecutive loss, while the Lions keep mauling all in their path with a big victory against the Blues.

The big question for the Essendon Bombers throughout the early portion of the season was ‘how long were they going to keep this up?’ They had a sensational start when many expected them to be at the bottom end of the ladder. However, that question appears to have been answered this past three weeks as the Bombers have been brought back to reality against other top-eight contenders.

That’s not to say they haven’t had what it takes; they surrendered leads against both the Pies and the Power, and were reasonably competitive against the surging Cats. There are two wins gone begging for the Bombers, and it doesn’t get any easier as they have to travel to Brisbane to take on a rampaging Lions outfit.

Brisbane were outplayed by the Blues midfield last week but still managed to take them to task in every other aspect of the contest — that’s how well they are travelling. That is not to say that their mids didn’t put in the work — they did, particularly around stoppages — but it was the Lions’ stingy defence and potent attack that led the way.

The Brisbane Lions are undefeated at home this year, and it is no surprise that online bookmakers have them pegged as $1.26 favourites in this clash. The Gabba allows them to play to their strengths without exhaustion of travel, the Bombers midfield won’t hold against a Lions side looking to improve on last week, and Essendon — now missing Jordan Ridley due to concussion — are down too many defenders to stop Brisbane’s star forwards.

The names just keep rolling when one thinks about the scoring threats for the Lions, but it’s Joe Daniher who will thrive against his old team. Brandon Zerk-Thatcher is likely to be the Bomber that goes to him, but with the sheer amount of ball that will go into the forward 50 and Daniher’s ability to drag his opponent upfield and burn him going the other way, the young Bomber is likely to watch his opponent kick at least two goals ($1.32).

Last week was a quiet one for Lachie Neale, who had 20 disposals as he battled a tough, hard-running Blues midfield that bats pretty deep. This week he will go toe-to-toe with a Bombers midfield that isn’t quite as strong as Carlton’s, either in physical stature or appetite for contested ball. It should be expected that the Brownlow Medal winner will bounce back this week in front of his home fans and secure at least 25 disposals ($1.40).

Key matchup: Charlie Cameron v Mason Redman

Charlie Cameron vs Mason Redman

Charlie Cameron’s skillset is ridiculous. He is tough given his size, can fly higher than anyone, and look out if he has the footy at ground level, such is his speed and elusiveness. But more than anything it’s his goal sense that is his biggest weapon; no matter where he is inside 50, he is always a chance to score. Cameron has won games off his own boot for the Lions year, and a player of his calibre will require special attention.

It was a toss-up between Mason Redman and Andrew McGrath in predicting who would go to Cameron, but ultimately Redman fits the best. The Bomber halfback had a career-best season last year showcasing his ability to lockdown any forward but also make them accountable going the other way. Redman can match Cameron in the air and limit his impact on the ground, but are the Bombers willing to sacrifice their biggest rebounding threat in order to stop Charlie?

Brisbane v Essendon betting strategy

Brisbane v Essendon same game multi

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