Essendon v North Melbourne AFL tips & odds | Round 8, 2025

Essendon vs North Melbourne best bets

Essendon vs North Melbourne match preview

Essendon will be looking to bounce back into winning form when they face North Melbourne to kick off Round 8 of the 2025 AFL season at Marvel Stadium this Thursday night.

With just one win so far this season, it is no surprise to see the Kangaroos enter this match as underdogs at $3.10 with leading online bookies. Meanwhile, the Bombers are at $1.42, with the line set at 16.5 points.

Last Friday, Essendon suffered defeat in the annual ANZAC Day clash, falling to Collingwood by 41 points. The Dons led early in the third term but fell apart late in the game, conceding 10 of the last 12 goals.

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This takes Brad Scott’s side down to 12th on the AFL ladder with a record of 3-3. But with all their wins coming over sides outside the top eight, expectations remain low, with top Aussie bookmakers giving them the long odds of $8.50 to play finals.

Meanwhile, there were some overdue signs of life for North Melbourne as they fell in a thriller to Port Adelaide in South Australia. Trailing for the whole game, the Roos pushed hard in the fourth quarter but fell nine points short as inaccuracy cost them dearly.

Although a step in the right direction, it was a fifth straight loss for the Kangaroos, who now sit 17th on the ladder. While the likes of West Coast and Richmond are also struggling, North Melbourne are right in the mix for the wooden spoon at $4 with top sports betting sites.

Essendon vs North Melbourne team news

Essendon pair Dylan Shiel and Harrison Jones have both been cleared to play despite suffering injuries in the loss to Collingwood. Meanwhile, emergencies Elijah Tsatas and Saad El-Hawli are in the mix to return to the side.

North Melbourne are set to be without star small forward Paul Curtis after he was given a three-match suspension for a dangerous tackle. This will likely mean Zane Duursma is promoted from the role of substitute, while Robert Hansen Jr is in the mix to return.

Essendon vs North Melbourne multibet picks

With three consecutive wins prior to their loss to the Pies last Friday, expect the Bombers to get back to winning ways in this clash. They have won the past 11 matches against the Kangaroos, so back them to secure the four points while covering the line of 16.5 points at $1.90 with leading AFL bookmakers.

Essendon tall forward Peter Wright is the one to watch in this Essendon forward line. He has kicked eight goals in his two games in 2025, while he has kicked more majors against North Melbourne than any other club. At $2.60 with Neds, back him to continue his good form with three or more goals.

Leading the way for the Kangaroos in 2025, Harry Sheezel sits fourth in the AFL for disposals. The 20-year-old playmaker loves to collect cheap footy, as he has tallied over 30 disposals in three of his last four games. Sheezel has collected 32 touches in each of the last two meetings between the sides, so back him for 30 or more disposals at $2.15 with Bet365.

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