ANZAC Medal tips – Collingwood vs. Essendon odds & bookie specials

By Nathan Marotta

Wednesday, 25th April, ANZAC Day, 3:20 pm AEDT, 2018, MCG, Watch on Seven Network and on Fox Footy.

Collingwood and Essendon have been impatiently waiting all week for their traditional ANZAC Day clash at the MCG.

The equation is simple. A position in the top eight is open for the taking for the victor, while a loss leaves the vanquished in a precarious position early in the season.

This contest is consistently the biggest and most-watched event of the AFL home and away season. Given the form the two sides enter the game in, the game could rival many of the famous ANZAC clashes from the past.

Collingwood enter the match unchanged after its impressive 48-point victory over Adelaide in Round 4. Hamstring strain victims Taylor Adams and Darcy Moore are likely to return in Round 6 when they face the Richmond Tigers. Daniel Wells was unlucky not to be selected, but he made a statement in the VFL and was named best afield against the Essendon VFL squad.

John Worsfold’s men have bounced back nicely after being caught in a vicious slump. Beating Port Adelaide has boosted the Bombers’ confidence to a new high and they find themselves in fine form entering Wednesday’s blockbuster.

Essendon enter the match at near full-strength. The only change that was made at selection was the inclusion of Jackson Merrett — brother of midfield gun Zach — who replaces the injured Orazio Fantasia.

For many of the younger and newer players, this will be the first match in front of over 80,000 spectators. The winner of this game will be whichever can handle the early pressure and quickly adapt to their natural game.

With everything set in place for a modern day classic, here are the tips to add some more excitement on top of this mouth-watering exhibition.

Collingwood Magpies vs Essendon Bombers Round 5 – First To tips

First To 15 points

Essendon @ $1.94 with Sportsbet

The Bombers have caught the Magpies off guard many times in the past and we believe they will get the early jump once more. Look for the out-of-sorts Joe Daniher to enjoy a height advantage he has over the Collingwood backline and make an early impact.

First to 20 points in the second half

Collingwood @ $1.80 with Sportsbet

The third quarter is often referred to as the premiership quarter, normally implying that the team that plays best in the quarter will win the game. The Magpies, fuelled by its superior midfield and best ruckman in the competition — Brodie Grundy — should run over the Bombers in the second half.

Collingwood Magpies vs Essendon Bombers Round 5 – Team Total Points tips

Collingwood Magpies

80.5 Over/Under – Over @ $1.41 @ CrownBet

Earlier in the week heavy rain was predicted for the ANZAC match, but the weather has surprisingly cleared up and we can expect a sunny afternoon. Collingwood’s makeshift forward line has done well so far this year, considering it was projected to be the team’s main weakness. We expect the Pies to score heavily against the Bombers and expose the red and black backline.

Essendon Bombers

100.5 Over/Under – Under @ $1.37 with CrownBet

The Magpies are doing an incredible job at denying teams the opportunity to score. Last week they restricted the mighty Crows to a mere 58 points on their home deck. Essendon’s forward line is well-balanced and it is hard to find faults in it, but we believe the backline of the Pies is in brilliant form and can reduce Essendon to below triple digits.

Collingwood Magpies vs Essendon Bombers Round 5 – ANZAC Medal tip

Brodie Grundy @ $13.00 with Ladbrokes

Our pick for the best afield in this match is going to have to be Brodie Grundy. Tom Bellchambers is in for a difficult afternoon chasing the fittest and most mobile ruckman in the whole competition. Last week Grundy played the best game of his life and we believe he steps up in big situations. The ANZAC Medal will be placed around Brodie’s neck by the end of the day if he can reproduce what he manufactured last week.

Collingwood vs. Essendon Match Predictions

Match Result: Collingwood to win @ $1.81 with William Hill
Line Betting: Collingwood -2.5 @ $1.91 with William Hill

In what is going to be a close game until the third quarter, Collingwood will break away from the Bombers and pile on the goals to secure a well-earned victory. Steele Sidebottom is too strong and will be outrunning the Bombers all day long. He will break the game open for the Pies and alongside his midfield brigade will win the match.