The 5 best bets & value odds for ANZAC Day – Bombers vs. Pies

Tuesday, April 25, 2017, 3.20 pm AEST, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Watch live on Channel 7 and Fox Footy.

The biggest game outside of the grand final is finally upon us.

The traditional clash between Essendon and Collingwood is always the headline event of the ANZAC weekend irrespective of ladder positions, and this year is vitally important for both sides.

Neither the Bombers nor the Magpies have started the season in a fashion they would have liked but a round five victory could kick start their seasons, while the loser may have to face the realisation that finals may be beyond them.

Rather than bore you with the match preview we have elected to pick our best bets from the individual markets and thankfully there are some bookmaker bonuses backing our bets in.

Zac Merrett ANZAC Day Medal

The prolific Bomber Zach Merett has dispelled any thoughts that his brilliant season in 2016 was a flash in the pan, elevating himself to the next level in 2017.

The stoutly built on-baller knows how to find the ball, kick goals and lay bulk tackles – everything that catches the eye with the judges.

Using odds boost extra punters can get $9.50 at Ladbrokes.com.au for Zach Merrett to win the ANZAC Medal and we are struggling to mount a case as to who can stop the brilliant Bomber if he catches fire on the MCG.

Tip: Zach Merrett to win the ANZAC Medal ($9.50 with Ladbrokes.com.au)

Alex Fasolo First Goal Scorer Selection

The man they call “Faz” has been a lone hand up forward at times for the Pies, and the mercurial Pie has not let his coach down.

Multiple times this season Fasolo has nailed the opening goal of the match, and given Essendon has no true small defender capable of stopping a crafty goal sneak Faz could get off the chain early.

We are backing Fasolo to get in on the action early on ANZAC Day.

Tip: Alex Fasolo to kick the first goal of the match ($9 at WilliamHill.com.au)

Most Goals Group 1 – Joe Daniher

The stage looks set for a big performance from Joe Daniher.

The son of a gun has been sporadically good throughout the opening month of football without being spectacular, but the big man can potentially exploit a cobbled together Collingwood defence.

If Daniher gets a taste for it early there will be no stopping him, and we like the price on Sportsbet for him to lead all comers.

Tip: Joe Daniher to kick the most goals of group 1 ($4.50 at Sportsbet.com.au)

To get 30 or more disposals – Dyson Heppell

The new Essendon captain started the season in glittering fashion but has slipped away a bit since, but one thing he knows how to do is find the football.

The long-haired on-baller is even money to get 30 or more touches, which would see him hit the average disposal mark of his last two games against the Pies.

Tip: Dyson Heppell to get 30 or more disposals ($2 at Sportsbet.com.au)

Daniel Wells goal specials

The big money recruit from North Melbourne makes his long-awaited debut in the black and white strips, and if history tells us anything it is that the smooth-moving on-baller knows how to find the goals.

There is a big chance Wells will spend a lot of time up forward given he is playing just his second competitive game of football in 2017, which enhances his goal scoring chances exponentially.
When we went through the goal markets we could not believe that Wells was paying $1.80 to kick a goal at anytime on ANZAC Day given his goal sense, but we are happy to take the inflated odds.

Tip: Daniel Wells to kick a goal at anytime ($1.80 at Sportsbet.com.au)