West Coast v Essendon AFL tips & best odds | Round 8, 2024
| West Coast Eagles vs Essendon Bombers AFL Betting Odds & Game Info | |
|---|---|
| Best odds | West Coast +155 at Unibet | Essendon -188.68 at PlayUp |
| When | Saturday, May 4 | 6:10pm AWST |
| Where | Optus Stadium, Perth |
| Last time they met | Essendon 10.13.73 – West Coast 11.6.72 (Rd 21, 2023) |
| Watch live | Fox Sports, Kayo |
Eagles v Bombers best bets
West Coast +11.5
Jake Waterman 3+ goals
Nic Martin 30+ disposals
West Coast v Essendon Rd 8 match preview
The West Coast Eagles are back at Optus Stadium this Saturday as they host the seventh-placed Essendon Bombers in round eight of the AFL season.
Last Saturday, it was a bit of a reality check for the Eagles as their run of consecutive victories was crushed with a 37-point loss to the Gold Coast Suns. Despite leading early in the third term, it was all one-way traffic from there as the Suns kicked 10 of the last 14 goals in the match.
Despite the loss, the Eagles are still in much better shape than expected. Having come into the season as favourites for the wooden spoon with top AFL betting sites, the Eagles have been competitive in the past month despite key injuries.
The Eagles have some key inclusions as number one draft pick Harley Reid and key defender Tom Barrass return to the side, while small forward Noah Long is also available. The likes of Harry Edwards, Campbell Chesser and veteran Dom Sheed could be the ones to make way.
Essendon played out a famous ANZAC Day clash last Thursday, fighting out a draw with the Magpies. Both sides had their chances to win it, with Bombers captain Zach Merrett winning the ANZAC Medal after having 30 disposals and nine tackles.
Since their humbling 69-point defeat to Port Adelaide in round four, the Bombers have not lost a game. Their percentage of 93.7 is the worst among the top 14 teams, however, and they would be viewing this fixture as a chance to boost that number.
Essendon key forward Harrison Jones has been cleared after he sustained a head knock against the Pies. But expect a selection squeeze in the midfield as Archie Perkins returns from a hamstring injury, while Elijah Tsatas is a chance for a recall after collecting 40 disposals in the VFL.
West Coast v Essendon betting predictions
The Essendon Bombers have an excellent opportunity to establish themselves inside the top eight. However, they have often struggled on the road in recent times, recording one win from three games outside Melbourne this year. The Eagles have won their past two matches at Optus Stadium, so look for value in the +11.5 handicap at $1.90 with top AFL bookmakers.
With 15 goals in his last three matches, Eagles forward Jake Waterman has emerged as a star in 2024. Third in the Coleman Medal race, he has filled the void left by injured skipper Oscar Allen as the marking target inside 50. Waterman is a similar profile to Collingwood’s Brody Mihocek, who had seven shots on goal last Thursday, so there is value is backing him for three or more majors at $2.65 with online bookmakers.
Playing a new role in 2024, Essendon’s Nic Martin has been prolific on the half-back line. Leading the AFL in metres gained, the 23-year-old averages 31.1 disposals per game and takes a majority of the kick-ins. Martin was excellent against the Pies and offers great value for 30 or more disposals at $2.15 with BetOnline.
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