Last week despite dominating the Swans in every facet of the game, the Bulldogs did not win the most important stat of all. That is not at all ideal for a team that should be challenging for finals. So far in 2023 the Bulldogs kicked over 100 points just three times, twice against Fremantle and once against North Melbourne. The biggest problem that the Western Bulldogs have had all year is that they can’t kick a winning score. Marcus Bontempelli of the Bulldogs celebrates kicking a goal. Zach Merrett – 30+ disposals: $1.60 (via Ladbrokes) Those three are keys to the way the Bombers will want to play, especially Merrett who averages 27 disposals a game at Docklands and has had seven games this season of 30 or more. Last week against Geelong, that dipped to 65 in what was a bitterly disappointing effort.

Two weeks ago against Adelaide, Zach Merrett, Darcy Parish and Andy McGrath dominated the game and had a combined 109 disposals in the blitz against the Crows. Over 20+ possessions in eight of 12 games and the last six on the bounce.īen Hobbs – 20+ disposals: $1.50 (via bet365) The Bombers midfield which had been doing such good things through the season all of a sudden went to water last week with Dyson Heppell having the most possessions (25).īen Hobbs is someone who is not talked about often in the Bombers midfield, but he has been doing a fantastic job this season. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty ImagesĪfter round 15 Essendon were sitting pretty on the ladder in sixth position and seemingly destined to play finals, just three games later Essendon are in eighth and are only a game ahead of 13th placed Gold Coast and could be outside of the eight with another loss on Friday night.Įssendon do return to Marvel Stadium where they have won all four games this season, kicking 100+ points three times and averaging 104 points per game, compared to 86 per game this season overall.Įssendon over 81.5 points: $1.87 (via Ladbrokes) The Bulldogs have had the Bombers’ number for some time, winning eight of their last nine encounters, including a 103-71 victory when the clubs last met in Round 7, 2022.įor over / under punters, four of the last five between the two sides have hit the overs and the Western Bulldogs have failed to cover the line in five of their last seven matches.Įssendon + 5.5 and Over 186.5 match points $3.75 (via Ladbrokes)īen Hobbs of the Bombers breaks a tackle attempt.

The Bombers were blown off the park by Geelong in Geelong and surely won‘t return to Geelong for another 20 years such was the embarrassment.Įssendon now holds a 2-4 record outside of Melbourne this season, compared to 7-4 in the city which includes four straight wins at Marvel Stadium and eight of nine overall in Docklands. With the winner boosting it’s finals chances and the loser more than likely out of the top eight by the end of the weekend makes Friday’s game between Essendon and the Western Bulldogs all the spicier.īoth teams are coming off of disappointing losses last week, with the Bulldogs losing to an undermanned Sydney by two points.

Essendon has won eight of its last nine matches at Marvel Stadium.

Essendon have won one of the last nine against the Bulldogs.

The Western Bulldogs have lost their last five night matches.

NFL footage © NFL Productions LLC.On Friday night at Marvel Stadium, reputations will go on the line as Essendon and the Western Bulldogs do battle with the loser looking increasingly likely to miss finals action.ĮSSENDON BOMBERS (9-8) v WESTERN BULLDOGS (9-8) BETTING PREVIEW

All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. NFL and the NFL shield design are registered trademarks of the National Football League.The team names, logos and uniform designs are registered trademarks of the teams indicated.

Giants lineup today