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Essendon Bombers vs North Melbourne Tips & Preview - Dons to fire against the Roos

Jeremy Darke

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Last updated: 18 May 2024

Jeremy Darke 18 May 2024

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Essendon vs North Melbourne expert predictions for Sunday’s AFL game
Essendon aim for a 50+ point victory against North Melbourne
Dons have shown significant improvement, defeating GWS and drawing with Collingwood

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Sir Doug Nicholls Round (Getty Images)

Essendon Bombers vs North Melbourne Preview

Essendon can stamp their authority on the league by crushing the Kangaroos by 50+ points and covering the huge line.

Essendon Bombers vs North Melbourne Preview
Head to Head
Essendon Bombers Form
Essendon Bombers Team News
Essendon Bombers Team List
North Melbourne Form
North Melbourne Team News
North Melbourne Team List

North Melbourne have failed to cover the line in their past 4 matches.
Essendon have covered the line in 4 of their past 5 matches.
North Melbourne averages 120 points against this season.
Matt Guelfi kicked 3 goals last week against GWS.

Head to Head

Essendon have beaten North Melbourne in their past 10 encounters, as most teams in the AFL unfortunately for Kangas fans.

The Bombers and Kangaroos faced each other twice last season with Essendon getting up by the slim margins of 6 points in Round 12 and 9 points in Round 22.

Essendon Bombers Form

The Bombers have been the biggest surprise packet of the 2024 season for me. What they did last weekend against the Giants, beating GWS 82-62, highlights the improvements that they have made at the club in the offseason with Ben McKay coming in and playing his role as a key defender, boosting the back six as a whole.

The Bombers held GWS to their lowest score of the season and found smooth ball through the midfield leading from both Nic Martin and Andrew McGrath.

In theory, the Bombers have now taken 6 points that they would not have expected at the start of the season with their win against the Giants and the draw against the Pies. If they continue to get wins over the mid-pack teams we should see Essendon play Finals Footy this season.

Essendon Bombers Team News

Jordan Ridley will undergo a late test on his injured quad, but looks in shape to make a return this week.

Both Sam Draper (knee) and Xavier Duursma (quad) will be out for over a month with their respective injuries.

Essendon Bombers Team List

B: D.Heppell, B.McKay, J.Laverde

HB: N.Martin, M.Redman, A.McGrath

C: M.Guelfi, D.Parish, J.Kelly

HF: S.Durham, K.Langford, J.Stringer

F: H.Jones, P.Wright, A.Davey Jnr

FOLL: T.Goldstein, J.Caldwell, Z.Merrett - C

I/C (FROM): B.Hobbs, D.Shiel, J.Gresham, N.Cox, A.Perkins, N.Bryan, N.Caddy

IN: D.Shiel, N.Bryan, N.Caddy

OUT: Nil

North Melbourne Form

The Kangas took another big loss in Round 10, going down to the Gold Coast 120-52, at TIO Stadium in Darwin.

Their loss to the Suns was probably one of their worst this season with the Gold Coast controlling everything and really kicking away.

North Melbourne have now conceded over 100 points in every game this season and the future looks very glum.

North Melbourne Team News

Young talent Colby McKercher suffered a foot injury last week and will miss this match, the extent of his injury is unknown at this time.

North Melbourne Team List

B: A.Corr, C.Comben, L.McDonald - C

HB: Z.Fisher, H.Sheezel, J.Archer

C: D.Tucker, L.Davies-Uniacke, B.Scott

HF: J.Stephenson, T.Powell, L.Shiels

F: P.Curtis, N.Larkey, C.Zurhaar

FOLL: T.Xerri, G.Wardlaw, J.Simpkin

I/C (FROM): M.Bergman, C.Taylor, H.Greenwood, T.Pink, D.Stephens, B.Drury, Z.Duursma

IN: J.Simpkin, M.Bergman, C.Taylor, T.Pink, D.Stephens, Z.Duursma

OUT: C.McKercher (Injured), W.Phillips (Omitted), R.Hardeman (Omitted)

Verdict

Essendon v North Melbourne

Matt Guelfi can be heavily involved up front for the Bombers and can kick at least two goals as Essendon get their biggest score of 114+ points and beat North Melbourne by 50 or more points.

Essendon -49.5

Handicap/Line

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