West Coast Eagles vs Essendon Bombers Tips & Preview - Bombers to dominate Eagles in Good Friday AFL

Adam Cusworth

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Last updated: 16 Apr 2025

Adam Cusworth 16 Apr 2025

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West Coast Eagles vs Essendon Bombers expert predictions for Friday’s Round 6 AFL game
Essendon won last four matches against West Coast
Bombers' Zach Merrett is averaging 33 disposals per game

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Jye Menzie (Getty Images)

West Coast Eagles vs Essendon Bombers Preview
Head to Head
West Coast Eagles Form
West Coast Eagles Team News
Essendon Bombers Form
Essendon Bombers Team News

West Coast Eagles vs Essendon Bombers Preview

Essendon should move to 3-2 for the year with a comfortable win over struggling West Coast on Good Friday. Take the Bombers to cover the line with Jye Menzie to be among the goals again.

West Coast’s five losses this year have been by an average margin of 59 points
The Eagles conceded a whopping 73 inside 50s against the Blues last weekend
Jye Menzie booted four goals for Essendon in Gather Round
West Coast are conceding 17 goals per game this season

Head to Head

Essendon have won the last four matches between the two sides, including both encounters in 2024, a six-point margin at Optus Stadium in Round 8, as well as a 30-point win at Marvel Stadium in Round 15.

Zach Merrett has averaged just under 30 disposals in his past four matches against the Eagles. Oscar Allen has booted eight goals from his last three for West Coast.

The Bombers have won three of their past four against the Eagles at Optus Stadium.

West Coast Eagles Form

West Coast’s five losses this year have been by an average margin of 59 points. Three of those were greater than 39.5 points, while another was by 38 points. Scoring has been a major issue, going at just 8.2 goals per game, the worst in the competition.

The Eagles are also struggling to find the footy, ranking last in the competition for disposals. Liam Baker is averaging 23 disposals per game, while Ryan Maric is the only other player at 20+.

West Coast also rank last at inside 50 differential (-23.6 per game) and clearance differential (-15), putting a heap of pressure on their defence, conceding 17 goals per game, the most of any side.

West Coast Eagles Team News

No injuries out of the Carlton match. Elijah Hewett is a chance to return from a calf injury, while Tim Kelly is some chance of a recall after playing WAFL last weekend. Jeremy McGovern is expected to miss another week.

Essendon Bombers Form

Essendon lost their first two matches of the season and were competitive against Hawthorn in Round 1 (26-point loss) before suffering a blowout to Adelaide in Round 2 (100-161). Since then, the Bombers have defeated Port Adelaide by 12 and Melbourne by 39.

Zach Merrett has been a standout player and has firmed in Brownlow Medal betting, averaging 33 disposals from his four matches. The Bombers will look to control this with uncontested possession and rank 4th in the competition for this measure, leading to an average of 55 inside 50’s per game.

The only question mark surrounding them is their lack of an obvious target up forward. Sam Draper and Zach Merrett have drifted down this season to kick six from four matches, leading the goal kicking table at Bomberland.

Jade Gresham, Nate Caddy and Jye Menzie are going at 1+ goal per game and should find the big sticks at some stage in this encounter.

Essendon Bombers Team News

Essendon will lose their young ruckman, Nick Bryan, to a season ending knee injury.

Sam Draper may have to shoulder the load on his own in the ruck, or the Bombers could look to recalling the veteran, Todd Goldstein.

Peter Wright is another option, coming back from injury. Archie Perkins and Elijah Tsatsas are also chances to return.

Verdict

West Coast v Essendon

Essendon are back inflict more misery on struggling West Coast. Jye Menzie to continue good form with goals.

Essendon -31.5

Handicap

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