Round 17 in the 2024 AFL season is jam-packed with exciting matchups and it begins with a beauty on Friday night between Collingwood and Essendon at the MCG. As always, we bring you a full match preview, best bet, and Same Game Multi below!
Also, Before You Bet will be providing free previews and betting tips for EVERY game in the 2024 AFL season, so make sure to head over to out our AFL Tips regularly to keep up to date with all of our free content.
2024 AFL Round 17 Preview & Betting Tips
Collingwood vs Essendon
Friday 7:40pm AEST, July 5th, MCG
Collingwood set their recent game up against the Suns to make another great escape and despite hitting the lead in the fourth quarter, it was the Suns who held their nerve as they defeated the Magpies by 11 points (90-101).
The Magpies have made a habit of going down by sizeable margins and have a terrific record of fighting their way back to secure narrow wins, although coach Craig Mcrae was visibly frustrated after their recent defeat. The Pies have now lost two of their past four and are 2-1-2 in their past five.
Injuries continue to plague the Pies and they suffered another two last weekend with Beau McCreery and John Noble both going down. The pair are a part of three changes this week, with Lachie Schultz one of the important inclusions.
Essendon fans will be worried they’re about to see a similar capitulation in the second half of the season to what their side suffered last year. They amassed an impressive 8-1-2 record through the first 11 games but have won only one of their past four.
Last weekend’s game resulted in a disappointing 45-point loss against the out-of-form Cats (60-105). The Bombers had a run of bad calls go against them in the crucial third term, many of which even neutral fans were outraged by. However, the young Bombers got caught up in the decisions that went against them and ended up conceding an onslaught of goals which effectively decided the game.
The Bombers have made three moves at team selection this week, none of which were forced. Todd Goldstein has been managed which means Sam Draper will be the solo ruck with Peter Wright pinch-hitting, while Dyson Heppell will also sit out this week after notching up his 250th game last weekend. Dylan Shiel gets his chance in the seniors after putting together some great performances at the lower level.
Match Prediction: These clubs couldn’t be split when they met on Anzac Day earlier this season with the match ending in a draw (85-85). The Bombers blew a couple of chances late to steal the victory in what was one of the best games to watch so far this season.
It’s tough to split the pair in terms of the H2H market, although the bookies have priced the Magpies as the favourites. Still, that’s a market I’m keen to avoid here. Instead, I love going with the Any Other Results selection in the Wire-to-Wire market. Both clubs are huge momentum teams and lead changes at the end of quarters are quite frequent. This selection has saluted in 10 of the last 15 pies matches, 6 of the past 9 Bombers games, and 3 of the past 4 in games between these clubs.
Wire to Wire: Any Other Result
$2 (2 Units)
Same Game Multi
We’ve collaborated with exciting new bookmaker, QuestBet, to bring you a great value Same Game Multi for the opening game of each AFL & NRL round. Simply click this link or the image below to jump on our Magpies vs Bombers SGM.
Nick Daicos 30+ Disposals – The Bombers rarely employ a tagger and Nick is in terrific form. He should get to 30 again here.
Joe Richards 15+ Disposals – Is a sub watch after being the sub last game, but if he gets a full game on Friday he represents great value in the disposal markets.
Darcy Moore 15+ Disposals – He’s copped plenty in the media this week for his sub-par performances, and I expect a response from the Pies skipper.
Peter Wright 2+ Goals – Key forwards have been kicking goals against the Pies of late, and that bodes well for big 2m Peter. He’s also in decent form.
SGM Odds: $10 at QuestBet
