Essendon will take on Gold Coast in a must win clash for both sides this Saturday night at Marvel Stadium from 7.30pm. As always, we have you covered with a full preview and betting tips for the Round 22 action below.
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AFL Round 22 Preview & Betting Tips
Essendon vs Gold Coast
Marvel Stadium, Saturday 7.30pm (AEST)
What a strange season its been to date for the Gold Coast Suns. When playing at home, they have looked like arguably the best team in the league, currently maintaining a 9-2 record. On the road, however, its been a completely different story. They are still yet to find their first win on the road, currently sitting at a dismal 0-9 when travelling.
The season has been a tale of two halves for the Bombers as well, but split by time rather than location. The Bombers started the season like a house on fire, winning eight of their first 11 games to sit comfortably inside the top four. Since then, however, they are 3-6 and despite a great win over the Dockers last week, they sit outside the top eight by two points.
The Bombers will make just one change for the clash with Xavier Duursma coming out of the side after a hamstring injury in the win over the Dockers. In his place, Ben Hobbs has been named on the five man bench, but looks likely to start as the sub.
It’s been a busier week at the selection table for the Suns, who have made four changes as Jack Lukosius, Malcolm Ross, Brayden Fiorini and Joel Jeffrey have all been omitted after the disappointing loss to the Eagles last week. Jed Walter, Alex Davies, Jake Rogers and Connor Budarick will all come into the side.
The Bombers start as 12.5 point favourites at home and I like them at that line after they bounced back from a tough stretch to claim a great win over the Dockers last week. When the two teams met on the Gold Coast back in Round 12, the Suns came away 11 point winners, but their form away from home has consistently been too poor to overlook. It’s a clear trend and one I’m happy to side with here.
Essendon -12.5
$1.90 (2 Units)
Same Game Multi
Over 171.5 Total Points - The two sides put up exactly 171 points in their Round 12 clash on the Gold Coast, which I think will be boosted slightly with perfect conditions under the roof this week. The average total score in the last three Essendon games has been 190.
Jake Stringer 2+ Goals - Stringer failed to hit the scoreboard in the Round 12 game but has only had one goalless game since that date. In a good vein of form at the moment, having booted 14 goals in his last seven games.
Nic Martin 25+ Disposals - Had 24 in the Round 12 game against the Suns and has since been a solid accumulator, picking up 25+ in 4/8 games but is averaging 24.1 in that time.
SGM Odds: $3.60 at BoomBet
