The final game of the three game Saturday slate in the AFL sees the Bombers ‘hosting’ the Tigers from Optus Stadium in the Dreamtime game. As usual, PuntingInDanger has you covered with a full preview and AFL tips for the clash below.
AFL Essendon vs Richmond Betting Tips
Optus Stadium, Saturday 7.40pm (AEST)
The headline clash of Super Saturday in the AFL sees the Bombers and Tigers squaring off in ‘Dreamtime at Perth’. The game sold out in just 17 hours, so it’s safe to say that Perth has embraced the Dreamtime game as their own for this season.
Match Prediction
It’s been a long time since the Bombers have defeated the Tigers in the AFL, but their resurgence this season, led by an exciting core of young players has to give them hope against a battered Richmond outfit in Perth.
The Bombers were fantastic in Round 11, defeating the Eagles at Optus Stadium on Saturday night in a thrilling contest. The midfield trio of Darcy Parish, Zach Merrett and Andrew McGrath continued their dominant season, racking up a monster 97 touches between them in the win while star forward Jake Stringer looked back to his damaging best with three goals.
The Tigers also earned a good win on the road in Round 11, travelling Sydney to take on Adelaide on Sunday afternoon. They won by 28 points on the back of strong games from forwards Jack Riewoldt and Callum Coleman-Jones, who will need to be good again with Tom Lynch out for an extended period.
The Tigers still have some injury problems, but have been slowly getting back key players over the last few weeks. Tom Lynch, David Astbury, Toby Nankervis and Kane Lambert remain on the sidelines but they could get Shane Edwards back this week.
The Bombers have a long list of injuries at the moment, but that won’t bother them too much as it allows them to get extremely valuable playing time into their emerging stars. Out for them this weekend will be the likes of Jye Caldwell, Aaron Francis, Michael Hurley, Devon Smith, Dylan Shiel and Peter Wright.
The Bombers have had a torrid time against Richmond in recent history. they have lost their last 10 games straight against the Tigers by an average margin of 24.4 points. The Tigers are still quite affected by injury but I think they have enough cattle to get across the line against the Bombers, especially now that they have Prestia, Cotchin and Edwards back in the midfield.
Tigers -12.5 (1.5 Units)
$1.90
Same Game Multi
Really like the Tigers to win this one so I’m going to have them as the anchor leg in the Sportsbet same game multi at around $1.50. To bump the odds up I’m adding Jayden Short to have 20+ disposals, a feat he has achieved in every game this season and Zac Merrett to have 25+ disposals, which he has accomplished in all but one game this season.
Tigers H2H
Short 20+ Disposals
Merrett 25+ Disposals
ESS vs RICH Same Game Multi
$2.10
