AFL Round 10 continues on Saturday with the usual five-game slate on the schedule. Here, we focus on the blockbuster fixture between Richmond and Essendon and bring you our best betting tips!
As always, we have you covered with a full preview and betting tips for the game and remember to head to our AFL Tips page, where you can catch our coverage of all the Round 10 action.
Richmond vs Essendon Betting Tips
MCG, Saturday 21st May 7:30pm (AEST)
Richmond
Injuries: Noah Balta (Hamstring), Jack Graham (Toe), Marlion Pickett (Suspension)
The Tigers continue to have one of the smallest injury lists in the competition, which certainly hasn’t been the case in years gone by. Noah Balta, Jack Graham and Marlion Pickett are the only players unavailable to play, while youngster Josh Gibcus is set to return after missing due to health and safety protocols last weekend.
After a shaky 2-4 start to the season, the Tigers have hit their straps over the last three weeks with wins against the Eagles, Magpies and Hawks. The most impressive part of their current winning run has been their ability to put huge scores on the board. They’ve scored a combined 395 points across their last three matches and have conceded only 236. Tom Lynch has cashed in with 17 goals in that span, which has him sitting at the top of the Coleman Medal race.
Essendon
Injuries: Jye Caldwell (Shoulder), Nick Cox (Foot), Michael Hurley (Hip), Harrison Jones (Ankle), Kyle Langford (Hamstring), Andrew Phillips (Hamstring), Will Snelling (Calf), James Stewart (Calf), Jake Stringer (Hamstring), Patrick Voss (Foot)
The Bombers have an extensive injury list heading into Round 10, with multiple players in their best 22 unable to take part. Jye Caldwell, Nick Cox, Michael Hurley, Kyle Langford, James Stewart and Jake Stringer are all important personnel who will be missed on Saturday night.
The Bombers have been under attack from the media in recent weeks due to some very substandard results. They were absolutely no match for the Swans in their most recent outing, going down by 58 points on the road, which was already their fifth loss by at least five goals this season. The Bombers have only won two games as we head into Round 10 and they sit in 16th spot as a result, only ahead of two very poor sides in the Kangaroos and the Eagles.
Match Prediction
The Tigers are in winning form and look to be getting back to some of their best football at the moment, which has certainly been helped by the return of superstar Dustin Martin. They get a chance to make it four wins in a row when they take on the Bombers in this Dreamtime at the G fixture, a team they’ve beaten in each of their last 11 meetings. I expect history to repeat itself once again and for the Tigers to come out victorious in an entertaining affair.
Richmond Tigers 1-39 (1.5 UNITS)
$2.20
Prop Bets
Tom Lynch enters this fixture in career-best form having already kicked 31 goals this season. He’s kicked 17 goals over his last three games, which is the best return of his career over such a span. Against a Bombers team that gives up over 102 points per contest, Lynch has the chance to kick another big bag here.
Tom Lynch 4+ Goals ($3.10 Ladbrokes)
Continuing on the theme of the Bombers giving up big scores, I also like the chances of Dustin Martin cashing in on Saturday night. Dusty has spent a lot of time up forward in the two games since his return to action, kicking a combined five goals. He remains good value for multiple goals in this one.
Dustin Martin 2+ Goals ($1.75 Ladbrokes)
There isn’t much value in the disposal markets in this match, but one I do like is for youngster Sam Durham to have 15 or more. His teammates love getting the ball in his hands due to his elite kick and he’s had 15+ touches in four of the last five matches as a result. He should be good for another 15+ here.
Sam Durham 15+ Disposals ($1.78 Ladbrokes)
