Second up on AFL Super Saturday in Round 9 is a highly-anticipated matchup between Essendon and GWS at Marvel Stadium. Both clubs have started the season brightly and bring some solid for into Saturday’s meeting, which should be a cracker. We have a full betting preview 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 9 Preview & Betting Tips
Essendon vs GWS
Saturday 4:35pm AEST, May 11th, Marvel Stadium
Essendon took care of business out west last weekend with a six-point win against the Eagles (77-71). They led at the end of each quarter and were able to hold out their fast-finishing opponents in a game they likely would’ve lost 12 months ago.
Captain Zach Merrett was outstanding once again with 29 disposals and three goals, and his partner in crime in Darcy Parish (36 disposals, 11 marks) was also superb as he continues to build into his season. However, it’s Sam Durham who has been one of the big difference makers for the Bombers this season. The former mid-season draft pick provides balance to the engine room with his two-way running and natural aggression.
The Bombers are now four games unbeaten with their last loss coming back in Round 4 against the Power. They’re 5-1-2 through eight rounds although are yet to take a major scalp, with their best win to date coming against the 11th placed Bulldogs.
Elsewhere, GWS will be licking their wounds after suffering a somewhat demoralising loss against the Swans in the Battle of the Bridge last weekend. The Giants were fast starters in that clash when opening up a 33-18 quarter time lead, but it was all one-way traffic after that as they eventually fell by 29 points (69-98).
However, they were undermanned in their recent loss with Stephen Coniglio missing through injury and Tom Green going down with an ankle in the first five minutes. The positive news for the Giants is both midfield guns have been named to play on Saturday.
The Giants will also have to rejig their forward line a touch this weekend with Callum Brown copping a three-week suspension for his nasty bump on Tom McCartin. The sparsely used Conor Stone will get his chance to prove himself at the top level.
Match Prediction: Although the Bombers have been ticking over the win column with regularity to begin the season, they’re still yet to prove themselves against the best teams in the competition and the Giants are certainly one of the elite.
On top of that, the Bombers desperately need to redeem themselves in this matchup after getting absolutely destroyed to the tune of 126 points in their recent meeting (19 Aug 2023).
The Bombers will clearly put in a much better account of themselves this time around, but I’m still not prepared to back them in against the Giants who get some of their key troops back this week. With that said, I’ll be having something small on the visitors to win and cover the spread.
Same Game Multi
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Sam Durham 20+ Disposals – One of the most improved players in the competition and looks to be that inside bull that the Bombers have been searching for. He’s in great form and should reach 20 here.
Harry Himmelberg 20+ Disposals – Super reliable and takes plenty of kick-ins which means easy touches. I expect him to have another good game here.
Kyle Langford 2+ Goals – Just continues to hit the scoreboard and is a really hard matchup. Expect him to be lively again in this one.
Darcy Jones 1+ Goal – The youngster has pace to burn and that’s an area that the Bombers lack in defence. He looks to be great value for one goal.
SGM Odds: $4.10 at BoomBet
