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Essendon Bombers vs Collingwood Magpies AFL Round 7 Tips - Pies Win & Daicos Best On Ground

Ryan Tucker

Editor

Last updated: Thu 23 Apr 2026 12:30

Ryan Tucker 23 Apr 2026

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The game will be played at MCG on Saturday, 25th April, with the bounce at 3:15 PM (AEDT)
Essendon bring effort and pressure but struggle to finish games.
Collingwood's composure and efficiency make them favorites for the win.
Magpies projected to win by 25+ points; Nick Daicos is a standout player.

Essendon Bombers vs Collingwood Magpies

Essendon Bombers vs Collingwood Magpies, Round 7 2026 - Expert Prediction

There’s always extra weight on this matchup, and ANZAC Day brings a level of intensity and pressure that few other games can match. But even with that in mind, the gap between these two sides is clear.

Essendon Bombers vs Collingwood Magpies, Round 7 2026 - Expert Prediction
Head to Head Stats
Essendon Bombers Form Analysis
Collingwood Magpies Form Analysis
Essendon Bombers vs Collingwood Magpies Team List & News
Essendon Bombers vs Collingwood Magpies AFL 2026 Round 7 FAQ’s

Essendon bring effort, pressure, and a midfield that can compete, but Collingwood bring polish, composure, and the ability to execute when it matters most.

The Bombers pushed Gold Coast all the way last week, scoring 110 points and winning the clearance battle, but still couldn’t get the job done. That’s been a recurring theme. They can match sides for long stretches, but they struggle to finish games off.

Collingwood are the opposite. Their five-point win over Carlton highlighted exactly why they remain so dangerous. Down by 18 points at three-quarter time, they surged late, driven by Nick Daicos, to steal the game.

That ability to absorb pressure and take control late is crucial in big games like this.

The model also points firmly in Collingwood’s direction, projecting a comfortable win and highlighting value on the current line. With Essendon conceding heavily this season and Collingwood far more efficient with ball in hand, the Magpies should have the edge across four quarters.

Expect a competitive start, but as the game wears on, Collingwood’s class and decision-making should separate them. The margin looks more controlled than a blowout, while the total leans Under given the occasion and Collingwood’s defensive profile.

Collingwood have won 3 of the last 5 meetings, including a 41-point win last year
Essendon pushed Gold Coast with 110 points but still fell short
Magpies overturned an 18-point deficit last week to beat Carlton
Model projects Collingwood by 25+ points with value on the line
Nick Daicos has dominated this fixture and looms as ANZAC Day Medal favourite

Head to Head Stats

This fixture has produced some tight contests in recent years, but Collingwood have generally had the upper hand.

They dominated the most recent meeting with a 41-point win and have consistently found ways to break games open against Essendon, particularly through their ability to control possession and transition efficiently.

The MCG setting and ANZAC Day atmosphere often lead to high-pressure contests, but historically, Collingwood have handled those moments better, particularly in close finishes.

Essendon Bombers Form Analysis

Essendon are showing signs of improvement, particularly through the midfield.

Their performance against Gold Coast last week was full of positives. They won the clearance battle, applied strong pressure, and generated 110 points, which is more than enough to win most games.

Darcy Parish and Elijiah Tsatas were excellent around stoppages, while Zac Merrett and Archie Roberts provided strong ball use.

The concern remains their ability to sustain performance and close out games. Even when they generate momentum, they can be vulnerable defensively and allow opposition teams back into contests.

They are conceding around 100 points per game across their last five, which becomes a major issue against a side like Collingwood that can capitalise on mistakes.

Collingwood Magpies Form Analysis

Collingwood’s strength lies in their composure and efficiency.

They don’t always dominate statistically, but they consistently make better decisions with the ball and punish opposition errors. That was evident again last week, where they turned a losing position into a win through smart ball movement and elite execution.

Nick Daicos continues to be the driving force, capable of taking over games when required, while the broader midfield group supports him with strong two-way running and pressure.

Defensively, the Magpies are far more reliable than Essendon, conceding significantly fewer points and controlling the tempo of games when needed.

In high-pressure matches, particularly on big stages like ANZAC Day, that composure becomes even more valuable.

Essendon Bombers vs Collingwood Magpies Team List & News

Essendon: Jaxon Prior and Dyson Sharp return, with Jordan Ridley injured and Jade Gresham omitted.

Collingwood: Jordan De Goey and Steele Sidebottom have both been cleared to return, while Darcy Moore remains out.

Essendon	POS	Collingwood
J. Prior, B. McKay, A. McGrath	B	B. Frampton, J. Howe, B. Maynard
A. Roberts, Z. Reid, J. Farrow	HB	I. Quaynor, H. Perryman, J. Daicos
X. Duursma, J. Caldwell, A. Day-Wicks	C	J. Crisp, S. Pendlebury, R. Steele
S. Durham, N. Caddy, K. Langford	HF	B. McCreery, P. Lipinski, L. Schultz
I. Kako, A. May, T. Edwards	F	D. McStay, J. Elliott, T. Membrey
P. Wright, D. Parish, Z. Merrett	FOLL	O. Steene, A. Anderson, N. Daicos
E. Tsatas, S. Robey, D. Sharp, S. El-Hawli, L. Blakiston	I/C	J. De Goey, D. Houston, D. Cameron, S. Sidebottom, W. Hayes

Essendon Bombers vs Collingwood Magpies AFL 2026 Round 7 FAQ’s

How to watch Essendon Bombers vs Collingwood Magpies AFL 2026 Round 7?

You can watch the Essendon Bombers vs Collingwood Magpies AFL 2026 Round 7 game via Fox Sports or Kayo Sports. If you are watching from outside of Australia the WatchAFL app is the perfect solution.

How to buy tickets to Essendon Bombers vs Collingwood Magpies AFL 2026 Round 7?

To buy tickets to the Essendon Bombers vs Collingwood Magpies AFL 2026 Round 7 game check the AFL website or the official Essendon Bombers site.

Verdict

Essendon Bombers v Collingwood Magpies

Expect a competitive start, but as the game wears on, Collingwood’s class and decision-making should separate them. The margin looks more controlled than a blowout so take 1-39, while the total leans Under given the occasion and Collingwood’s defensive profile.

Collingwood 1-39

Winning Margin

$2.05 - 2 Units

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Game Total

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Nick Daicos

Best on Ground

$3.50 - 1 Unit

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