AFL
  • Home
  • AFL

Essendon Bombers vs North Melbourne Kangaroos AFL Tips - Bombers to continue recent dominance against the Kangaroos

adam-cusworth
Editor
Last updated: 30 Apr 2025
Adam Cusworth 30 Apr 2025
Share this article
Or copy link
  • Essendon Bombers vs North Melbourne Kangaroos expert predictions for Thursday’s Round 8 AFL game
  • The game will be played at Marvel Stadium, with the bounce at 7:30 PM (AEST)
  • Can North Melbourne cause an upset in Thursday night footy?
  • Preview, expert analysis, stats, team news & best bet
Wright expected to kick a bag!

Essendon Bombers vs North Melbourne Kangaroos, Round 8 2025 - Expert Prediction

  • Essendon Bombers vs North Melbourne Kangaroos, Round 8 2025 - Expert Prediction
  • Head to Head
  • Essendon Bombers Form Analysis & Betting Trends
  • Essendon Bombers Team News
  • Essendon Bombers Team List
  • North Melbourne Kangaroos Form Analysis & Betting Trends
  • North Melbourne Kangaroos Team News
  • North Melbourne Kangaroos Team List

Essendon can move their win-loss record into the positive territory with a win over struggling North Melbourne on Friday night. 

The Bombers sit on 3-3 after six matches played and come off a 40-point loss to Collingwood on ANZAC Day. 

North Melbourne are 1-6 and put up a solid fight against Port Adelaide in Round 7 before going down by nine. 

The Roos showed promise last weekend but those sorts of performances have been few and far between. 

Alistair Clarkson’s side also need to overcome a poor recent record against Essendon that has seen the Bombers win the last 11 matches between the two sides. 

Given the Roos issues in defence, we can expect Essendon to kick a winning score with Peter Wright amongst the goals, while Zach Merrett can continue his good form in the middle. 

  • Essendon have won the last 11 matches between the two sides
  • Peter Wright kicked four goals the last time the two sides met
  • Zach Merrett is averaging over 30 disposals this season
  • The Bombers are 3-3, the Kangaroos are 1-5

Head to Head

 
Essendon have won the last 11 matches between the two sides. Round 10 of 2024 was the most recent encounter, a 40 point win for the Dons with Peter Wright booting four goals and Nic Martin picking up 27 disposals. Luke Davies-Uniacke had 27 for the Roos as well as two majors. 

Seven of the 11 wins have been decided by less than 40 points. Harry Sheezel has averaged 28 disposals for North Melbourne in his last three matches against Essendon. Kyle Langford has kicked 10 goals from his past four. 

Essendon Bombers Form Analysis & Betting Trends


Recent Form
Last 5 W/LLast 5 ATSLast 5 O/U
3-22-32-3
Essendon won three games on the trot before their loss to Collingwood. Those victories came against Port Adelaide, Melbourne and West Coast. 

Despite winning the hitouts last weekend, the Bombers were beaten at the clearances and stoppages by a well drilled Magpies outfit leading to 43 inside 50s to 56. 

They will look to get their hands on the ball a bit more this week and over the course of the season, the Bombers top the competition for disposals per game. Zach Merrett is leading the way at 30+ disposals per game. 

The lack of scoring options up forward could bring North Melbourne into the game. Peter Wright has kicked eight goals in the past two weeks and is likely to be a focal point. 

2025 Betting Trends
ATSOver/Under1-3940+
2-43-33-10-2

Essendon Bombers Team News


No injuries to come out of the ANZAC Day match for Essendon. Matt Guelfi and Nik Cox are edging closer towards a return. Elijah Tsatsas has some solid VFL form and will be considered. 

Essendon Bombers Team List


B: A.McGrath, B.McKay, J.Ridley
HB: M.Redman, Z.Reid, J.Prior
C: X.Duursma, Z.Merrett - C, H.Jones
HF: J.Gresham, N.Caddy, N.Martin
F: K.Langford, P.Wright, I.Kako
FOLL: T.Goldstein, B.Hobbs, S.Durham

INT: E.Tsatas, W.Setterfield, A.Perkins, A.Roberts, J.Menzie
EMG: L.Hayes, S.El-Hawli, A.Day-Wicks

In: E.Tsatas
Out: D.Shiel (Managed)

North Melbourne Kangaroos Form Analysis & Betting Trends


Recent Form
Last 5 W/LLast 5 ATSLast 5 O/U
0-52-33-2
North Melbourne produced an improved performance last weekend with their nine-point loss to Port. Their four losses prior to that came at an average margin of just under 60 points. 

They conceded 97 points to Port Adelaide, just the second time this season they have given up less than 100. The Roos remain the side that are conceding the most points per game. 

Harry Sheezel picked up 30 disposals last weekend, while Luke Davies-Uniacke and Luke Parker both had 25+. North ranks 3rd for disposals per game this season but that hasn't translated to inside 50s, ranking 16th. 

2025 Betting Trends
ATSOver/Under1-3940+
4-35-20-31-3

North Melbourne Kangaroos Team News


The Roos lose one of their key goalkickers, Paul Curtis, due to suspension. He has kicked 18 goals from seven matches, level with Nick Larkey. 

North Melbourne Kangaroos Team List


B: C.Comben, K.Dawson, J.Archer
HB: L.McDonald, C.Daniel, T.Powell
C: F.O’Sullivan, L.Davies-Uniacke, C.McKercher
HF: D.Stephens, N.Larkey, H.Sheezel
F: C.Zurhaar, J.Darling, J.Konstanty
FOLL: T.Xerri, L.Parker, J.Simpkin - C

INT: Z.Duursma, B.Scott, R.Hardeman, W.Phillips, F.Maley
EMG: A.Corr, D.Tucker, R.Hansen Jr

In: B.Scott, W.Phillips, F.Maley
Out: D.Tucker (Omitted), P.Curtis (Suspension), G.Wardlaw (Injured)

Verdict

Bombers to cover the line with Wright and Langford amongst the goals
Best Bet1: Essendon -16.5 Line -16.5 $1.90 at Ladbrokes Australia - 2 Units
Best Bet2: Peter Wright To Kick 2+ goals $1.53 at Ladbrokes Australia - 2 Units
Best Bet3: Peter Wright To Kick 3+ goals $2.60 at Ladbrokes Australia - 1 Unit
Best Bet4: Kyle Langford To Kick 2+ goals $1.60 at PuntZone - 1 Unit
Essendon -16.5
Line -16.5
$1.90 - 2 Units
Australia's #1 bookmaker
Use the code "BLACKBOOK"

The Ladbrokes.com.au code is BLACKBOOK. 18+ only. T&Cs apply. Chances are you're about to lose. Set a deposit limit.

Bet at Ladbrokes Australia
Peter Wright
To Kick 2+ goals
$1.53 - 2 Units
Australia's #1 bookmaker
Use the code "BLACKBOOK"

The Ladbrokes.com.au code is BLACKBOOK. 18+ only. T&Cs apply. Chances are you're about to lose. Set a deposit limit.

Bet at Ladbrokes Australia
Peter Wright
To Kick 3+ goals
$2.60 - 1 Unit
Australia's #1 bookmaker
Use the code "BLACKBOOK"

The Ladbrokes.com.au code is BLACKBOOK. 18+ only. T&Cs apply. Chances are you're about to lose. Set a deposit limit.

Bet at Ladbrokes Australia
Kyle Langford
To Kick 2+ goals
$1.60 - 1 Unit
The Nation's Favourite Betting Site
Sign up code is BET

18+. T&Cs apply. The PuntZone sign up code BET is available for customers joining the new betting site.

Bet at PuntZone

Top Betting Sites

special-offer-1Betting offers

Betting Slip | 01 May 2025

Essendon v North Melbourne