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

Adam Cusworth

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Last updated: Wed 30 Apr 2025 13:24

Adam Cusworth 30 Apr 2025

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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/L	Last 5 ATS	Last 5 O/U
3-2	2-3	2-3

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

ATS	Over/Under	1-39	40+
2-4	3-3	3-1	0-2

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/L	Last 5 ATS	Last 5 O/U
0-5	2-3	3-2

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