Essendon Bombers vs Port Adelaide Power Tips - Power to flex muscle against Bombers on Thursday night

Essendon are yet to open their account in 2025 and have some work to do after being smashed by Port Adelaide’s cross-town rivals, Adelaide, last weekend.

The Bombers were no match for the Crows run and dare tactics, going down by 62 points and conceding 25 goals, the most they have given up since 2006. Brad Scott’s side are yet to win in two matches and have some work to do.

Port Adelaide responded to a Round 1 belting at the hands of Collingwood by knocking over a young Richmond outfit by 62 points last weekend. The Power dominated the disposal count in that, picking up 478-297, en route to piling on 21 goals. Five players had 30+ disposals including Connor Rozee (39), while Mitch Georgiades snagged four majors.

While the Power were poor the last time they came to Melbourne, they have an excellent record at Marvel Stadium, winning 11 of their past 12 at the venue. They can cash in against a questionable Bombers defensive unit. Rozee and Jase Burgoyne will find a stack of the footy, while Georgiades and Willie Rioli can continue their good work in the forward line.

• Port Adelaide have won the past eight matches between the two sides by an average margin of 43 points.
• The Power have won 11 of their past 12 at Marvel Stadium.
• Mitch Georgiades has kicked 20 goals in Port Adelaide’s last seven wins
• Connor Rozee had 39 disposals last weekend and picked up 36 the last time the two sides met. 

Head to Head 

Port Adelaide have won the past eight matches between the two sides by an average margin of 43 points. Two of those were at Marvel Stadium, an 84-point margin in 2022 and a 59-point margin in 2019. Five of the eight have been by 39.5+.

Zach Merrett has averaged over 30 disposals in his past four appearances against the Power, while Connor Rozee has averaged 29. Rozee has found his way forward, booting eight in the last four matches.

Essendon Bombers Form Analysis & Betting Trends

Recent Form

Essendon have been leaking goals for some time now. Hawthorn broke the 100-point barrier in Round 1 before Adelaide absolutely smashed that last weekend. Over the course of their last 10 matches, they rank 15th for points conceded with only Richmond, West Coast and North Melbourne giving up more.

They have lost eight of their past nine matches with the only win in that period a one-point thriller against Fremantle.

The Bombers are a high-possession side and top the competition for average disposals in their past 10 matches. Zach Merrett, Jye Caldwell and Nic Martin are all going at 25+ in that time period. That dominance has not translated to goals, ranking 11th.

2025 Betting Trends

Essendon Bombers Team News

The Bombers are expected to regain Jordan Ridley from concussion and his return will help a backline that is under the pump. Archie Perkins and Elijah Tsatas will miss from the Port game. Alwyn Davey Jnr, Darcy Parish and Will Setterfield face fitness tests and may be available. Lewis Hayes is a young prospect that played well in the VFL last weekend and is another defensive option.

Essendon Bombers Team List

B: A.McGrath, B.McKay, J.Ridley

HB: M.Redman, Z.Reid, J.Prior

C: X.Duursma, J.Caldwell, A.Roberts

HF: J.Gresham, N.Caddy, N.Martin

F: H.Jones, S.Draper, I.Kako

FOLL: N.Bryan, Z.Merrett - C, S.Durham

I/C: B.Hobbs, D.Shiel, J.Menzie, S.El-Hawli, T.Edwards

EMG: W.Setterfield, L.Hayes, A.Day-Wicks

In: J.Ridley, S.El-Hawli

Out: A.Perkins (Injured), E.Tsatas (Injured)

Port Adelaide Power Form Analysis & Betting Trends

Recent Form

Port Adelaide can be a bit of a jekkyl and hyde type side as evidenced by their contrasting results so far this season. This was a trend late last season with wins and losses against Sydney, Geelong and Hawthorn.

They sit mid-range for goals and disposals across their last 10 matches with only Connor Rozee and the injured Zak Butters in the top 50 for disposals, while Mitch Georgiades and Willie Rioli have booted 18 apiece in their past 10.

Considering 2024 and early 2025 results, the Power have been involved in 12 matches that have been decided by 39.5+ and 16 that have been under. 15 have gone under the total points and 13 have gone over.

2025 Betting Trends

Port Adelaide Power Team News

The Power will lose Jack Lukosius with the former Sun sustaining a knee injury early in the win over Richmond. Esava Ratugolea, Ollie Lord, Rory Atkins and Jed McEntee are among some options that could come in, depending on if Port want to go short or tall in attack

Port Adelaide Power Team List

B: J.Sinn, A.Aliir, M.Bergman

HB: L.Evans, E.Ratugolea, K.Farrell

C: T.Boak, C.Rozee - C, J.Burgoyne

HF: J.Mead, M.Georgiades, W.Rioli

F: D.Byrne-Jones, S.Powell-Pepper, J.Richards

FOLL: J.Sweet, J.Horne-Francis, W.Drew

I/C: J.Berry, O.Wines, I.Soldo, T.Cochrane, C.Moraes

EMG: J.Finlayson, J.Lai, D.Williams

In: E.Ratugolea, I.Soldo, T.Cochrane

Out: La.Jones (Injured), R.Burton (Injured), J.Lukosius (Injured)