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Gold Coast Suns vs Essendon Bombers AFL Round 24 Tips - The Suns clinch but the Bombers cover

Jeremy Darke

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Last updated: Mon 25 Aug 2025 09:49

Jeremy Darke 25 Aug 2025

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Gold Coast Suns vs Essendon Bombers expert predictions for Wednesday’s Round 24 AFL game
The game will be played at People First Stadium, with the bounce at 7:20 PM (AEST)
Expect strong performances from Ben Long (3+ goals) and Ethan Read (2+ goals).
Gold Coast Suns aiming for first AFL Finals berth against Essendon Bombers.

Gold Coast Suns vs Essendon Bombers AFL Round 24 Tips

Gold Coast Suns vs Essendon Bombers , Round 24 2025 - Expert Prediction

The stage is set for the Suns to clinch their first ever AFL Finals berth on home soil in their make-up match with the Bombers. However, the margin of 50.5 is a little steep considering the occasion with the Gold Coast showing plenty of nerves over the last few weeks, so I am jumping on Essendon to cover.

Look, Gold Coast win this match but I am afraid of two things surrounding the 50.5-point line. Firstly, how poor the Suns started against Port Adelaide with a chance to clinch a top four spot on Friday and also, if they overcome their butterflies and get out to a lead, will they clock off and rest some of their influential players, with the Bombers leaving everything out on the field in their final match.

The Suns have won three in a row against the Bombers with the latest in Round 17 with Ben King (4 goals) and Ethan Read (3 goals) doing most of the damage as they Gold Coast put up 115 points.

I like this kid Read and he has looked to be the real deal, showing that he is a key target next to King. Take the 20 year-old for a couple of goals in this match as he builds his confidence heading into the finals.

Ben Long didn’t have a lot of time on the ball in the match against Essendon earlier in the year but he has been the man in most consistent form for the Suns in the last month, so I am taking him to bag 3 goals, it what can potentially be a big score for the Gold Coast.

The Gold coast have won their last 3 matches against Essendon.
Essendon have scored an average of 60.66 points in the last 12 matches.
Ben Long has averaged 2.8 goals per game in his last 5 matches
Ethan Read has kicked 2 goals in each of his last 2 games at People First Stadium.

Head to Head

The Suns have won their last 3 matches against Essendon including a 115-74 victory earlier this season.

6 of 8 meetings since 2019 have gone over the game total.

Gold Coast Suns Form Analysis

The Suns missed an opportunity to lock themselves in their first AFL Finals in a nervous performance against an undermanned Port Adelaide side who gave their all in Travis Boak and Ken Hinkley’s farewell match.

Poor ball movement inside 50 and a stack of missed opportunities saw the Suns go down 10.11 (71) to 9.13 (67). If the sub .500 goal accuracy wasn’t enough the Power mids controlled the game in large patches with Noah Andersson, Matt Rowell and Touk Miller going missing at times as a collective unit.

The Suns will need to find their flow on Wednesday and calm their nerves and return to playing their slick style of footy if they want to write history.

Gold Coast Suns Team News

The Suns are likely to see the return of Dan Rioli and Bailey Humphrey back for the clash against the Bombers.

Gold Coast Suns Team List

Team list yet to be released.

Essendon Bombers Form Analysis

The Bombers battled again but were unable to celebrate Zack Merrett’s 250th match in style, going down to the Blues 90-56 on Thursday night.

Essendon’s injury list is far too long for them to compete and despite the effort they simply couldn’t move the ball forward and create any type of real pressure on Carlton’s mids and backline.

The Bombers have now averaged just 60.66 points in their last 12 matches and will struggle to keep the pace on Wednesday.

Essendon Bombers Team News

Zach Merrett returned successfully to the Bombers lineup for his 250th match, putting up 24 disposals.

No new injuries arose in Essendon’s match with Carlton last Thursday.

Essendon Bombers Team List

Team list yet to be released.

Verdict

Gold Coast Suns v Essendon Bombers

The Suns will play Finals footy in 2025 but a 50+ point win will not happen and the Bombers will cover. Expect 3+ goals from Ben Long and 2+ from Ethan Read which will be enough for a Gold Coast victory.

Essendon +50.5

Handicap/Line

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