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GWS Giants vs Essendon Bombers AFL Round 9 Tips - Giant confidence builder

Jeremy Darke

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Last updated: Thu 07 May 2026 11:36

Jeremy Darke 07 May 2026

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The game will be played at ENGIE Stadium on Saturday, 9th May, with the bounce at 4:15 PM (AEST)
GWS likely to dominate and cover the 45.5-point line.
Essendon’s defence under pressure after conceding big scores.
Best bets: Giants win, total under 193.5, Hogan and Whitfield to star.

GWS Giants vs Essendon Bombers AFL Round 9 Tips

GWS Giants vs Essendon Bombers, Round 9 2026 - Expert Prediction

This shapes as the perfect reset spot for GWS after a frustrating loss to Gold Coast. The Giants have been inconsistent this season, but they are still generating elite midfield numbers and now face an Essendon side coming off consecutive heavy defeats where defensive pressure and transition defence completely collapsed.

GWS Giants vs Essendon Bombers, Round 9 2026 - Expert Prediction
Head to Head
GWS Giants Form Analysis
Essendon Bombers Form Analysis
GWS Giants vs Essendon Bombers Team List & News

The Giants should control territory from the outset. They average 56.4 Inside 50s per game compared to Essendon’s 45.9, while also holding sizeable advantages in contested possessions, disposals and intercepts. Against Brisbane last week the Bombers simply could not slow opposition ball movement once teams got overlap run, conceding 143 points in a performance that exposed major structural issues behind the ball.

Expect GWS to return to a more aggressive attacking style here after the wet-weather grind against Gold Coast. Finn Callaghan, Tom Green, Clayton Oliver and Lachie Whitfield should dominate possession around stoppage and through transition, giving Jesse Hogan and Aaron Cadman plenty of opportunities inside 50.

The Total leans under despite the Giants likely scoring heavily. Essendon’s offence remains unreliable against stronger midfields and the Bombers could struggle to generate repeat entries if GWS own field position the way the numbers suggest. The Giants have also held three opponents under 80 points already this season.

Take GWS to cover the line, the game total under 193.5 points, with Jesse Hogan being ruled out late take Aaron Cadman ladders and Lachie Whitfield 30+ disposals as the strongest betting angles.

GWS have beaten Essendon by 48 and 126 points in two of the last three meetings.
5 of the last 6 matches between GWS and Essendon have gone under the game total.
Jesse Hogan kicked 11 goals against Essendon in his last two games.
Lachie Whitfield is averaging 32.2 disposals in his last 5 matches.

Head to Head

The recent history between these sides is ugly reading for Essendon. GWS smashed the Bombers by 48 points last season and by 126 points in 2023, with their fast ball movement and midfield dominance proving too much to handle.

Essendon did win the Round 9 clash last season by 20 points, but overall the Giants have controlled this matchup far more consistently in recent years.

GWS Giants Form Analysis

The Giants have alternated wins and losses across the last five rounds but still profile as a dangerous side when their midfield gets on top. Even in the loss to Gold Coast, Finn Callaghan, Clayton Oliver and Lachie Whitfield found plenty of the ball while Aaron Cadman continued his strong form inside 50.

Their biggest issue has been efficiency. GWS generate scoring opportunities but have struggled to capitalise consistently, particularly in losses where inaccurate kicking has hurt badly. Against Essendon’s defence though, the matchup looks much softer than recent opponents like Sydney and Gold Coast.

If the Giants control stoppage and territory early, this could quickly become one-sided.

Essendon Bombers Form Analysis

Essendon are spiralling defensively. They have conceded 137 and 143 points in two of their last three losses and were completely overrun by Brisbane at Marvel Stadium despite playing on their home deck.

The Bombers continue to rely heavily on Zach Merrett and Sam Durham to generate midfield resistance, but injuries and structural instability behind the ball are becoming major concerns. Their defensive pressure dropped away badly against Brisbane, allowing the Lions uncontested marks and repeat forward entries almost at will.

Andrew McGrath continues to find plenty of the football and Peter Wright remains a dangerous target inside 50, but unless Essendon can drastically improve their defensive shape, they risk another heavy defeat here.

GWS Giants vs Essendon Bombers Team List & News

GWS Giants Team News: Jesse Hogan headlines four injury outs, joined by Xavier O’Halloran, Leek Aleer and Ryan Angwin. Toby McMullin, Jake Riccardi, Oliver Hannaford and Max Gruzewski come into the side.

Essendon Bombers Team News: Brad Scott swings the axe with Ben McKay among six outs. Nik Cox returns after a 630-day AFL absence, while Nick Bryan plays his first senior game since Round 5 last year.

GWS Giants	POS	Essendon
J. Laverde, J. Buckley, C. Idun	B	J. Prior, Z. Reid, A. McGrath
H. Himmelberg, J. Fonti, L. Whitfield	HB	A. Roberts, M. Redman, J. Farrow
T. McMullin, C. Oliver, H. Thomas	C	X. Duursma, D. Parish, A. Day-Wicks
T. Bedford, B. Daniels, P. Gothard	HF	D. Sharp, N. Caddy, S. Robey
A. Cadman, J. Stringer, J. Riccardi	F	A. May, K. Langford, A. Perkins
K. Briggs, T. Greene, F. Callaghan	FOLL	P. Wright, Z. Merrett, S. Durham
J. Leake, L. Ash, S. Coniglio, O. Hannaford, M. Gruzewski	I/C	N. Cox, N. Bryan, Z. Johnson, J. Nguyen, E. Tsatas

GWS Giants vs Essendon Bombers AFL 2026 Round 9 FAQ’s

How to watch GWS Giants vs Essendon Bombers AFL 2026 Round 9?

You can watch the GWS Giants vs Essendon Bombers AFL 2026 Round 9 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 GWS Giants vs Essendon Bombers AFL 2026 Round 9?

To buy tickets to the GWS Giants vs Essendon Bombers AFL 2026 Round 9 game check the AFL website or the official GWS Giants site.

Verdict

Greater Western Sydney Giants v Essendon Bombers

GWS will cover the 45.5 point line in a match that stays under the 193.5 total. Jesse Hogan will kick 3+ and Lachie Whitfield will have 30+ disposals.

GWS -45.5

Handicap/Line

$1.91 - 2 Units

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