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Western Bulldogs vs Essendon Bombers AFL Round 4 Tips - Cricket score at Marvel
In the upcoming AFL 2026 Round 4, the Western Bulldogs are poised to take on the Essendon Bombers, with experts forecasting a notably one-sided match. The Bulldogs are anticipated to continue their winning streak with a potential 100+ point victory. Key players to watch include Aaron Naughton, who has been in exceptional form, and Joel Freijah, eager to replicate his recent performance. The Bulldogs' strong structure and dynamic attack make them the favorites, highlighting their capability to overpower Essendon's struggling defense.
- The game will be played at Marvel Stadium on Sunday, 5th April, with the bounce at 7:20 PM (AEDT)
- Western Bulldogs expected to dominate Essendon Bombers with potential 100+ margin.
- Aaron Naughton predicted to score 4+ goals; Joel Freijah to maintain momentum.
- Bulldogs have strong defensive and offensive strategies this season.
Western Bulldogs vs Essendon Bombers AFL Round 4 Tips
Western Bulldogs vs Essendon Bombers, Round 4 2026 - Expert Prediction
If there is ever a game where there is a genuine stab at the ‘-100.5 Margin’ market, then this is it. Both games last season the Bulldogs won by 90+ points and they were wasteful in Round 10 kicking 18.19 (127).
- Western Bulldogs vs Essendon Bombers, Round 4 2026 - Expert Prediction
- Head to Head Stats
- Western Bulldogs Form Analysis
- Essendon Bombers Form Analysis
- Western Bulldogs vs Essendon Bombers Team List & News
- Western Bulldogs Team News
- Essendon Bombers Team News
- Western Bulldogs vs Essendon Bombers AFL 2026 Round 4 FAQ’s
There is no need to shy away from it, Essendon have been the poorest team in the comp and the Western Bulldogs are well in the mix with the favourites to win the comp after the first month. This is going to be a blood bath and the only thing that will hinder the 100+ is Luke Beveridge resting his stars and that still might not stop it.
The Dogs defence will still need to do a job on Zach Merrett if they want the triple- figure margin but they are more than capable. The ball is going to be entrenched in the Bulldogs forward fifty and making its way into the centre circle through the umpires hands more than through the ball movement of the Bombers.
100+ is cute but it will be in the mix, take the Bulldogs also to cover the 74.5 points as the favourite. Goals are going to come from everywhere, finding the value in mult-goals is the tricky bit here. Aaron Naughton has been in arguably his best goal scoring form, he kicked 6 against GWS and 3 against Adelaide so 4 seems like a reasonable amount.
On the fringe kickers, who usually put up good numbers in these types of games, I like Joel Freijah. The 20-year-old kicked three last week after ducks in the opening two matches. He will keen to keep the momentum going against the Bombers.
- The Bulldogs won both games against Essendon by 90+ points last season.
- The Bulldogs average 113 points per game this season after playing three top-5 teams from last season.
- Aaron Naughton has kicked 11 goals in 3 games this season.
- Joel Freijah kicked 3 goals last week against Adelaide.
Head to Head Stats
The Western Bulldogs beat Essendon by 90+ points in each of their two games last season in Round 10 & 20.
The Bulldogs have won 7 of the last 9 against Essendon, including a 104-point victory in 2019.
Western Bulldogs Form Analysis
The Western Bulldogs had a tough strength of schedule in their opening three matches, playing teams that all finished in the top 5 in the standings last season. They passed the test, beating Brisbane in a comeback victory, crushing GWS and getting through a tough grind against Adelaide 94-88 before heading into their bye.
There was pressure on the Bulldogs heading into this season, they have the coach and the squad but have not made an impact in Finals footy in some time. This looks like the year though. Marcus Bontempelli is arguably the best player in the comp and he is leading from the front with 27.3 disposals a game, including 7 inside 50s and 5.7 clearances per game along with 7 goals so far this season.
To start the year the Bulldogs defence has looked more structured and they are not giving up as much cheap ball to their opponents. The test of time will be the true test to see if the Bulldogs can lean on their defence when their electric attack stutters.
Essendon Bombers Form Analysis
It isn’t looking good for Essendon, despite putting up a challenge against North Melbourne last week for the majority of the match in their 81-69 loss.
Heavy defeats against Hawthorn and Port Adelaide to open the season and the following loss to Norths has the Bombers firming in as a favourite for the spoon. Ball movement out of their 50 has been tough with the injuries they are carrying in their backline, so forward pressure is more of a fantasy than a reality for Essendon.
The Bombers rank third-last in disposals (334.3/G), get 45 inside 50s per game (2nd-least in AFL) and fourth-worst at converting their entries into scoring shots. If you can’t get the ball out of defensive 50 and when you do you cannot create scoring opportunities you will find yourself on the bottom of the ladder.
Western Bulldogs vs Essendon Bombers Team List & News
Western Bulldogs Team News
Tom Liberatore will miss the next couple of weeks with a hamstring injury. Josh Dolan comes onto the interchange.
Essendon Bombers Team News
Nate Caddy will miss the clash due to concussion, while Nik Cox comes in onto the interchange bench.
| Western Bulldogs | POS | Essendon |
|---|---|---|
| L. Jaques, B. Khamis, R. Lobb | B | J. Prior, B. McKay, A. McGrath |
| C. Budarick, J. O’Donnell, B. Dale | HB | A. Roberts, Z. Reid, J. Farrow |
| O. Baker, M. Bontempelli, B. Williams | C | X. Duursma, J. Caldwell, A. Day-Wicks |
| R. West, S. Darcy, J. Freijah | HF | J. Gresham, A. May, A. Perkins |
| J. Croft, A. Naughton, M. Kennedy | F | I. Kako, P. Wright, K. Langford |
| T. English, R. Sanders, E. Richards | FOLL | L. Blakiston, S. Durham, Z. Merrett |
| L. McNeil, L. Emmett, J. Dolan, W. Lewis, L. Bramble, A. Jones, M. Sellwood, S. Davidson | I/C | D. Parish, N. Cox, K. Gerreyn, M. Guelfi, Z. Johnson, S. El-Hawli, J. Nguyen, T. Edwards |
Western Bulldogs vs Essendon Bombers AFL 2026 Round 4 FAQ’s
How to watch Western Bulldogs vs Essendon Bombers AFL 2026 Round 4?
You can watch the Western Bulldogs vs Essendon Bombers AFL 2026 Round 4 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 Western Bulldogs vs Essendon Bombers AFL 2026 Round 4?
To buy tickets to the Western Bulldogs vs Essendon Bombers AFL 2026 Round 4 game check the AFL website or the official Western Bulldogs site.
Verdict
Western Bulldogs win by 100 and Aaron Naughton will kick 4 and Joel Freijah 2+.
Western Bulldogs -74.5
Handicap/Line
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