No team was more disappointing than the Dons in Round 1 but the numbers say they shouldn’t be written off yet.
Best Bet
Essendon +16.5 ($1.90)
Essendon were awful in Round 1. They earned the dreaded ‘bruise free’ tag and rightfully so.
However, Dons supporters can take solace from the fact they bounced back well from big defeats in 2021. Four times they lost by six goals or more, and each time they won, and covered, the next week.
Brisbane is a significant challenge though they were lucky to run over an injury hit Port Adelaide team in Round 1.
The Lions have a solid record at Marvel Stadium but this is just the sixth time they will start favourites at the ground in the last decade. Essendon have a good record as outsiders at the Dome, covering at 64% in the last five years.
Don’t write off the Dons just yet. They have shown the ability to bounce back and look an excellent play with the start.
Same Game Multi
Essendon +16.5/ Charlie Cameron 2+ Goals / Jarrod Lyons 25+ Disposals / Daniel Rich 20+ Disposals ($6.25)
The Bombers struggled to cover Tyson Stengle last week so Cameron, the Lions small forward could be in for a big game. Lyons is a ball winning machine and while Rich was a little down in round 1, he had 31 against the Bombers last year.
Value Bet
Jarrod Lyons 35+ Disposals ($7.50)
Lyons is no stranger to big disposal numbers and cracked the 35 mark against the Bombers last year. It would be no surprise if he did so again.
