GMHBA Stadium will play host to Friday's Round 16 AFL game between Geelong Cats and Essendon Bombers. The game kicks off at 7:50 pm with Geelong Cats heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Geelong Cats vs. Essendon Bombers game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Friday July 2, 2021 at 7:50 pm
Where: GMHBA Stadium
Bet: Bet On This Match HERE
Geelong Cats vs Essendon Bombers Odds
Geelong Cats vs Essendon Bombers Preview
A trip back to Geelong couldn’t have come at a better time for the Cats as they look to regroup following last week’s 44-point annihilation against Brisbane.
Questions have been asked all week about Geelong’s premiership credentials, particularly after an uncharacteristically quiet game from the likes of Patrick Dangerfield and Joel Selwood at the Gabba.
The Bombers, meanwhile, should be playing with a sense of urgency this week after suffering a controversial loss against the Dees last Saturday.
With the Tigers losing, the Bombers squandered an ideal opportunity to re-join the eight, but they shouldn’t be short on confidence after pushing the premiership favourites to the brink.
The fact this game is being played at GMHBA obviously makes the Cats tough to bet against, particularly when you consider the Bombers haven’t won, or let alone played in Geelong since the ‘90s.
That said, the baby Bombers have proven to be a tough out this season, which in turn has seen them cover the line four of their last five games.
Brisbane proved last week that the Cats don’t respond well to intense pressure, so look for the Bombers to employ a similar strategy to try and disrupt Geelong through the midfield.
With some rain also forecast for Friday, the Bombers look a strong play to cover what is a fairly generous line.
Content provided by Ladbrokes
Head To Head Bet
We're tipping Geelong Cats to win at $1.23 odds.
First Goal Scorer
First Goal Scorer: Tom Hawkins at $9.00.
Geelong Cats vs Essendon Bombers Teams
CATS
B: Atkins, Kolodjashnij, Henry
HB: Tuohy, Stewart, Bews
C: Smith, Narkle, Menegola
HF: Dangerfield, Cameron, Miers
F: Close, Hawkins, Rohan
FOLL: Blicavs, Parfitt, Selwood
I/C: Stanley, Henderson, C.Guthrie, Dahlhaus
EMG: Z.Guthrie, Holmes, Ratugolea, Constable
IN: Miers, Stanley
OUT: O’Connor (injured), Higgins, Ratugolea (both managed)
BOMBERS
B: Laverde, Stewart, Ridley
HB: Hind, Redman, Heppell
C: Cox, Merrett, Ham
HF: Smith, Jones, Waterman
F: Stringer, Hooker, McDonald-Tipungwuti
FOLL: Draper, Parish, Langford
I/C: Cutler, Snelling, Perkins, Wright
EMG: Zaharakis, Guelfi, Zerk-Thatcher, Durham
IN: Cutler, Snelling
OUT: Zerk-Thatcher, Guelfi (both omitted), Zaharakis (sub)