Essendon looking to sneak into the playoff picture

Sam Hayes.jfif
By:
Sam Hayes
18/08/2023
AFL News, Predictions & Tips
AFL News
Can Essendon force their way into finals contention?

In the penultimate weekend of the 2024 AFL regular season, Essendon still have work to do if they are to make the finals

News Insights

  • Inconsistency all season has left Essendon in 9th place in the AFL table.
  • With two games to play they find themselves outside of the final’s places.
  • However, fellow playoff rivals GWS Giants await next, in what should be a memorable encounter.
  • Table-topping Collingwood await in final game of the regular season for Essendon.

The 2023 season that held such promise for so long for the Essendon Bombers is very much in danger of petering out.

Bouncing back from the abysmal showing in 2022 was the principal aim for Essendon and to their credit, they have done just that.

However, it may be seen as what might have been if they don’t reach the end-of-season finals, having spent most of the 2023 AFL campaign in the top 8. 

Ebb and flow for Essendon

A tumultuous start to the 2023 AFL season off the pitch for Essendon, didn’t make it onto the pitch with the Bombers hitting form early.

Those good showings led to many new betting sites backing the Bombers to make the finals this season.

However, results have dried up a little in recent weeks and they are now in a scrap to make the top 8.

Essendon are currently $4.5 to make end of season finals with BoomBet.

GWS Giants in season definer

The 2023 AFL season truly has been one to remember and fittingly, it looks set to go down to the wire for a place in the top 8. 

Plenty of big and small AFL betting apps have been fully leaning into the battle for the finals and Essendon’s trip to GWS has created plenty of traction.

The game at the Giants Stadium will be season defining for both sides, with GWS currently sitting level on points with Essendon.

Defeat for either side here would effectively end their top 8 hopes and Essendon are $2.9 with Bet365 to win the match.

Collingwood on the final day

Whilst the magnitude of the task at GWS Giants is hard to understate, it actually becomes more taxing when they play league leaders Collingwood on the final day of the 2023 AFL season.

The Magpies have blitzed all before them this term, sitting pretty at the top of the tree and they will want to be firing ahead of the finals.

Essendon do enjoy playing at home and they will need a result more than Collingwood potentially do, adding another dimension to the fixture.

There will be plenty to play for on the final day, with Essendon $3.85 to overcome Collingwood with PlayUp.