Essendon Bombers v Gold Coast Suns | AFL Round Two betting preview – Code Sports: Top Destination for Online Sports Betting

CODE Bet AFL Show – Round 2 of the 2023 AFL Season: best bets, player props and picks for every AFL game! This week’s CODE Bet AFL show digs into every single game for the best player props, match bets and match picks, starting with Geelong taking on Carlton and ending with the Giants heading west to take on the Eagles. With all nine AFL games broken down and selected, there’s everything you need for your AFL betting for the weekend ahead. CODE Bet’s Jaymz Clements, Alex Donnelly and Liam ‘Stats Guy’ McAllion dive into betting tips for all the teams and players set to dominate this week’s AFL action. CODE Bet and the CODE Bet AFL Show have you covered this AFL season, previewing the best bets and headline games to come.

ESSENDON (1-0) v GOLD COAST (0-1) BETTING FIXTURES

ESSENDON BOMBERS: $1.57 (via Ladbrokes, Betrand TopSport)

GOLD COAST SUNS: $2.55 (via TopSport)

Marvel, Sunday, 3:20 p.m

Full CODE Bet Match Center here

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING AT?

The Bombers have beaten the Suns the last nine times as favourites. Essendon has never lost to Gold Coast at Marvel Stadium. Gold Coast is 8-22 all-time at Marvel.

Jordan Ridley of the Bombers is congratulated by teammates after kicking a goal during round one. Photo: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

THE MATCH

Essendon finished round one on top of the AFL ladder: the first time the team had done so at any stage of a season since 2013.

After last week’s 59-point drubbing of Hawthorn, Bombers fans will be full of optimism heading into a home clash against a Suns side that was hammered by Sydney last week and has never lost to Essendon in Victoria.

The Bombers also dismantled the Suns in the last meeting between the two, running out 48-point winners (103-55) at Marvel in Round 18, continuing Gold Coast’s brutal run at Melbourne’s smaller stadium, where they all went 8-22 is. time.

Gold Coast also haven’t beaten Essendon since 2016, so the odds are stacked against the Suns.

BOMBERS FLY UP

The Bombers ran over the Hawks thanks to a dominating midfield performance led by Darcy Parish’s 37 touches with Zach Merrett (29), Andrew McGrath (25), Dylan Shiel (23) and harrier Will Setterfield (25) all very of dispositions.

Essendon also racked up 66 inside-50s as it dismantled Hawthorn, spreading the goals around the forward line with Archie Perkins starting three main players as Mason Redman, Sam Draper and Sam Weideman all got into the action with a pair each has. Weideman also loves Marvel: he’s gone for 2+ the last three times he’s played there.

Look for Brad Scott’s men to try a similar approach at Marvel to get a lot of the pill and dominate a fast-paced game. Leading the way will be Zach Merrett: in his last three against the Suns, he’s gone over 30+ possessions.

SUN HAS WITHERED

The Suns came into 2023 with a sense of optimism and were given a harsh lesson in reality by Sydney in a 49-point loss. Jarrod Witts was a bright spot with 25 touches and the center of the engine room of Touk Miller (29) and Matt Rowell (28) also grabbed them, but defensively the Suns could not compete with the Swans.

However, Gold Coast will fancy its chances here against the Bombers, against last year’s 13th-ranked offense, while the Suns were also 12-10 against the line last season.

Touk Miller of the Suns in action during 2023 AFL Round 01. Photo: Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Ben King has been MIA in his return from an ACL, he might be worth a look after his first proper run and now against an Essendon defense that isn’t going to set the world on fire this season , while Touk Miller has a nose for the ball that is nearly unmatched in the comp.

If they have any chance of breaking this Marvel hoodoo, the Suns need their big guns to step up, big time.

FIRST GOAL KICKER

Sam Weideman looked exceptional against the Hawks last week and he and Archie Perkins were an irresistible duo. Look for Weideman to come out of the blocks on the end of a quick goal.

THE CHOICE

Essendon may not be a finals team at the end of the season, but they looked far more impressive than the Suns last week – albeit against MUCH different opposition. But the Suns record at Marvel is hard to ignore, even if the team has plenty of talent.

AIR BOMBERS SAME GAME MULTI

Touk Miller – 30+ disposals

Miller has gone for 30+ in 10 of the last 13 games the Suns have played in Victoria.

Dylan Shiel 25+ disposals

Shiel has ripped off 28+ in five straight home games against the Suns.

Sam Weideman – 2+ goals

Weideman has gone 2+ in three straight at Marvel.

The Suns haven’t beaten the Bombers since 2016: it continues here.

FOUR LEGS SAME GAME MULTI @ $7 (via Betr)

[all odds as of March 24]

– CHECK OUT CODE BET’S AFL BETTING HELP AND ODDS ANALYSIS HERE –