Essendon v North Melbourne betting tips and prediction
Welcome to our Essendon v North Melbourne betting tips and winner prediction for their AFL round 3 clash at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night.
The Roos are priced at 1.48 with online betting sites, with the Bombers outsiders at 2.65, although they will be desperate to win and send the blowtorch elsewhere for a week.
The Bombers have dropped their opening two matches of the season in disastrous fashion — losing to Hawthorn and Port Adelaide by a combined 125 points.
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They will also lose reliable defender Mason Redman after he injured his knee on the weekend, and Jordan Ridley needs a VFL run, meaning a young player like Jacob Farrow or Archer Day-Wicks could be called up.
North Melbourne began their season full of gusto with a win over Port Adelaide, but came crashing back to earth in round 2, when they lost to West Coast on the road.
The Roos are likely to make at least several changes, with defender Griffin Logue (hamstring) set for a stint on the sidelines, while George Wardlaw, Charlie Spargo, Riley Hardeman and Aidan Corr are all fit and in the selection frame.
Essendon v North Melbourne betting tips
Our AFL betting expert has assessed the markets and found some value Essendon v North Melbourne betting tips:
Jye Caldwell 25+ possessions
One Bomber who fought the game out against the Power was Caldwell, who recorded 27 possessions and a goal, to continue his consistent start to 2027. Caldwell is not classy with his ball use but has a serious crack and is offering nice value at 1.88 to gather 25+ possessions. Zach Merrett (1.40) is too short this week for 25+ and has not been as prolific as usual this year.
Harry Sheezel 30+ possessions
The Roos young star needs to hurt teams more with his disposals, but there is not doubt he is a ball magnet, who can run all day. We don’t think the Bombers have anyone who can stop him, and we’ll happily take him for 30+ possessions at 1.40 with Ladbrokes Australia.
Bombers v Roos goal-kicker tips
Nick Larkey has started 2026 in fine fashion and will be a popular pick for 3+ goals. The Roos do need more avenues to goal, so look for Paul Curtis, Cameron Zurhaar and Cooper Trembath to contribute. Trembath could be due a breakout game against a defence that will be preoccupied with Larkey. The Bombers ace up forward is young gun Nate Caddy, who will need a big afternoon if they are to cause an upset. If the Roos need more contributors up forward the Bombers definitely do, but our problem is we can’t find them in the line-up.
Essendon v Kangaroos prediction
How could anyone tip the Bombers at the moment? While the blowtorch has been on them all week, which can result in a spike, Roos coach Alastair Clarkson will still be smarting after their capitulation in the west, and won’t let his team be caught napping. While it’s very possible, if everything went right, the Bombers could win, we just can’t see it happening with the Roos greater spread of talented midfielders and forwards. Our final Essendon v North Melbourne prediction? Roos by 16.
