Geelong Cats vs Essendon Bombers Prediction, Preview, Team News and More: AFL Round 16, 2024

The Essendon Bombers will be out to finally end a six-year jinx when they trade tackles with the Geelong Cats at Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday, June 29 in the AFL Round 16. Essendon have not beaten Geelong since 2018 but will fancy their chances of doing so at a time when the Cats have bruises all over.

Since winning seven games on the trot at the start of the season, Geelong have been a shadow of themselves. Chris Scott's side managed just one win since Round 8, a 30-point victory over a struggling Richmond Tigers. Last week, they lost 138-75 to Carlton and could find themselves out of the top eight if they succumb to another defeat this week.

The Cats will have to produce a stellar display without Patrick Dangerfield and Tom Hawkins, who will both miss out due to a suspension and foot injury respectively. Hawkins has averaged 23 gails in his last four matches against the Bombers and will be hugely missed.

As stated earloer, Essendon will approach this match knowing they have a six-year score to settle. Since 2004, the Bombers and the Cats have met 25 times, and Essendon have managed only four wins. On current form, they are the better side heading into this clash.

Brad Scott's side are third in the standings with a 9-1-4 record. Essendon were unstoppable in April and May, going on a seven-match unbeaten run. However, they fell off the patch in early June with consecutive losses to Gold Coast and Carlton Blues.

The Bombers needed to refuel, and, luckily, their bye came. After the break, they returned rejuvenated and went on to achieve a 30-point triumph over West Coast. It's left to be seen if they can produce another top performance versus Geelong to end their losing streak against the Cats.

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Geelong Cats vs Essendon Bombers Form Guide

Geelong Cats Form Guide (LLWLL): The Geelong Cats are eighth in the AFL standings.

Essendon Bombers Form Guide (WWLLW): The Essendon Bombers are third in the AFL standings.

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Geelong Cats vs Essendon Bombers Team News

Geelong Cats

Injured: Tanner Bruhn (Scaphoid), Oli Wiltshire (Pelvis), Cam Guthrie (Achilles), Tom Hawkins (Foot)

Suspended: none

Essendon Bombers

Injured: Darcy Parish (Calf), Saad El-Hawli (Ankle), Kaine Baldwin (Foot), Jaiden Hunter (Knee), Zach Reid (Pectoral)

Suspended: Sam Weideman

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Geelong Cats vs Essendon Bombers Predicted Lineups

Geelong Cats

FB: Jack Henry, Sam De Koning, Jake Kolodjashnij

HB: Lawson Humphries, Tom Stewart, Zach Guthrie

C: Zach Tuohy, Max Holmes, Oliver Dempsey

HF: Brad Close, Jeremy Cameron, Gryan Miers

FF: Tyson Stengle, Shannon Neale, Gary Rohan

FOL: Mark Blicavs, Patrick Dangerfield, Tom Atkins

I/C: Jack Bowes, Jhye Clark, Mitch Duncan, Mitch Knevitt, Mark O'Connor

EMG: Rhys Stanley, Brandan Parfitt, Connor O'Sullivan

Essendon Bombers

FB: Jordan Ridley, Ben McKay, Jayden Laverde

HB: Nic Martin, Mason Redman, Andrew McGrath

C: Xavier Duursma, Sam Durham, Archie Perkins

HF: Matt Guelfi, Harrison Jones, Nick Hind

FF: Jake Stringer, Peter Wright, Kyle Langford

FOL: Todd Goldstein, Jye Caldwell, Zach Merrett

I/C: Sam Draper, Jade Gresham, Nik Cox, Dyson Heppell, Jye Menzie

EMG: Ben Hobbs, Nate Caddy, Alwyn Davey Jnr

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Geelong Cats vs Essendon Bombers Prediction

Prediction: Essendon Bombers to win by eight points