2019 AFL – West Coast Eagles vs Essendon Bombers Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is West Coast Eagles vs Essendon Bombers taking place? Thursday 5th September – 11:10 (UK) / 18:10 (AWST)
Where is West Coast Eagles vs Essendon Bombers taking place? Optus Stadium, Perth
What television channel is West Coast Eagles vs Essendon Bombers on? BT Sport 1 in UK / Channel 7/Foxtel in Australia
Where can I stream West Coast Eagles vs Essendon Bombers? BT Sport subscribers can stream the match live via the BT Sport website or app in the UK / This match can be streamed live via the AFL Live app in Australia
Where can I get tickets for West Coast Eagles vs Essendon Bombers? https://www.afl.com.au/tickets
THE TEAM NEWS
WEST COAST EAGLES
- West Coast Eagles will need to bounce back from two defeats at the end of their regular season campaign with those losses preventing them from finishing inside the top 4 to make their path to the Grand Final more difficult.
- The Eagles were on a four-match winning run before those defeats but will need to get back to winning ways immediately or see their time in the play-offs cut short despite having home advantage.
- With eight home wins this season, the Eagles should fancy their chances although they will be sweating on the fitness of skipper Shannon Hurn who must overcome a fitness test on a hamstring injury.
ESSENDON BOMBERS
- Essendon Bombers ended the regular season with three defeats from their last four games but did just enough to hold onto a spot in the finals although they will have to show major improvements to avoid going one and out.
- After missing out on the finals last year, Essendon will be keen to make this appearance count but face a tricky task heading to Perth and the Bombers will have to overcome a tough away trip with them managing just five wins on the road all season.
- The Bombers have a huge injury list to contend with but still have some real talent at their disposal with all eyes on the availability of Michael Hurley who looks set to overcome a shoulder injury but David Zaharakis and Martin Gleeson are out.
THE PREDICTION
West Coast Eagles host Essendon Bombers to kick-start the finals in this Elimination Final. The Eagles would have claimed the minor premiership if they had turned their four-match winning streak into six at the end of the season but those two losses were extremely damaging as they missed out on the top 4 altogether. It makes their route to the Grand Final more difficult but if they can rekindle the form they showed in the second half of the season, they should progress to the semi-finals.
