Essendon vs Adelaide Preview & Prediction | 2025 AFL | Regular Season | Round 2

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The Melbourne Cricket Ground will play host to a compelling Round 2 clash between Essendon and Adelaide on Saturday, 22 March 2025.

Kick-off date/time: Saturday 22nd March, 2025: UK – 2:20am / Friday 21st March US ET – 10:20pm / US PT – 7:20pm

How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / US – Some matches are televised on Fox Sports channels

How to watch online: UK – discovery+ & Watch AFL / US – Watch AFL

The Prediction

Essendon, coming off a 26-point loss to Hawthorn in Round 1, will be eager to bounce back on their home turf. The Bombers showed flashes of promise in their opener but struggled to contain Hawthorn's forward line. Brad Scott's side fielded the youngest starting 22 of any club in Round 1, signalling a quiet rebuild in progress.

Adelaide, on the other hand, stormed into the 2025 season with a resounding ten-goal victory over St Kilda. Matthew Nicks' team looked strong, with their tall forward trio of Thilthorpe, Fogarty, and Walker proving particularly lethal. The Crows' midfield has been bolstered by the inclusions of Neal-Bullen and Peatling, allowing dangerous players like Rankine and Dawson to spend more time in attack.

Recent history between these two sides has produced nail-biting finishes, with three of their last four meetings decided by less than a goal. However, Adelaide's impressive form and Essendon's defensive vulnerabilities suggest this encounter may buck that trend.

For Essendon to spring an upset, they'll need to sharpen their forward efficiency and find a way to nullify Adelaide's multifaceted attack. The Bombers' young guns will need to step up and match the intensity of their more seasoned opponents.

While Essendon's home ground advantage and desperation for their first win of 2025 will provide motivation, Adelaide's form and firepower appear too strong to overcome. Expect an Adelaide win.

Tip: Adelaide to win