Fremantle v Essendon: AFL Thursday preview

Fremantle are on a hot run of form and can consolidate their place in the top eight on Thursday night when they entertain Essendon.

The Dockers have blown hot and cold at times this season, but have hit some form with four wins on the spin.

They are now the hot fancies to make it five in a row which would give their chances of making finals a huge boost.

Essendon on the other hand are on the slide after winning just one of the last five games.

The run has left them in 12th place on the ladder, and finals look to be a huge long-shot on current form.

They were mauled by Geelong at the weekend and a trip to the west, were Fremantle are usually so strong, is a tough test.

It is the opening game of Round 15, and both sides will be hoping to put on a show in the prime-time slot.

Fremantle v Essendon betting preview

Dockers on the march

Fremantle made hard work of it when beating North Melbourne by six points on Saturday, but in the past it is a game they would have lost.

It is now four wins in a row for the Dockers, who have won on the road at Gold Coast and GWS during that spell.

They are also strong on their home deck at Optus Stadium and will be confident of getting the job done against the Bombers.

The last time they met at Optus in Round 15 2023, Fremantle romped to a 32-point victory.

If it is to be a similar outcome once again, Freo can be backed at 5.00 to win the game by 25-36 points.

Caleb Serong was a revelation against the Kangaroos, collecting 36 disposals and also chipping in with a goal.

The gun midfielder can be backed at 1.87 to collect 30+ once again, the same as Andy Brayshaw.

Fresh from booting three goals, Patrick Voss will also look to shine against his former club and is 1.20 to score at any time.

Bombers need to bounce back

Essendon have been on a poor run of form, but hit a new low at the weekend when they were thrashed on home soil against Geelong.

The Cats won by 95 points to leave the Bombers licking their wounds, and they will need to come out fighting.

A strong start will be needed, and Essendon can be backed at 3.40 to win the first quarter by 1-18 points.

The last time they met, Essendon won by one point, but the game was in Melbourne, and heading Perth is a different matter.

Even so, the Bombers can be backed at 8.50 to win a tight game by 1-12 points.

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Fremantle v Essendon odds

Fremantle - 1.18
Essendon - 5.00

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.