Essendon Bombers vs Melbourne Demons Round 5 Tips and Prediction

Essendon showed some improvement last week, but this is a much tougher test against a Melbourne side that is building real momentum.

The Demons’ new style is starting to click, and this looks like a difficult matchup for a Bombers side still searching for consistency.

Melbourne have been one of the more interesting teams early in the season. Their faster ball movement and attacking style has created plenty of scoring opportunities, and when it clicks, they look hard to stop.

That was evident in their win over Gold Coast where they controlled the game and dictated tempo from start to finish.

Essendon are improving, but they’re still well short of the level required to compete consistently with top sides. They showed better structure and effort last week, but sustaining that over four quarters against a team like Melbourne is a different challenge.

If the Demons get on top early, they have the ability to control the game and build scoreboard pressure quickly.

Melbourne’s attacking style and ability to generate repeat scoring opportunities should see them take control. If they bring the same intensity and ball movement, they should be able to build a margin.

Essendon have struggled to put up big scores, and against a Melbourne side that can control possession and territory, their scoring opportunities may be limited.

Melbourne have shown patches of inconsistency this season, and if they allow Essendon to hang around early, the game could become more competitive than expected.

Essendon also showed last week they can stay in games longer than expected when their pressure is up.