<p>One of the game's fiercest rivalries kicks off Round 8 as Essendon and North Melbourne face off under the roof in a rare prime-time fixture for the Roos.</p> <p>It's a rivalry that dates back to the early days of the VFL when Essendon opposed North&nbsp;</p> <p>Fueled by a combination of historical grievances, on-field clashes, and memorable incidents, It’s a rivalry that dates back to the early days of the VFL when Essendon opposed North’s entry into the competition.</p> <p>It has been further intensified by on-field battles and controversies. Not least the famous 10-plus goal comeback from the Bombers back in 2001 and the 2014 Elimination Final in 2014.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>The Bombers return to Marvel Stadium for the first time since Round 3 and are eyeing an easy kill against the lowly Roos to get ahead of the ledger after going down to Collingwood on ANZAC Day.</p> <p>After being totally outclassed by the Pies in the first quarter on ANZAC Day, the Bombers fought back to make a contest of the game in the middle quarters before fading out late against the well-oiled machine that is Collingwood.</p> <p>But a win here could get right back on the doorstep of the top eight and continue pushing its season forward.</p> <p>The Roos were better than they had been in previous weeks against the Power and possibly could have been in a position to pinch it. Perhaps if they were more drilled and developed, they might have come away with the win.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>Alas, the wait for their second win of the season stretches on… and the patience of the Roos fans gets a little bit thinner.&nbsp;</p> <p>Clarko made a statement at selection last week when he dispensed with senior defenders Griffin Logue and Aidan Corr. North didn’t have a VFL match last week so it remains to be seen if they earn an immediate reprieve.&nbsp;</p> <p>In a blow for the Roos, they look likely to be without their best player so far this season, Paul Curtis after he was handed a three match ban by the MRO for a tackle that left a Power player unfortunately concussed. The Roos are fighting the charge at the tribunal though, hoping to have their star forward out there.</p> <p>At the Bombers, not as many selection headaches. They will however be monitoring the fitness of veteran Dylan Sheil after he finished the ANZAC Day clash on the bench and forward Harrison Jones was also subbed out with an ankle concern. But, both players are said to be available for selection.&nbsp;</p> <p>For the latest team news, analysis, odds, and betting tips, check out our Bombers vs Roos predictions and preview below.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Essendon vs North Melbourne Predicted Teams</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Essendon Predicted Team&nbsp;</h3> <p>B: Jordan Ridley, Ben McKay, Andrew McGrath</p> <p>HB: Mason Redman, Zach Reid, Jaxon Prior</p> <p>C: Xavier Duursma, Sam Durham, Archie Roberts</p> <p>HF: Archie Perkins, Kyle Langford, Jade Gresham</p> <p>F: Isaac Kako, Peter Wright, Nate Caddy</p> <p>Foll: Todd Goldstein, Zach Merrett, Nic Martin</p> <p>Int: Jye Menzie, Will Setterfield, Dylan Sheil, Ben Hobbs, Harrison Jones</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>North Melbourne Predicted Team</h3> <p>B: Jackson Archer, Kallan Dawson, Aidan Corr</p> <p>HB: Luke McDonald, Charlie Comben, Caleb Daniel</p> <p>C: Dylan Stephens, Luke Davies-Uniacke, Finn O’Sullivan</p> <p>HF: Harry Sheezel, Nick Larkey, Colby McKercher</p> <p>F: Cam Zurhaar, Jack Darling, Jacob Konstanty&nbsp;</p> <p>Foll: Tristan Xerri, Luke Parker, Jy Simpkin</p> <p>Int: Riley Hardeman, Tom Powell, Zane Duursma, George Wardlaw, Robert Hansen jr</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Essendon vs North Melbourne Prediction &amp; Betting Tips</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Head-to-Head Prediction</h3> <p>Essendon has won its last 11 matches against North Melbourne, with all those wins (with the exception of two COVID clashes when all teams were displaced) taking place at Marvel Stadium.&nbsp;</p> <p>Based on that alone, it suggests that Essendon should win this game. Despite their loss to the Pies on ANZAC Day, the form line indicates they should be too strong for the Roos.&nbsp;</p> <p>Despite Clarko’s backline selection statement, the Roos still conceded close to 100 points again.&nbsp;</p> <p>However, this appears to be a fair fight for the Roos, with the two clubs' attack-defence profiles evenly matched according to Wheelo Ratings, the Dons having just a slight edge.&nbsp;</p> <p>After their midfield was smashed to smithereens against the Blues, the Roos responded against the Power, winning the clearances and contested ball. It’s an area where they can certainly outplay the Bombers. Especially now that George Wardlaw is back and regaining form, which is a relief for Luke Davies-Uniacke knowing he has someone to ride shotgun with in the middle.&nbsp;</p> <p>Zach Merrett is waiting for his midfield mates Jy Caldwell and Darcy Parish to be fit again to join him. Although he would be buoyed by the support from Sam Durham and Will Setterfield in recent weeks.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Dons too would be encouraged by the development and performance of Zach Reid. The young defender, a long-term project, looks to have put his injury troubles behind him and is starting to flourish at AFL. He had his best game at this level on ANZAC Day and will be tested again against some big lads in Larkey and Darling.</p> <p>We’re leaning toward the Dons here simply because of the Roos’ leaky defence. If Essendon gets the supply right out of the middle, it could be a big day for their tall timber—Kyle Langford, Peter Wright, and Nate Caddy. Throw in Issac Kako for good measure too, who has threatened to explode but hasn’t quite yet.&nbsp;</p> <p>This could be his night and a night for the Dons to comfortably get the job done.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/essendon-v-north-melbourne-9148527">Essendon</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>First Goal Prediction</h3> <p>North Melbourne needs to find a new avenue to goal if Paul Curtis’ dangerous tackle charge gets upheld at the tribunal. It also means that we need to find another pick for the first goal scorer after he’d been so reliable for us for a few weeks there.</p> <p>So instead, we’re looking at the Bombers attacking end and picking one of the guys we just mentioned before in Nate Caddy. He had moments where he threatened to rip his first ANZAC Day game to shreds and star for the Bombers, collecting 19 disposals and kicking 2.3. We’re backing him to carry that form into Thursday night and hit the board early.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/essendon-v-north-melbourne-9148527">Nate Caddy</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Most Disposals Prediction</h3> <p>In a week where he was accused of ‘stats padding’ and not being ‘damaging with his disposals’, North young gun Harry Sheezel did exactly what he does best and that was rack up the footy for fun against the Power.</p> <p>He’s in a good run of hitting 30 possessions having reached the mark three times in the last four weeks. He averages 28.3 Disposals in the last 3 games against Essendon. We’re on him to go big again.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/essendon-v-north-melbourne-9148527">Harry Sheezel (30+ disposals)</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Essendon vs North Melbourne Match Details</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Date: </strong>Thursday, May 1st, 2025.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>First Bounce: </strong>7:30 pm AEST.</p> <p><strong>Location: </strong>Marvel Stadium, Melbourne.</p> <p><strong>How to watch: </strong>Channel 7, Fox Footy/Kayo Sports.</p>