Round 10 of the AFL season sees the second-last placed Essendon Bombers host the ladder leading Fremantle Dockers at the MCG.

Looking to equal the longest winning streak in club history; in-form Fremantle Club run the risk of complacency as they visit the basket-case Dons.

The Dockers secured their eighth consecutive victory by overturning a 19-point final-quarter deficit to defeat Hawthorn 88-73 at Optus Stadium last week.

Elsewhere, Essendon dropped to 1-8 in 2026 through a 103-89 result against GWS at ENGIE Stadium after failing to capitalise on a 26-point third-quarter lead.

The loss maintained a counterintuitive run of form for the Bombers, who are 1-3 with an average losing margin of 28.7 points when playing interstate this season, compared to 0-5 while losing on average by 49.8 points in Melbourne.

Fremantle won last season’s fixture against Essendon 104-63 at Optus Stadium; we’d expect a similar result in this one - but the Home of Football is a magical place and anything can happen in a game of footy.

For the latest team news, analysis, and expert insights, check out our Essendon Bombers vs Fremantle Dockers Round 10 prediction and preview below.

Essendon Bombers vs Fremantle Dockers Match Predictions and Betting Tips

Head-to-Head Prediction

Essendon restored some faith in their ability to compete after pushing GWS in western Sydney last week.

The game style still irks us, but competitiveness matters and if that’s how they feel they can compete, so be it. But it won’t be winning games that matter against the best!

For the Dockers, they sprung to life when it mattered and claimed victory over the Hawks; a win which likely means plenty when we discuss positions in the finals.

This is one they need to turn up for, handle, and win.

There’s no issue about being up and down at this point in the season. Josh Treacy seems due a big bag of goals, too.

Head-to-head prediction: Fremantle Dockers by 27 points.

First Goal Scorer Prediction

First goal is a toss-up between Jye Amiss and Josh Treacy who have kicked over 40 goals combined this season.

These two talls are the tip of the spear for a dominant Fremantle outfit and should relish the delivery coming their way against a Bombers defense that has struggled to stem the flow of goals.

We are going with Jye Amiss in this one, but it could just as easily be Treacy given his current form.

Betting tip: Jye Amiss. 

Most Disposals Prediction

Archie Roberts is currently averaging the second most disposals in the league from Half Back as the struggling Bombers shift the ball out of their defensive end.

He has notched up 42 disposals three times this season and is likely to be putting in another big shift as Freo keep the contest in Essendon's half.

Expect him to be the primary outlet for the Dons all afternoon.

Betting tip: Archie Roberts.

Odds are subject to change. *

Essendon Bombers vs Fremantle Dockers Predicted Teams

Essendon Bombers Predicted Team List

FB: Jaxon Prior, Ben McKay, Andrew McGrath

HB: Archie Roberts, Zach Reid, Mason Redman

C: Xavier Duursma, Darcy Parish, Archer Day-Wicks

HF: Jye Caldwell, Nate Caddy, Sullivan Robey

FF: Archer May, Kyle Langford, Archie Perkins

FOLL: Lachlan Blakiston, Sam Durham, Zach Merrett

I/C: Elijah Tsatas, Jade Gresham, Will Setterfield, Nik Cox, Nick Bryan

Fremantle Dockers Predicted Team List

FB: Brandon Walker, Heath Chapman, Judd McVee

HB: Jordan Clark, Luke Ryan, Karl Worner

C: Jeremy Sharp, Andrew Brayshaw, James Aish

HF: Murphy Reid, Sam Switkowski, Josh Treacy

FF: Jye Amiss, Patrick Voss, Michael Frederick

FOLL: Sean Darcy, Caleb Serong, Luke Jackson

I/C: Shai Bolton, Neil Erasmus, Matthew Johnson, Isaiah Dudley, Bailey Banfield

Essendon Bombers vs Fremantle Dockers Match Details

Date: Sunday, May 17, 2026

First Bounce: 1:10pm AEST

Location: MCG, Melbourne

How to Watch: Fox Footy/Kayo Sports