Autopsy AFL 2026 Round 8 - Bombers v Lions Sat May 2nd 12:35pm AEST (Marvel)

[Wosh]

17th v 5th

AFL 2026 PREMIERSHIP SEASON ROUND 8
ESSENDON V BRISBANE LIONS
SAT MAY 2ND 12:35PM (MARVEL)

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Teams:
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ESSENDON
FB: Jaxon Prior (25), Ben McKay (32), Andrew McGrath (1)
HB: Archie Roberts (21), Zach Reid (31), Jacob Farrow (2)
C: Xavier Duursma (28), Jye Caldwell (6), Archer Day-Wicks (44)
HF: Dyson Sharp (15), Nate Caddy (30), Sullivan Robey (9)
FF: Jade Gresham (11), Kyle Langford (4), Thomas Edwards (45)
FOLL: Peter Wright (20), Zach Merrett (7), Sam Durham (22)
INT: Nik Cox (13), Max Kondogiannis (29), Saad El-Hawli (41), Jayden Nguyen (42), Lachlan Blakiston (46)
EMG: Elijah Tsatas (5), Archie Perkins (16), Hussien El Achkar (33)
IN: Jayden Nguyen, Max Kondogiannis, Nik Cox, Jade Gresham
OUT: Elijah Tsatas (Omitted), Darcy Parish (Managed), Archer May (Injured), Isaac Kako (Injured)

BRISBANE LIONS
FB: Keidean Coleman (18), Harris Andrews (31), Ryan Lester (35)
HB: Darcy Wilmot (44), Jaspa Fletcher (3), Dayne Zorko (15)
C: Hugh McCluggage (6), Will Ashcroft (8), Levi Ashcroft (10)
HF: Charlie Cameron (23), Ty Gallop (22), Zac Bailey (33)
FF: Sam Draper (2), Cam Rayner (16), Logan Morris (13)
FOLL: Darcy Fort (32), Josh Dunkley (5), Lachie Neale (9)
INT: Kai Lohmann (1), Lincoln McCarthy (11), Conor McKenna (26), Cody Curtin (37), Bruce Reville (38)
EMG: Will McLachlan (28), James Tunstill (29), Darragh Joyce (41)
NEW: Cody Curtin
IN: Dayne Zorko, Cody Curtin
OUT: Oscar Allen (Injured), James Tunstill (Omitted)

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Dissect the game with other fans.

 

[JackFlash]

Lions by 86 points

 

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

Couldn't even care want this dumpster fire of a season to end.

 

[Toffee Lion]

I think Essendon are a sneaky chance. Lions play well against the good teams and poor against the lesser teams. Only beat Essendon by 3 goals the last 2 years.

Haven't played the Bombers down here for a while as well. Wouldn't totally shock me if this is like the Melbourne game, if Essendon start well and the Lions think they have it in the bag from the get go, could get interesting.

 

[windyhill]

Breakfast with The Bombers, or at least brunch. Crowd will be interesting after many jumped on board for Anzac Day, but a lot will bring up the following excuses.
Oh it’s too early.
Oh kids sport.
Oh, I had a big Friday night.
Ohh, cost of living
You can guarantee that if we’d won Anzac day , these excuses would be null and void we would’ve filled the joint.
Loyalist’s only for Brunch with The Bombers. ****ing sad.

 

[voorhees]

another tough week incoming for the bombers..

 

[timokane]

Lions in a canter and wins by around 46 points

 

[Vindicater]

Going to get pumped.

 

[Elixuh]

Injuries mounting for the lions. Wouldn’t be surprised to see us go in underdogs this week, don’t sleep on Essendon.

 

[Toffee Lion]

Going to get pumped.

I don't think the Lions will get pumped but with Allen out and others still not back, Essendon should win but I'd expect it to be in the 2-4 goal range.

 

[PCORF]

Brissy by 20-30pts.

 

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

Brissy by 20-30pts.

 

[irel]

With Allen, Hipwood, Payne, Berry, Answerth, Gardner, and Annable all unavailable, effectively seven best‑23 players, this is shaping up as a very tough assignment. On paper, it has the potential to turn into an Essendon slaughter.

If we can limit the damage and get away with a 20–30 point loss, we’ve probably done reasonably well given the circumstances.

 

[pazza]

With Allen, Hipwood, Payne, Berry, Answerth, Gardner, and Annable all unavailable, effectively seven best‑23 players, this is shaping up as a very tough assignment. On paper, it has the potential to turn into an Essendon slaughter.

If we can limit the damage and get away with a 20–30 point loss, we’ve probably done reasonably well given the circumstances.

It's an interesting dynamic coming in.

 

[Miluxx]

View attachment 2596445

I would too from an us point of view. % not a problem early. Dropped 2 games within a kick that hurt. Dropping this would put a big question mark on top 4 hopes.

 

[Section 5]

Lions should beat the Bombers comfortably on form.

Allen out but Zorko expected to return.
Not like for like but a good in.

Lions may leave it at that but could make one more change.
A debut maybe

 

[blueiris]

Cody Curtin named to debut

 

[Cam Payne]

Good to see Cox back as well.

 

[Xtreme]

Essendon with the upset of the season, putting yet another nail in Brisbane's premiership coffin.

Essendon by 78

 

[Wosh]

Teams are up

 

[Cool Kangas]

I think Essendon are a sneaky chance. Lions play well against the good teams and poor against the lesser teams. Only beat Essendon by 3 goals the last 2 years.

Haven't played the Bombers down here for a while as well. Wouldn't totally shock me if this is like the Melbourne game, if Essendon start well and the Lions think they have it in the bag from the get go, could get interesting.

This is a pisstake right?

 

[bungalow_bill]

This is a pisstake right?

Perhaps but there's a few grains of truth there, the Lions do tend to take the lesser teams lightly thinking they can just cruise to a W.

 

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

Good to see Cox back as well.

630 days since his last game hope he goes well

 

[voorhees]

brizzy are on a different level then the bombers and will Cruz home
brizzy... 30-40p

 

[voorhees]

630 days since his last game hope he goes well

no kidding.. wow
suffered from repeated concussion, if im not mistaken.
all the best for his return