Both of these sides will be looking to get back on the winners list as the Giants head to Marvel to take on the Bombers.

• Who: Essendon Bombers vs GWS Giants
• When: Sunday 9 April, 2.10pm
• Where: Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
• Weather: irrelevant because the roof should be closed
• Click here to buy tickets
• All time head-to-head record: Played 14. Giants 8 wins. Bombers 6 wins.

Teams

Giants

IN: Adam Kennedy

OUT: Cooper Hamilton (omitted), James Peatling (omitted)

Veteran Kennedy returns for the Giants with youngsters Hamilton and Peatling making way.

Bombers

IN: Brandon Zerk-Thatcher

OUT: Massimo D’Ambrosio (omitted), Nick Hind (sub)

The Bombers get a handy inclusion with Zerk-Thatcher returning from injury, while D’Ambrosio drops out of the 22.

Click here to see the full line-ups.

Season so far

GWS Giants 14^th – 95.1% | 251 points for | 264 points against| 1 win & 2 losses

After a stirring opening round win against the Crows, the Giants have dropped their last two.

They were super competitive against the Blues last week and were seriously unlucky with a soft umpire dissent free kick late in the game costing them dearly.

It was a pretty scrappy game though, especially after half time, and the Giants would be looking to improve their ball handling and ball use from that contest.

Toby Greene was also held very quiet so look for him to have a comeback game or they could even give him some midfield minutes if he’s not having an impact.

1-3 is a tough position to start the season if you want to play finals, so this becomes an important game for the Giants early in the season.

Essendon Bombers 6^th – 129.1% | 306 points for | 237 points against | 2 wins & 1 loss

The Bombers have made a solid start under new coach Brad Scott, although they would be disappointed with how they finished against the Saints last week.

After a slow start, the Bombers seemed to have all the momentum in the last quarter as they tied the scores, but St Kilda regained control to seal the win.

There’s no shame in falling short against the Saints given what we’ve seen so far this season, so there was still plenty to like about Essendon’s performance.

The Bombers are playing a more attractive style so far this year and with an opportunity to go 3-1 to really set themselves up, hopefully we see them play with plenty of dare under the roof of Marvel.

Last 5 meetings and Marvel Stadium history

• 2022 round 21: Giants 14.12 (96) defeat Bombers 10.9 (69) at Giants Stadium
• 2021 round 19: Bombers 7.11 (53) lost to Giants 9.12 (66) at Metricon Stadium
• 2021 round 8: Giants 16.11 (107) defeat Bombers 16.9 (105) at Giants Stadium
• 2020 round 10: Bombers 8.7 (55) lost to Giants 8.11 (59) at Metricon Stadium
• 2019 round 15: Bombers 12.5 (77) defeat Giants 10.11 (71) at Marvel Stadium

The Giants have a terrific recent record over the Bombers, winning the last four straight including a comfortable win in their only meeting last year.

However, none of those matches have been in Victoria and the Bombers most recent victory over GWS was their last encounter at Marvel.

These two have played just three times at Marvel with the Bombers holding a 2-1 advantage.

Pre-match predictions

Bomber bunnies: The Giants to make the Bombers their bunnies by making it five in a row against them. Giants by 12.

Divine Parish on Easter Sunday: Darcy Parish to put in a stellar performance with 30 touches and a goal on Easter Sunday.

Have any pre-match predictions of your own? Let us know in the comments below.