Melbourne will take on GWS in one of the games of the weekend in Round 16 of the AFL season. The action gets underway from 1.45pm on Saturday afternoon and as usual, PuntingInDanger has you covered with a full preview and betting tips for the clash below. Remember to head to our AFL Round 16 Tips page for our predictions on all Round 16 games.
AFL Melbourne vs GWS Betting Tips
MCG, Saturday 1.45pm (AEST)
The Dees are a game clear at the top of the ladder but have the Bulldogs breathing down their neck while the Giants have a great chance to jump into the eight after another early round loss from the Tigers. It makes this Saturday afternoon clash of great importance for both teams.
Match Prediction
While there is no doubt the Dees are deserved ladder leaders this season, they have shown signs of weakness over the last month or so. They lost an extremely uncharacteristic game to the Crows in Adelaide back in Round 10 before losing to the Pies on Queens Birthday and just limping over the line against the Bombers last week.
The Tigers slipped up against the Saints on Friday night last week and left the door ajar for the Giants to jump into the top eight. GWS couldn’t take advantage as they were shocked by the Hawks, going down by 18 points at home. With the Tigers stumbling again on Thursday night this week, the Giants have another great opportunity to claim a spot in the top eight.
They were absolutely ravaged by injuries earlier in the season but the Giants are starting to come good at the right time of the year. Captain Stephen Coniglio will make his return through the VFL this week while key defender Sam Taylor could come straight back into the senior side. It leaves just Lachie Keefe, Tom Hutchesson and Braydon Preuss on the sidelines from their potential best 22.
The Demons still have without doubt the best-looking injury list in the league, with only Marty Hore and Adam Tomlinson missing from their potential best 22. They can’t find a spot for key forwards Sam Weideman and Ben Brown in the team at the moment, which is a testament to how good their depth it.
The Dees certainly deserve to be favourites here but 27.5 points is a little hefty for my liking. They started the season like a house on fire but have not won a game by 30+ points since all the way back in Round 7 in their win over the Roos, a game which they trailed for the majority. It's also looking like being pretty wet in Melbourne on Saturday, so I expect the slick conditions to keep this one close.
GWS +27.5 (1.5 Units)
$1.90
Same Game Multi
Josh Kelly has surpassed 25 touches in his last eight games straight. Had 24 against the Demons in shortened quarters last season and 31 against them the season before.
Tim Taranto has passed 25 touches in 12 of his 14 games this season and I like him to be heavily involved on Saturday, with the wet weather suiting his in and under style.
Max Gawn has racked up 15+ in all but 2 games this season and like Taranto, should have more touches in the wet as slick conditions often force the ruckman to grab the ball straight out of the ruck and kick long.
Kelly 20+ Disp.
Taranto 25+ Disp.
Gawn 15+ Disp.
MEL vs GWS Same Game Multi
$2.37
