The Western Bulldogs will take on Hawthorn in the first of a big Friday night double header in Round 15 of the AFL this week. The action gets underway at 7.00pm and as always, we have you covered with a full preview and betting tips for the clash below.
Remember to head to our AFL Tips page for content on every game in Round 15 this weekend.
Western Bulldogs vs Hawthorn Betting Tips
Marvel Stadium, Friday 24th June, 7.00pm (AEST)
Western Bulldogs
Injuries: Taylor Duryea, Charlie Parker, Bailey Smith, Laitham Vandermeer (Out) Mitch Hannan, Stefan Martin, Toby McLean, Cody Weightman (Test)
The Dogs will still be without star midfielder Bailey Smith due to his suspension, which will last until Round 18. Cody Weightman will need to pass a fitness test on a sore elbow to be cleared to play on Friday night. Toby McLean has a chance to be in the line-up for his first game in 2022.
The Dogs currently sit in 10th place on the AFL ladder, just one game outside of the top eight. Given all of the top eight teams play eachother this weekend, a win here against teh Hawks would all but guarantee a spot in the top eight at the end of Round 15.
They have won four of their last five games and were too good for the Giants in a high scoring game in Round 14. They kicked 19 goals on the back of five from each from Aaron Naughton and Cody Weightman while star midfielder Jack Macrae racked up 37 touches and 9 tackles.
Hawthorn
Injuries: Tyler Brockman, Connor Downie, Sam Frost, Seamus Mitchell, Ben McEvoy (Out) Jack Gunston, Emerson Jeka, Ned Long, Max Lynch, Josh Ward
The Hawks will be waiting on the fitness tests of multiple players in the likes of Gunston, Lynch and Long ahead of the clash with the Western Bulldogs. They are still without skipper Ben McEvoy due to an ongoing neck issue, however, key forward Mitchell Lewis will be available.
The Hawks will be coming off their bye week in Round 14, which will have been a much needed reset after losing three straight games. The last two of those games though, they put extremely gallant efforts out in a four point loss to the Magpies followed by a 13 point loss to the Dockers in Perth.
The Hawks are all but out of the finals race, currently sitting in 14th place with a 4-9 record. They are a full four games out of the top eight, so will need something special to happen in the run home to challenge.
Match Prediction
The Dogs are starting to roll in 2022 and I think they should be too good for the Hawks, particularly at Marvel where they traditionally play their best football. They have won four of their last five games at Marvel Stadium by an average margin of 39.75 points.
On the contrary, the Hawks have lost their last four at Marvel Stadium by an average margin of 37.25 points. This line seems way to low for me at just 15.5 points.
Bulldogs -15.5
$2.00 (1.5 Units)
Prop Bets
No Bailey Smith in the line-up meant a massive bump in production for Jack Macrae in Round 14 as he racked up 35+ touches for the fourth time this season. I think he has another big game on Friday night with Smith still out of the line-up.
Macrae 35+ Disposals ($2.25 at Ladbrokes)
I like the total points over a lot here. The Hawks have been one of the leakiest defences in the league this season, playing an extremely aggressive style of football and often getting scored on heavily going the other way. The Hawks have allowed the third most points per game this season while the Bulldogs are the highest scoring team in the competition over the last month, scoring 112.2 points in their last five games.
Over 180.5 ($2.15 at Ladbrokes)
