Super Saturday in the AFL rolls around again in Round 3, with four matches to look forward to. Action gets underway at the home of footy as Melbourne plays host to Gold Coast at the MCG. It’s currently a fairly even match in terms of the odds, so we’ve dissected the game and offered our best bet below, as well as a value Same Game Multi. Good luck to everyone following along!
Also, Before You Bet will be providing free previews and betting tips for EVERY game in the 2025 AFL season, so make sure to head over to out our AFL Tips regularly to keep up to date with all of our free content.
Melbourne vs Gold Coast
Location: MCG – Melbourne
Date: Saturday, 29th March
Time: 1:20pm AEDT
Odds: Melbourne ($2.00) vs Gold Coast ($1.82)
Line: Gold Coast -4.5
Points: 170.5
Odds and lines provided with thanks to Dabble. Note that odds and lines can fluctuate throughout the week, and are correct at the time of writing.
Match Preview
Melbourne will be desperate to avoid a 0-3 start to the season when they take on Gold Coast at the MCG in the first of four games on Saturday in Round 3. The Demons have had a rough start to the year, beginning with a heartbreaking three-point loss to the Giants, where they showed promising signs but failed to get over the line. However, their Round 2 performance was far more concerning, as they were demolished by North Melbourne by 10 goals, conceding 125 points to a team that has consistently finished near the bottom of the ladder in recent years. Defensive frailties were on full display, and with key defender Jake Lever now sidelined with injury, there are serious concerns about their ability to contain opposition forwards. One positive for Melbourne has been the impact of first-year players Xavier Lindsay and Jack Henderson, while Clayton Oliver has also made an impressive start to the season after a disappointing 2024 campaign.
Gold Coast, on the other hand, come into this game with just one match under their belt after their Opening Round fixture was postponed due to Cyclone Alfred and their bye last weekend. In their only appearance so far, the Suns were simply outstanding, thrashing West Coast by 87 points in Perth and racking up 136 points in a dominant display. Their midfield brigade was unstoppable, with Matt Rowell, Noah Anderson, and Touk Miller all accumulating big numbers and providing relentless drive. The Suns have long been a team full of potential but have repeatedly faded after strong starts to seasons. However, they will be hoping that 2025 is the year they finally break through for a maiden finals appearance.
In response to last week’s thrashing, Melbourne have swung the axe at selection, making five changes. The big inclusion is Steven May, who returns from injury to shore up the defence, but the absence of Lever will still leave a significant gap. For the Suns, they have made three changes from their dominant Round 1 win, with Mac Andrew coming in to replace the injured Charlie Ballard, while Sam Flanders is set to make his first appearance of the season after a breakout 2024 campaign.
Historically, Melbourne have had complete control over this matchup, boasting a 15-3 record against the Suns and winning the last 12 meetings between the sides. However, this feels like a different scenario. The Suns are coming off an emphatic performance, have made some strong offseason additions, and appear ready to take the next step. Meanwhile, Melbourne are dealing with key injuries and are fielding a significantly younger and less experienced side. While the Demons will be eager to respond on their home deck, Gold Coast have all the momentum, and they look like a great chance to finally snap their losing streak against Melbourne.
Gold Coast to Win
$1.82 (3 Units)
Same Game Multi
Throughout the 2025 AFL season we’ll be putting together a fun same game multi for every match at BoomBet using their BetShare feature.
To follow our multi, just click on the BoomBet BetShare button below and our same game multi selections will be added straight into your bet slip on BoomBet. You can then enter how much you wish to wager, and with a single click, your bet has been placed!
Ethan Read 2+ Goals – I liked his game in Round 1 where he matched up on Jeremy McGovern and was able to out-mark him on multiple occasions. Also kicked a couple of goals and looks as though he’s ready to make a big impact at AFL level in his second season.
Noah Anderson 30+ Disposals – Averaged 28.9 disposals last season and started 2025 with 36 disposals in Round 1. I expect the Suns midfield to get on top here and for Anderson to be at the forefront of that.
Clayton Oliver 25+ Disposals – Looks to be bouncing back nicely from a down year in 2024. 25 disposals first up and 36 last weekend. He should be good for at least 25 again here.
SGM Odds: $5.50 at BoomBet
