Some shuffling around in the AFL fixture this weekend has resulted in the Demons and Bulldogs headlining the five game Super Saturday slate in what should be an absolute blockbuster!
As always, PuntingInDanger has you covered with a full preview and betting tips below and remember to head to our AFL Tips page for our thoughts on every Round 19 matchup.
AFL Melbourne vs Western Bulldogs Betting Tips
MCG, Saturday 24th July, 7.25pm (AEST)
The top two teams in the eague will do battle for the second time this season and the dogs will be hunting revenge for their Round 11 loss at the hands of the Demons.
Match Preview
The Demons looked way off the mark last week, playing out a disappointing draw against the hawks. They now find themselves just 2 points clear at the top of the ladder and could find themselves as low as third place by the end of the round.
After maintaining the best injury list all season, the Demons are starting to be tested by some injuries to key players, but they should get James Harmes and Nathan Jones back this week to bolster the midfield.
The Dogs bounced back from a loss to the Swans in Round 17 with an unconvincing win over the Suns on the weekend. They never really put the nail in the coffin of the Suns, so the win surely wouldn’t inspire much confidence in Dogs fans.
The Bulldogs were buoyed by the return of star midfielder Josh Dunkley on the weekend, but he’ll be straight back out of the line-up this week after he visited an exposure site through the week. He joins Adam Treloar, Ryan Gardner, Toby MclLean, Stefan Martin and Lin Jong on the sidelines, but the Dogs could get important players in Tom Liberatore and Easton Wood back this week.
Melbourne have continually dropped points in games they shouldn’t have this season, proven by losses to Adelaide, Collingwood and GWS as well as the draw to the Hawks on the weekend. When they have been really tested though, they have stepped up, not having lost a single game this season to another top eight side.
With that sort of form, you have to expect they will be up and about for this game as well, particularly given it’s at the MCG, even if there is no crowd allowed. Max Gawn should run riot against a Martin-less Dogs ruck contingent. Back the Demons to win this one.
Demons H2H (1 Unit)
$1.88
Same Game Multi
Bailey Fritsch has been arguably the underatted forward of the competition so far this season. Without him, I think the Demons would really struggle to kick winning scores. He has been so reliable, kicking at least one goal in all but one game this season and kicking multiple in 10/16 games.
As I mentioned above, I think Max Gawn has a strong game against a battered Bulldogs ruck contingent. He has had at least 15 touches in 10 straight games and the last time he faced the Dogs, he had 21.
Marcus Bontempelli has had at least 25 touches in all but two games this season and his last 13 in a row. When he played the Demons back in Round 10, he had 30 touches.
Fritsch 2+ Goals
Gawn 15+ Disp.
Bontempelli 25+ Disp.
MEL vs WB Same Game Multi
$2.87
