Sunday football kicks off in Hobart as a red hot Melbourne take on the Kangaroos. North Melbourne will be out to end their seventeen game losing streak, while the Demons will be looking to keep a stranglehold in their spot in the top 4.
Also, make sure to check out our AFL page regularly to keep up to date with all of our content, including tips for every game, weekly Brownlow recap, and more!
AFL Round 21 Preview & Betting Tips
North Melbourne vs Melbourne
Sunday 1:10pm AEST, August 6th, Blundstone Arena
North Melbourne’s horror season hit its lowest point, in a five point loss to eighteenth placed West Coast. After starting the season 2-0, the Kangaroos have lost seventeen straight games in a year where they've failed to make any progress in their rebuild.
Despite the defeat, North haven’t made any omissions as of yet, with Ben Cunnington, Tom Powell and Charlie Lazarro included in Sunday’s extended squad.
A strong final quarter steered Melbourne to their fourth consecutive win, as the Demons ran over the top of Richmond to keep themselves six points clear inside of the top four. Melbourne have all but sewn up a top four spot, and are beginning to firm as a genuine contender with the form they are in.
Brodie Grundy headlines the inclusions for Melbourne’s squad alongside Michael Hibbard, Tom Sparrow and Charlie Spargo. Taj Woewodin is the only omission at this stage.
The Demons four game winning streak has been built on a major improvement in their front half game. After averaging just 63 points between Rounds 10-16, Melbourne has scored an average of 102 points per game since Round 17, producing their second best score of the season against Richmond.
Melbourne’s highest score this season was of 139 in a 90 point win over the Roos back in Round 7, and reached the 100 point mark in four of their last six games against North Melbourne, averaging 107 points per game across the six game stretch.
North Melbourne have the seventeenth ranked defence in the competition, conceding an average score of 101 points per game. It’s going to be a tall task for the Roos defence to contain a Melbourne side that is firing all cylinders.
The midfield battle is another area of the ground that the Demons will likely gain a major advantage in. Melbourne is the number one ranked side in the AFL for contested possessions, and rank sixth for clearances.
This game should be a bloodbath, the Dees are in excellent form and have the Roos covered comprehensively in every facet of the game.
Melbourne have had the wood over the Roos, winning their last four games against North Melbourne by an average margin of 56 points. Whether in Melbourne or Tasmania, the Demons have had their way against the Roos, and it will be a continuation of their dominance on Sunday afternoon.
Melbourne -42.5
$1.90 (2 Units)
Same Game Multi
The easiest way to place your Same Game Multi is to click on the BoomBet BetShare banner below! This will add our SGM selections straight into your BoomBet bet slip! You can then enter how much you wish to wager and with one click, your bet has been placed!
Jack Viney 25+ Disposals: Viney produced another crucial performance for the Dees last week, racking up 32 disposals in the win over Richmond. Viney has reached the 25 disposal mark in seven consecutive games, and will be a handful for the inexperienced North mids.
Ed Langdon 20+ Disposals: Ed Langdon is beginning to hit his stride after a quiet patch during the middle of the season. Langdon has hit the 20 disposal mark in five of his last six games, and excluding last season when he subbed out in the second quarter, the star wingman has reached the 20 disposal mark in his last five games against North.
Lachie Hunter 20+ Disposals: Hunter wasn’t at his best in Round 20, however the former Bulldog has been an outstanding pick up for Melbourne. Hunter is averaging 22 disposals per game this season, and his hit the 20 disposal mark in fifteen of his eighteen games in 2023.
Kade Chandler Anytime Goal scorer: Chandler’s return in the last fortnight has brought excellent returns, with four goals across his last fortnight. Chandler has kicked a goal in eleven of his seventeen games this season, including a three goal outing against North Melbourne.
SGM Odds: $3 at BoomBet