Sunday afternoon football continues at Marvel Stadium with North Melbourne taking on Melbourne. Both teams are coming off defeats in Round 1, and will be desperate to pick up their first win of 2025. Jack Tobin is back with a full preview, best bet, and Same Game Multi for the clash below!
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.
North Melbourne vs Melbourne
Location: Marvel Stadium – Melbourne
Date: Sunday, 23rd March
Time: 3:20pm AEDT
Odds: North Melbourne ($3.10) vs Melbourne ($1.38)
Line: Melbourne -22.5
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
Both North Melbourne and Melbourne look set to make a plethora of changes for Sunday’s clash.
The Kangaroos will make at least two changes with Griffin Logue (hamstring) and Jackson Archer (suspension) out for this week. Toby Pink, Miller Bergman, Dylan Stephens, Finnbar Maley and Brynn Teakle are the inclusions in the extended squad.
Caleb Windsor (foot) and Aidan Johnson (suspension) are out for the Demons, with Charlie Spargo, Daniel Turner, Bailey Laurie, Jed Adams and Taj Woewodin named in Sunday’s extended squad. Spargo, who was a crucial member of Melbourne’s 2021 premiership side, hasn’t played since Opening Round 2024, will add some much needed class in the Demons front half.
Melbourne rolled out six debutants against a GWS side that many expect to win the premiership, and put themselves in a position where they should have won the game. The Demons led for 86 minutes and 41 seconds, and Aidan Johnson had a set shot with 1:55 remaining that would’ve put Melbourne up by 8 points and likely sealed the game.
Johnson’s shot missed, and the Giants would go end to end from the kick in, with Lachie Keefe kicking the match winning set shot.
North Melbourne had a golden opportunity to start their season with a win against a depleted Western Bulldogs side.
The Kangaroos were within seven points at three quarter time, but conceded three goals inside the first six minutes of the final quarter, which ultimately proved too much to overcome.
Melbourne showed a lot last week, winning plenty of key statistical areas. The Dees were +28 disposals, +28 marks, +17 contested possessions and +4 inside 50’s. Melbourne’s biggest issue was their work at clearances, with the Demons recording -12 clearances.
North Melbourne scored 40 points from stoppages last week, so Melbourne will need to be better in the clearance battle this week. Harry Sheezel (31 disposals, 6 clearances), Jy Simpkin (30 disposals, 4 clearances) and Tristian Xerri (51 hitouts, 5 clearances) will provide Melbourne plenty of challenges in the clearance battle.
The battle of the two best ruckmen in the competition will be a fascinating watch as Max Gawn and Tristian Xerri go head-to-head. If the Roos are to have any chance to win, Xerri needs to get the better of Gawn, who had 46 hitouts, 24 disposals, 7 clearances and 3 marks.
Melbourne have won six consecutive games against North Melbourne, but given the changes both sides have experienced over the last year, this will be the most competitive matchup between the two clubs in a long time.
Ultimately Melbourne will be too strong for the young Roos, but this will be a close encounter. Four of Melbourne’s last six wins have come by under 40 points, and given the Demons didn’t show much improvement in their front half game last week, it looks like the Dees won’t be a high scoring team in 2025.
Melbourne 1-39
$2.20 (1 Unit)
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!
Clayton Oliver 25+ Disposals: After much scrutiny over the last two years, Clayton Oliver got off to a solid start in Round 1, recording 25 disposals. Oliver will continue to get better week on week, and has a fantastic record against North Melbourne. In 10 games against North Melbourne Oliver has averaged 29 disposals per game, and recorded over 25 disposals in 9 of those ten games.
Jack Viney 25+ Disposals: Jack Viney kicked off 2025 with a great performance, recording 27 disposals. While Petracca and Oliver have had their struggles over the last 24 months, Viney has been ultra-reliable. Viney has hit the 25 disposal mark in his last two games against the Roos and his size will give North Melbourne plenty of trouble.
Paul Curtis Anytime Goal Scorer: Paul Curtis has become one of North Melbourne’s most reliable players, showing glimpses that he could become one of the best small forwards in the league. Curtis kicked 30 goals in a terrible side last year, and started 2025 with 3 goals against the Dogs.
SGM Odds: $4.00 at BoomBet
