AFL Tips: Melbourne v West Coast

Saturday, August 2 – 1.20 PM AEST – Venue: Marvel Stadium

Ready for Melbourne v West Coast? We’ve got you covered with our best bet, player prop, and Same Game Multi, all using odds from BetBetBet – Aussie betting site you should check out.

Melbourne should come out breathing fire after letting the Saints run over them for a record breaking loss after leading by 46 points at three quarter time last week. But this is Melbourne so who knows.

The Eagles have had a shocking season with only one win, they don’t travel well, and they have now lost former No. 1 pick Harley Reid, their young gun midfielder for the rest of the season, after he had to be helped off the field after damaging his right ankle in a tackle in the Eagles’ 49-point loss to Fremantle on Saturday. Oscar Allan suffered his season-ending injury after his foot was also caught in a tackle at training last Thursday. The Eagles will at least hope key defender Harry Edwards will be able to return for their match against a wounded Melbourne outfit after being ruled out late against the Dockers with hamstring soreness. Others in the mix include Tom Gross who hasn’t played since Round 11 but was clearly the Eagles’ best player in the WAFL with 23 disposals and two goals, and Campbell Chesser who had 20 disposals in the WAFL, has not played at AFL level this season, but could be given a run of games to see if he deserves another contract for 2026.

Melbourne has the class all over the ground and should win their seventh game for the season. The Demons will be far too good for the Eagles, who have been very disappointing this year. Their fans were booing them at half time last week as it was obvious they were going to lose a game they were expected to win against the Tigers.

Petracca, Viney and Oliver will get plenty of the ball and Gawn their skipper will be working hard to ensure the team plays out a full game.  Harry Sharp kicked five goals and Jack Billings had 35 disposals, eight marks, six tackles and kicked two goals in the VFL last week and could come into the side this week. Steven May and Jake Lever are still unavailable due to suspension and an ankle injury respectively.

The Demons should dominate this match, but they are the demons!

Melbourne and West Coast have had contrasting trajectories this AFL season, which makes for an interesting clash. Melbourne, despite some inconsistencies, have managed to stay in finals contention, while West Coast continue their rebuild with a younger squad. Looking at recent results, Melbourne have been solid defensively but have struggled to convert inside 50s efficiently. On the other hand, West Coast have shown glimpses of improvement, especially at home, but often fall short against top-eight sides.

When it comes to AFL Betting Tips, it’s worth considering how each team performs under pressure. Melbourne tend to control games better when they dominate in clearances and intercept marks, areas where West Coast still show vulnerability. Another angle is player performance – tracking midfield efficiency and contested possession stats can offer insights for informed AFL tips.

Historically, Melbourne have had the upper hand in recent meetings, and their home-ground advantage could influence momentum. However, with unpredictable form lines and the growing confidence of West Coast’s younger players, this fixture could throw up a few surprises. Anyone looking for a calculated AFL prediction should weigh up not just ladder positions, but team structure, injury lists, and recent quarter-by-quarter trends.

Melbourne by 67 points