Melbourne v West Coast, MCG

It is extraordinary to think only two months ago that West Coast bullied Melbourne and
appeared to be rising back up the ladder. That performance proved to be a false dawn for
the Eagles, who have produced some rubbish since. Their effort against Hawthorn last
Sunday was unacceptable, bringing back memories of some of their worst losses in 2022
and 2023. Melbourne were brave at the Gabba, but ran out of legs against the Brisbane
Lions to find themselves outside of the top-eight. But with the defeat to West Coast a recent
memory, they should be spurred on to make amends in convincing fashion.

With Melbourne set to take on West Coast at the MCG, this clash presents an interesting angle for those following AFL betting tips. Historically, the Demons have had the upper hand, and their recent form remains solid despite a few inconsistent quarters in past rounds. Melbourne’s midfield, led by Oliver and Petracca, continues to apply pressure around the contest, which could be a key factor in controlling the tempo of the game.

On the other hand, West Coast has shown signs of improvement in the latter half of the season. While their ladder position doesn’t reflect much success, a few younger players have stepped up in recent weeks, offering a more competitive edge. Their performance against Essendon showed resilience, even if they fell short in the final quarter.

When looking at AFL tips for this matchup, it’s important to factor in home-ground advantage, recent injuries, and player matchups. The Eagles will need to overcome a significant midfield challenge and tighten their defense to avoid early scoreboard pressure.

In terms of AFL prediction, expect Melbourne to dictate the pace, but West Coast could make it interesting if they can replicate their recent contested efforts. Keep an eye on disposal efficiency and inside-50 counts.

TIP: Melbourne by 39 points, Jack Viney for 25 or more possessions