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West Coast Eagles vs Melbourne Demons Preview & Tips - Demons to dominate at Optus Stadium?

Jeremy Darke

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Last updated: 18 May 2024

Jeremy Darke 18 May 2024

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West Coast vs Melbourne expert predictions for Sunday’s AFL game
Melbourne expected to win by a margin under 40 points
Game total anticipated to stay under 161.5 points

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Max Gawn (Getty Images)

West Coast Eagles vs Melbourne Demons Preview

Melbourne suffered a disappointing loss to Carlton last week but can make amends against West Coast this week. Their winning margin can stay under 40 points and the Game Total also hit the Under.

West Coast Eagles vs Melbourne Demons Preview
Head to Head
West Coast Eagles Form
West Coast Eagles Team News
West Coast Eagles Team List
Melbourne Demons Form
Melbourne Demons Team News
Melbourne Demons Team List

Both of Melbourne’s wins outside of the MCG were by a margin of 1-39.
7 of 9 matches played by Melbourne have gone Under the Game Total.
The previous 2 West Coast matches have gone Under the Game Total
West Coast concedes an average of just 80 points at Optus Stadium compared with their away average of 110.24.

Head to Head

Since 2019, the Eagles and Demons have split the results 3-3, however, it has been Melbourne who have won the past three games, all at Optus Stadium.

It was a bloodbath in 2023 with Tom McDonald (4), Christian Petracca (3) and Bayley Fritsch (3) all kicking 3+ plus goals in a 126-63 victory in Round 4.

West Coast Eagles Form

The Eagles suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of the reigning premiers last week, going down to Collingwood 103-37 in one of their worst performances of the season.

West Coast have definitely been a better team at Optus Stadium this season, getting wins over Richmond and Fremantles and staying within a goal of Essendon in their past three matches in Western Australia.

Missing Elliot Yeo hurt the Eagles last week, however their veteran midfielder is expected to link up with star rookie Harley Reid again this week which is when West Coast look their best.

West Coast Eagles Team News

Elliot Yeo ran well early in the week and is expected to play, overcoming his groin injury that kept him out last week. Jeremy McGovern is also a test later in the week.

Noah Long’s season is officially over, undergoing surgery on his PCL.

West Coast Eagles Team List

B: A.Witherden, T.Barrass, B.Hough

HB: T.Cole, J.McGovern, L.Duggan - C

C: C.Chesser, H.Reid, J.Hunt

HF: L.Edwards, J.Waterman, J.Cripps

F: L.Ryan, J.Darling, J.Williams

FOLL: B.Williams, T.Kelly, R.Ginbey

I/C (FROM): A.Gaff, D.Sheed, J.Jones, J.Rotham, R.Maric, T.Dewar, J.Culley

IN: J.Waterman, A.Gaff, J.Jones, H.Edwards, J.Culley

OUT: J.Petruccelle (Injured), H.Johnston (Omitted)

Melbourne Demons Form

Melbourne dug themselves a 38-point grave that was one point too deep against Carlton after finishing the first quarter 30-0 down.

It was an atrocious start for the Demons that saw Carlton dominate inside 50 and kick 5 goals none.

The Demons then took over the game kicking the final two goals of the third and the final four goals of the fourth to claw their way back, but it just wasn’t enough.

Ruckman Max Gawn continues to have his best season of his 14 year career, topping his stats in Disposals, Marks, Tackles, Clearances and Hit Outs, which has been a key to the Demons success.

Melbourne as a team have continued their dominance at the back relying on their ability to take an average of 62.9 intercepts per game.

Melbourne Demons Team News

Jacob van Rooyen has entered concussion protocol and will miss this week’s match.

Daniel Turner will miss the next month with a strained calf.

Melbourne Demons Team List

B: B.Howes, S.May, T.Rivers

HB: J.McVee, T.McDonald, J.Lever

C: J.Billings, C.Oliver, C.Windsor

HF: A.Neal-Bullen, B.Fritsch, K.Pickett

F: K.Chandler, H.Petty, S.McAdam

FOLL: M.Gawn - C, J.Viney, C.Petracca

I/C (FROM): C.Salem, J.Bowey, A.Tomlinson, T.Sparrow, T.Fullarton, T.Woewodin, B.Brown

IN: S.McAdam, C.Salem, A.Tomlinson, T.Fullarton, K.Tholstrup, B.Brown

OUT: E.Langdon (Personal Reason), J.van Rooyen (Injured), D.Turner (Injured)

Verdict

West Coast v Melbourne

Expect a controlled performance from Melbourne as they keep possession of the ball in a 1-39 win with the Game Total staying Under 161.5 points.

Melbourne 1-39

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