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Western Bulldogs vs Melbourne Demons AFL Betting Tips - Dees to edge the Dogs in Round 11

Adam Cusworth

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Last updated: Sat 23 May 2026 19:52

Adam Cusworth 23 May 2026

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Melbourne Demons are in strong form, winning 6 of the last 8 games.
Bulldogs struggle with form and injuries, scoring under 75 points in 5 of 6 matches.
Pickett and Fritsch are top goalkicker tips for this matchup.

Expired

Demons to edge it (Getty Images)

Western Bulldogs vs Melbourne Demons Preview
Head to Head Stats
Western Bulldogs Form - Dogs Hit A Bump
Melbourne Demons Form - Dees Resurgent
Western Bulldogs vs Melbourne Demons Team List & News

Western Bulldogs vs Melbourne Demons Preview

Melbourne have impressed with a 7-3 record heading into Round 11 and they make the appeal in this one. The Bulldogs are not in great form and I'm backing the Dees to edge it with Kozzie Pickett tipped for goals.

Melbourne have now won six of their past eight matches and are averaging over 100 points per game this season
The Bulldogs have lost four of their past five and have scored 75 points or fewer in five of their past six matches.
Bailey Fritsch has kicked 2+ goals in his past two matches against the Bulldogs
Kozzie Pickett has booted nine goals in his past four games.

Head to Head Stats

The Western Bulldogs have won the past two meetings between the two sides and were six-point winners in Round 22 at the MCG last season, which was the most recent clash.

They have also won their past two at Marvel Stadium against Melbourne by 51 and 100 points respectively.

Western Bulldogs Form - Dogs Hit A Bump

The Bulldogs flew out of the blocks in 2026 with four straight wins before injuries began to take their toll, leading to a four-game losing streak.

They snapped that run with a two-point win over Port Adelaide a fortnight ago but went down to lowly Carlton by 12 points last weekend.

They were smashed by the Blues in the clearances and contested possessions in a very un-Bulldogs-like performance.

The Dogs generated just 38 inside 50s to Carlton’s 55 in the 9.8 (62) to 10.14 (74) scoreline, with concerns beginning to pile up at Whitten Oval.

Aaron Naughton booted 3.3 from limited opportunities, while Bailey Dale had 31 disposals. Marcus Bontempelli (24 disposals) and Ed Richards (19 disposals) were slightly down on their usual output.

Bontempelli has had 25+ disposals in three of the past four matches and has kicked six goals during that stretch, but there appears to be an over-reliance on the skipper in a side that lacks depth outside of its core star players.

After regularly kicking big scores in 2025 and during the early rounds of 2026, the Bulldogs have now posted fewer than 75 points in five of their past six matches.

Melbourne Demons Form - Dees Resurgent

Melbourne sit at 7-3 and have enjoyed a remarkable resurgence under Steven King. Apart from a shock Gather Round loss to Essendon, Demons fans would be delighted with the season so far, highlighted by a two-point win over Brisbane at the MCG and last weekend’s 39-point victory over Hawthorn.

The Demons overwhelmed the Hawks with pressure, intensity and contest work, while also making the most of their opportunities in the 18.12 (120) to 12.9 (81) victory.

A major feature of Melbourne’s improvement under King has been scoring power. The Demons are averaging over 100 points per game this season and have reached triple figures in seven of their 10 matches.

Melbourne have found far greater variety in attack this season. Harrison Petty booted three goals against Hawthorn after being swung forward, while Jacob van Rooyen and Kozzie Pickett were among six Demons to kick multiple goals.

Pickett has kicked nine goals from his past four matches, while van Rooyen has nine from his past three. Tom Sparrow had a team-high 27 disposals against Hawthorn, while Jack Steele gathered 26. Steele has had 25+ disposals in three of his past four matches.

Western Bulldogs vs Melbourne Demons Team List & News

James O’Donnell returns in defence for the Bulldogs, while Adam Treloar has been named on the extended bench. Bailey Williams and Jedd Busslinger are both out injured.

For the Demons, Caleb Windsor, Jack Henderson and Andy Moniz-Wakefield all return to the extended squad.

Verdict

Western Bulldogs v Melbourne Demons

Melbourne are backed in the head to head with Fritsch and Pickett among the multiple goalkickers.

Melbourne Demons

Win

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