Optus Stadium will play host to Sunday's Round 9 AFL game between West Coast Eagles and Melbourne Demons. The game kicks off at 5:20 pm with Melbourne Demons heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the West Coast Eagles vs. Melbourne Demons game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Sunday May 15, 2022 at 5:20 pm
Where: Optus Stadium
Bet: Bet On This Match HERE
West Coast Eagles vs Melbourne Demons Odds
West Coast Eagles vs Melbourne Demons Preview
The Dees extended their winning streak to 15 last week with a comfortable win over the Saints and if you’ve watched West Coast at all this season, you’ll know Melbourne’s run is unlikely to come to an end this weekend.
West Coast has now suffered four consecutive losses of 60 points or more and a game against the red-hot reigning premiers could not have come at a worse time.
Like last week against Brisbane, the line has opened at a healthy -57.5 in favour of Melbourne as the Eagles continue to struggle through injury and a basic lack of confidence.
The Dees won by only nine points when they visited West Coast in Perth last year but considering Optus Stadium was the sight of their Grand Final win in September, it’s almost a sure thing that they win this game by plenty.
Whether Simon Goodwin chooses to rest more than just Max Gawn this week will be fascinating, but with West Coast ranking first in goals allowed, you have to think even a B-grade Melbourne side is capable of handing out a beating.
The Eagles were their own worst enemies last week against the Lions, stacking more players than they needed to behind the ball.
In turn, West Coast was caught short when it came to moving the ball forward, and a similar strategy will almost certainly cost them early against the benchmark team in the competition.
Content provided by Ladbrokes
Head To Head Bet
We're tipping Melbourne Demons to win at $1.01 odds.
First Goal Scorer
First Goal Scorer: Christian Petracca at $13.
West Coast Eagles vs Melbourne Demons Teams
EAGLES
B: J.Rotham, T.Barrass, S.Hurn
HB: J.Jones, J.McGovern, A.Witherden
C: A.Gaff, T.Kelly, L.Duggan
HF: J.Cripps, J.Darling, S.Petrevski-Seton
F: C.Jamieson, J.Kennedy, L.Ryan
FOLL: B.Williams, C.West, J.Redden
I/C (from): J.Waterman, I.Winder, L.Foley, J.Nelson, G.Clark, H.Dixon, H.Edwards, P.Naish
IN: A.Witherden, B.Williams, J.Nelson, H.Dixon, G.Clark
OUT: J.Florenca (omitted), D.Mountford (Medi-Sub)
DEMONS
B: J.Bowey, H.Petty, J.Hunt
HB: J.Lever, S.May, T.Rivers
C: A.Brayshaw, C.Petracca, E.Langdon
HF: C.Spargo, T.McDonald, J.Viney
F: B.Fritsch, B.Brown, T.Sparrow
FOLL: M.Gawn, C.Oliver, A.Neal-Bullen
I/C (from): J.Harmes, L.Jackson, J.Melksham, A.Tomlinson, J.Jordon, K.Pickett, K.Chandler, M.Brown
IN: J.Melksham, A.Tomlinson, K.Chandler, M.Brown
OUT: T.Bedford