AFL Bulldogs vs Melbourne Rd 19 betting tips – July 23, 2022

Can the Western Bulldogs keep their AFL finals hopes alive when they host premiership favourites Melbourne at Marvel Stadium this Saturday night in round 19?

The Bulldogs came out firing in round 18. The time for half measures was past and they needed to win the ball, kick straight, and bank the premiership points. The hungry dogs restricted the Saints to zero goals in the first quarter and two goals in the second while kicking five and three of their own.

The Dogs should approach this game with a nothing-to-lose attitude, and we are expecting a bold showing. If they are to play and win finals, there is no dodging the best teams in the AFL, and the Dogs should relish the opportunity to knock over the Demons here. A win will shoot their confidence sky-high and put other teams on notice.

Melbourne continue to display signs of vulnerability and were somewhat fortunate to beat the Power in round 18. Are the Demons coasting slightly with a top-four spot locked away, or do they have a higher gear that can be engaged in big games?

We have turned bearish on Melbourne’s prospects of landing back-to-back flags and will be happy to take on the premiership favourites at every opportunity. This includes betting against them here and laying them in premiership markets.

Key matchup: Bontempelli vs Viney

Bulldog midfield champ Marcus Bontempelli showed his true colours in round 18, racking up 34 disposals, 11 marks, four clearances, three tackles, and two goals. Big games require the best players to step up and perform, and Bontempelli looks like the key to the Bulldogs’ final chances. He will pop up all over the ground, win the ball in the centre, take defensive marks, and kick truly in front of the big sticks.

Demon midfielder Jack Viney looks like their most important player for this contest. With Clayton Oliver playing with a broken thumb and Christian Petracca playing a more forward role, the onus will fall on Viney to win the ball in the middle and send it into attacking zones. The Demons have struggled to score enough points during their mini-slump, and Viney will need to deliver the quality inside 50s required to get the Demons’ forwards firing.

Western Bulldogs vs Melbourne betting strategy

The Demons are only warm favourites here, and as you can tell, we are tipping against them. The Dogs simply have more to play for and the Demons continue to look shaky. The line has been set at a narrow 8.5 points, but fortune favours the brave, and we will be backing the Dogs straight-up. The game might have some decent-sized swings, if history is any guide, so live betting opportunities might be on offer. We are confidently tipping the Dogs can win and keep marching on toward a possible spot in the top eight.

Western Bulldogs vs Melbourne same game multi tips

For reasons of surety, we will be going with the line bet for our same-game combo. So, we are backing the Dogs +8.5, into Josh Bruce 2+ goals, into Marcus Bontempelli 20+ disposals. This triple-header will return $4.29 courtesy of Ladbrokes.

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