Melbourne v Collingwood AFL preview & best bets – 12/6/23

Melbourne Demons v Collingwood Magpies AFL predictions & best bets

Melbourne v Collingwood R13 match preview

Monday Afternoon sees the Melbourne Demons host the Collingwood Magpies at the MCG in the annual King’s Birthday game. Two 2023 AFL premiership contenders, this game should be a tough contest in front of a sell-out crowd.

After losing a couple of games in a row, the Melbourne Demons got back to winning ways last weekend as they took down the Carlton Blues by 17 points in a low scoring affair. A game where they never trailed, the Demons kept the Blues at a safe distance throughout the game, as their defence gave the Carlton forwards limited opportunities. In the absence of Clayton Oliver, star midfielder Christian Petracca put on a show in a clear best-on-ground effort, gathering 32 disposals and kicking a goal.

The Collingwood Magpies last week continued their winning ways as they travelled over to Perth to take on the 18th placed West Coast Eagles. A game where the Pies were heavy favourites, the Eagles kept the game fair close for a lot of the game before Collingwood kicked the last eight goals of the game to run out 63-point winners. Brownlow medal favourite Nick Daicos once again put in a superb showing gathering 30 disposals to go alongside his three goals.

The Pies come into this week’s game on an eight-game winning streak but come off facing the two bottom teams in the competition over the last two weeks, so the Demons present as a bigger challenge this weekend.

The Demons currently sit third on the ladder, but their draw tells a different story. They have only beaten one side in the top eight this season, the Western Bulldogs in round one. If the Demons are serious about contending for the premiership this season, they have got to start beating other good sides.

Melbourne v Collingwood betting strategy

Based off form, it is hard to see Melbourne winning this game, look for Collingwood to win this game and extend their lead at the top of the ladder, ($1.75).

Two absences are a key storyline for this game as Collingwood’s Jordan De Goey and Melbourne’s Clayton Oliver both miss due to suspension and injury respectively. Both key cogs in their team’s midfield, it will be up to others to fill their roles. Someone who will look to step up for the Demons is Jack Viney. Attending a much greater number of centre bounces in the last two weeks, Viney will be around the footy all day, putting his body on the line as he looks for the hard ball. Expect Viney to collect 25 or more disposals at $2.55 with the top online bookmakers.

When looking for goal scorers for Collingwood, it is hard to go past inform key forward Brody Mihocek. Due to the many small forwards that the Magpies have, goals are normally spread throughout the team, but one constant in the forward line this season has been consistent scoreboard impact from Mihocek. Kicking multiple goals in all but two games so far this season, he is the focal point of the forward line each time the ball travels inside 50. Look for him to once again lead the forward line, kicking two or more goals, ($1.46).

Key matchup: Christian Petracca v Tom Mitchell

Christian Petracca vs Tom Mitchell

In a tough game, expect these two midfield bulls to be going head-to-head at the centre of it. Both players lead their teams for clearances and a big day from either will go a long way towards winning this match.

Petracca uses his size and aerobic capacity to out strengthen and outwork his opponents, regularly getting into space, as he expertly gathers both the inside and outside ball. He also hits the scoreboard by floating forward, creating mismatches wherever he goes.

Since moving to Collingwood this season, Mitchell has been the missing piece in the Collingwood midfield. A real in-and-under footballer, he is regularly found at the bottom of the pack with the footy, or tackling whoever does. He plays his role by distributing to the outside users, regularly playing a selfless role in the process.

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