Melbourne v GWS Giants AFL tips & preview | Sunday, March 16

Melbourne vs GWS Giants best bets

Melbourne vs GWS Giants match preview

Melbourne begin their 2025 AFL Premiership campaign this Sunday afternoon, with a tough clash against the GWS Giants at the MCG.

2024 was a tough year for the Demons, with constant off-field drama playing a major role in their 14th-placed finish. However, with Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver expected to re-establish their dynamic midfield partnership alongside ruckman Max Gawn, Melbourne will have much higher hopes for this season.

At $21 to win the AFL premiership this season with top online bookmakers, Melbourne aren’t tipped to be right at the peak of the ladder, this season. But with such a strong midfield group and a very experienced backline, there is enough quality to produce some upsets.

The Giants kicked off their season last Sunday with an impressive 52-point win over Collingwood in Sydney. Led by Josh Kelly (36 disposals) and Finn Callaghan (33 disposals and two goals), GWS won every quarter, as they kept the Pies to just six goals for the day.

Heavily tipped to be one of the contenders this year, AFL betting sites have given the Giants the third-shortest odds of $8 to win the flag. Playing a high-pressure game, the Giants have an abundance of midfielders, while they have arguably the best key defensive pairing in the AFL with Sam Taylor and Jack Buckley.

As a result, they enter this clash at slight favourites with major AFL betting apps at $1.82, while the Demons are at $2.10. The line is set at just 3.5 points.

Melbourne vs GWS Giants team news

Melbourne enters this season with a fairly healthy list, missing just Koltyn Tholstrup, Judd McVee and Shane McAdam from their best 22. Key forward Jacob Van Rooyen has overcome a back injury, while Christian Petracca has overcome his spleen, lung and rib issues that ruined his 2024 season.

2024 first round draftees Harvey Langford and Xavier Lindsay look set to make their debuts, while former Lion Harry Sharp is in the mix. But overall, the Dees will name a similar lineup to what was seen last season.

The Giants have been forced to make at least one change this week after ruckman Kieran Briggs entered concussion protocols. Lachie Keeffe moves into the ruck, while midfielder Tom Green has recovered from a calf injury.

Forward pairing Jesse Hogan (thumb) and Jake Stringer (hamstring) remain sidelined until after the bye.

Melbourne vs GWS Giants prediction

After watching the Giants dominant performance over the Magpies on Saturday, they should be hard to beat once again. Gawn should take advantage of the Giants’ ruck woes, but the Melbourne forward line should be no match for the lockdown GWS defence. Despite playing on the road, back the Giants to get the four points.

After a dramatic off-season, Melbourne midfielder Christian Petracca will be hoping to hit the ground running. He is known for his ability to explode out of the contest, while he also provides an excellent contest as he rests in the forward line. With a lack of obvious scoring options in the Melbourne forward line, Petracca presents as a good value option to kick two or more goals at $2.40 with BetOnline.

Coming off an impressive performance in the Opening Round, GWS midfielder Finn Callaghan is expected to continue his new role as an inside midfielder. Despite being a bigger-sized midfielder, Callaghan still possesses plenty of speed, while his time spent on the wing, means he is an excellent endurance player. Callaghan was in everything against the Pies, so back him to have another strong outing with 30 or more disposals at $3.50 with BetOnline.

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