Melbourne v Sydney AFL Round 3 preview, odds & best bets

The Melbourne Demons will be out to regain their winning edge when they host the unbeaten Swans in front of a packed MCG in a round three blockbuster this Sunday.

Melbourne had no answers to the midfield dominance of the Lions in round two, while Sydney have looked unstoppable in their two AFL appearances to date.

The Demons were outplayed across the park against the Lions, but it was their capitulation around the stoppages that was most shocking. The stacked midfield of the Dees was no match for the Brisbane centre group, who won the clearances 60 to 32.

The Demons kicked a few late, face-saving goals, but the Lions had them comfortably covered for most of the game. Punters who rallied to Melbourne based on their round one demolition of the Bulldogs were left holding the bag and might be reluctant to wade in with such confidence again.

The Sydney Swans have started the year in impressive form with big wins over the Gold Coast and Hawthorn. While those sides are not expected to play finals, the Swans beat them by 49 and 81 points respectively and could hardly have been more emphatic.

Sydney show no signs of a hangover after they were embarrassed in the 2022 AFL Grand Final, and might be building toward another serious run at the flag. This game will tell us exactly where their form currently stands.

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Key matchup: Clayton Oliver v Errol Gulden

Clayton Oliver vs Errol Gulden

Melbourne midfield star Clayton Oliver was a shining light against the Lions, amassing 37 disposals, one goal, nine tackles, and five clearances. Few AFL players read the game better than Oliver and he consistently puts his body in the right position to impact the play. Another big effort will be required to negate the dominant Swans midfield group and give the Demons stoppage ascendancy.

Sydney midfielder Errol Gulden has had a stellar start to the season, averaging 26 disposals, 18.5 kicks, three clearances, and four tackles. The 20-year-old looks a readymade ball-winner and potential topliner in the making. He joined the Swans as the 32nd draft pick in 2020 and has improved dramatically since making his debut. This game will pit his emerging talents match against some of the competition’s best.

Melbourne Demons v Sydney Swans Rd 3 match prediction

The Demons go into this fixture as narrow favourites with the early line set at a skinny 4.5 points. The Swans would be favourites if the game was being played in Sydney. Despite the home-ground advantage, this looks like a classic coin-flip and we are therefore obliged to take the Swans at the better odds. They appear in red-hot form and should be unconcerned by the threat posed by the rebounding Demons.

Melbourne v Sydney AFL same game multi tips

If Sydney do manage to get home, we can expect some of their better performers to lead the way. Our suggested same game multi is Sydney to win into Isaac Heeney to score two or more goals, into Errol Gulden to get 20 or more disposals. This will return $5.52 on BetOnline.

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