Melbourne vs Western Bulldogs AFL tips & top odds – Rd 19, 2021

The battle for top spot on the AFL ladder takes place at the MCG this Saturday night as the Melbourne Demons and Western Bulldogs face off in round 19’s biggest clash.

These teams faced off just eight weeks ago in round 11 at Marvel Stadium, where Simon Goodwin coached the Dees to a 28-point victory over Luke Beveridge and the Bulldogs.

Saturday’s clash at the MCG is bound to be a close contest, as most online bookmakers are providing very even odds which slightly favour the Dees.

Josh Dunkley made his return to the field in round 18 after missing 10 matches following shoulder surgery, but the star midfielder has been ruled out of this contest after visiting a Tier 1 COVID exposure site.

The Bulldogs will immediately bring back the managed Tom Liberatore to replace Dunkley, while the Demons could name an unchanged side despite their disappointing draw against Hawthorn.

Melbourne vs Western Bulldogs match preview

The Demons hit the Bulldogs hard in the first quarter of their round 11 bout, kicking six goals to just two from the Doggies. The Dees simply held their lead from quarter-time onwards, as the Bulldogs couldn’t pierce through their tight defensive duo of Steven May and Jake Lever.

No.1 draft pick Jamarra Ugle-Hagan adds another dimension to the Western Bulldogs forward line, which was already hard enough to handle with the trio of Aaron Naughton, Josh Bruce and Cody Weightman. All four Bulldogs forwards are capable of kicking multiple majors, making them excellent options to kick two or more goals this weekend.

MelbourneDemons

• Christian Salem
• Steven May
• Harrison Petty
• Michael Hibberd
• Jake Lever
• Trent Rivers
• James Jordon
• Christian Petracca
• Ed Langdon
• Bayley Fritsch
• Tom McDonald
• Alex Neal-Bullen
• Charlie Spargo
• Ben Brown
• Kysaiah Pickett
• Max Gawn
• Clayton Oliver
• Jack Viney
• James Harmes
• Luke Jackson
• Angus Brayshaw
• Jayden Hunt
• Toby Bedford (Emg)
• Tom Sparrow (Emg)
• Sam Weideman (Emg)
• Joel Smith (Emg)
• Coach: Simon Goodwin

WesternBulldogs

• Lachie Hunter
• Josh Bruce
• Jamarra Ugle-Hagan
• Cody Weightman
• Aaron Naughton
• Riley Garcia
• Caleb Daniel
• Bailey Smith
• Jackson Macrae
• Bailey Dale
• Zaine Cordy
• Taylor Duryea
• Bailey Williams
• Alex Keath
• Ed Richards
• Tim English
• Tom Liberatore
• Marcus Bontempelli
• Josh Schache
• Mitch Hannan
• Roarke Smith
• Jason Johannisen
• Lewis Young (Emg)
• Hayden Crozier (Emg)
• Anthony Scott (Emg)
• Lachlan McNeil (Emg)
• Coach: Luke Beveridge

Key matchup: Clayton Oliver vs Jack Macrae

We focused on Christian Petracca and Marcus Bontempelli when these clubs faced off earlier in the year, but we want to look at their partners-in-crime this week. Clayton Oliver and Jack Macrae are both prolific ball-winners, each averaging over 30 disposals per match this season. Macrae has passed that mark in all but one game this season, but the better value lies with Oliver. The Melbourne midfielder has gathered 30 or more touches in 11 matches this season, so we like his $1.62 odds to hit that number again this weekend.

Melbourne vs Western Bulldogs betting tips

Western Bulldogs to win by 1-24 points

We think the Bulldogs will get the important victory, but the Dees should do enough to keep the final margin inside four goals. The Dogs’ new-look forward line should overpower the Demons defence, as Aaron Naughton, Josh Bruce and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan are all capable of taking contested marks.

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan to kick 2+ goals

The nerves of playing AFL football will be out of Jamarra’s system this week as he lines up for his third senior match. The athletic forward showcased his beautiful set-shot routine on the Gold Coast last week, while his marking ability was also on display. The Demons defence cannot handle all three of the Bulldogs’ tall targets, and we think it will be Ugle-Hagan who gets off the chain this Saturday.

Same game multi: 3 legs @ $13

A close win to the Bulldogs will see them reclaim top position on the AFL ladder this Saturday. Clayton Oliver will put together another big performance in the middle for the Demons, while Jamarra Ugle-Hagan will thrive in his first match at the MCG. There is a lot of value in these three legs, which come together for a $13 return at Sportsbet.