We take a look at Friday nights (17/5/2019) AFL Week 9 match which is between the West Coast Eagles and the Melbourne Demons. View the odds and teams for both sides as well as our Tips and Bets for the match.
When: Friday May 17, 8:10pm
Where: Optus Stadium
Bet ?: Bet On This Match HERE
Preview:
Sometimes an entire season can come down to a game, but a point? That might mean the difference between finals or an early holiday for the Demons this year.
Melbourne trailed by six points late in the fourth quarter against the Suns last week, right before Marty Hore levelled the scores with less than two minutes remaining. The Dees won the ensuing center clearance to give themselves one last chance – an opportunity Tom McDonald didn’t pass up by bouncing one into the post for the game-winning behind.
Things weren’t quite so nerve-wracking for the Eagles last week as they escaped Marvel with an 18-point win over the Saints. Jamie Cripps and Josh Kennedy combined for a four-goal bag lifting West Coast from 10th to seventh on the ladder.
Suddenly this game looks intriguing for both parties with plenty of implications on the line.
The Eagles will hold fond memories of their 66-point defeat over the Demons in last year’s Prelim Final, but keep in mind, Melbourne walked away with a 17-point defeat of their own in Perth only three weeks’ prior.
Unfortunately, injuries to Michael Hibberd, Jordan Lewis and Jake Melksham make this year’s trip West even more difficult.
For the Eagles to win, they simply need to stick with what works. Kennedy booted four goals during last year’s Prelim, which spells bad news for a club like Melbourne that has allowed the sixth-most inside 50’s and the most goals scored defensively.
There’s a big line set for this game, and with a 6-6 record as the home favourite over the last 12 months, you can’t back West Coast to cover it. Instead, stick with the margin – in their three home wins this year, the Eagles have won by an average of 29 points.
Odds:
Tip: West Coast Eagles at $1.25
Value Tip: First Goal Scorer: Jack Darling at $9.00
Teams:
EAGLES
B: Hurn, Schofield, Sheppard
HB: Duggan, McGovern, Jetta
C: Redden, Shuey, Sheed
HF: Venables, Darling, Rioli
F: Ryan, Kennedy, Cripps
FOLL: Vardy, Yeo, Gaff
I/C: O. Allen, Petruccelle, Cole, Hutchings
EMG: Waterman, Hickey, Nelson, Smith
IN: Rioli
OUT: Waterman (Omitted)
MELBOURNE
B: Hore, Frost, Hunt
HB: Jones, McDonald, Salem
C: Brayshaw, Viney, Stretch
HF: Lockhart, McDonald, Neal-Bullen
F: Garlett, Petracca, Smith
FOLL: Gawn, Harmes, Oliver
I/C: Fritsch, Baker, Petty, J. Wagner
EMG: Preuss, Sparrow, Chandler, C. Wagner
IN: Neal-Bullen, Smith, Baker, Petty
OUT: Keilty (Omitted), Hibberd (Injured), Melksham (Injured), Lewis (Injured)
*Odds correct at time of posting. Subject to change
