The Western Bulldogs visit the Melbourne Cricket Ground this weekend to take on the Melbourne Demons in Round 22 of the Australian Football League Season. While the Bulldogs have dominated teams from outside the top eight this season, they have historically faltered at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The home side, the Demons, have hardly competed for the top eight this year and find themselves near the bottom of the table. Coach Simon Goodwin was sacked on Wednesday, with Troy Chaplin taking over in a caretaker capacity. The Demons kickoff the new era, hoping to get a much needed win against the Bulldogs and start an unlikely run for the finals. The odds are heavily in favor of the Western Bulldogs, despite their having won just three times in their last seven visits to the MCG since 2021.
Bet on Melbourne Demons vs. Western Bulldogs with Bet365
- Australian Rules Football: AFL 2025 Season, Round 22
- Where to watch: ESPN Africa, Supersport, Fox Sports US, TSN, OSN, TNT, Sky Television, Premier Sports, Australia Plus, BT Sport, OSN, TNT, Sky Television, Premier Sports, Kayo Sports, 7
- Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
- Date: 10.08.2025 15:15 (AEST)
Melbourne Demons
Troy Chaplin knows that the Demons can upset the Bulldogs and will likely position his players to get a victory here. Two wins from their last five outings saw the Melbourne Demons sack 2021 Premiership winning Coach Simon Goodwin in midweek. But a little tweaking can produce results, as Melbourne won their two home games in that period, comfortably beating West Coast and North Melbourne. An away victory over St Kilda could have happened, but the Demons ultimately lost 96-90. In their last meeting with the Bulldogs at the Cricket Ground, Melbourne ran away 109-64 winners in Round 1 of the 2024 season. Melbourne are down in 13th position and need to start picking up more points.
Melbourne Demons likely starting lineup
Bowey, McDonald, Rivers, Salem, Turner, Howes, Culley, Fritsch, Petracca, Sparrow, Langford, Chandler, Melkshem, van Rooyen, Pickett, Gawn, Viney, Langdon.
Bet on Melbourne Demons vs. Western Bulldogs with Bet365Western Bulldogs
The Bulldogs are in pretty good form heading to the MCG this Sunday, having won three of their last five games. Western Bulldogs smashed Essendon away before crushing Geelong 132-44 in their last game. The win was a much needed victory to help the Dogs keep in touch with the top eight. While the game against Melbourne Demons looks easy on paper, the Bulldogs must be wary of a side that defeated the reigning champions at their home. Bulldogs beat Melbourne last year in Round 21, claiming a 110-59 victory, although they have failed to beat the Demons at their home patch for a while, losing their last three games at the MCG. This looks like the best time to get that elusive one, with the Dogs scoring frequently and hitting over 100 in seven of the last nine games.
Western Bulldogs likely starting lineup
Bramble, Busslinger, O'Donnell, Cleary, Lobb, Johannisen, Baker, Richards, Dale, Sanders, Naughton, Kennedy, Poulter, Darcy, West, English, Bontempelli, Liberatore.
Betting
The Melbourne Bulldogs are 4.20 underdogs on Bet365. Over 198.5 is listed for 3.70 odds on 1xbet. Western Bulldogs to score over 101.5 points is 1.90 on Betway. Read more here.
Bet on Melbourne Demons vs. Western Bulldogs with Bet365
