- Friday 23
- Saturday 24
- Sunday 25
- Monday 26
- Tuesday 27
- Wednesday 28
- Thursday 29
- Friday 30
- Saturday 31
- Sunday 1
- Monday 2
Melbourne Demons vs Geelong Cats AFL Round 20 Tips - Demons to edge injury-hit Cats
The Melbourne Demons are in form heading into AFL Round 20, winning five of their last six and remaining unbeaten at the MCG this season. With Geelong missing key players and struggling with injuries, experts tip the Demons (1-39 margin) as the likely winners. Low scoring is expected, making Under 176.5 a promising bet. Latrelle Pickett is tipped for at least one goal, while Kysaiah Pickett is forecast to play a crucial midfield role. The main recommendation: Melbourne to win and keep the MCG streak alive.
- Melbourne Demons are unbeaten at the MCG and in strong form.
- Geelong Cats face mounting injuries and lost a key player last week.
- Tip: Demons 1-39 margin; lower total score; Pickett cousins crucial.
- The game will be played at the MCG on Friday, 24th July, with the bounce at 7:40 PM (AEST).
Melbourne Demons vs Geelong Cats AFL Round 20 Tips
Melbourne Demons vs Geelong Cats AFL Round 20 Tips - Demons to edge injury-hit Cats
Melbourne has hit form at the right time and looks well placed to beat an injury-hit Geelong side at the MCG.
- Melbourne Demons vs Geelong Cats AFL Round 20 Tips - Demons to edge injury-hit Cats
- Key Points
- Melbourne Demons vs Geelong Cats Head-to-Head
- Melbourne Demons Form
- Geelong Cats Form
- Melbourne Demons vs Geelong Cats Team List & Team News
- Melbourne Demons vs Geelong Cats AFL 2026 Round 20 FAQs
The Demons have won five of their past six matches and remain unbeaten at the venue this season, making the 1-39 winning margin the best result play.
The model numbers lean towards Geelong, but Melbourne’s recent form and home advantage carry more weight here. The Demons are averaging 97.0 points while conceding just 72.0 across their past five matches, with four wins during that stretch and an average margin of +25.0 points.
A lower-scoring game also appeals despite both teams possessing dangerous forward lines. Six of Melbourne’s past eight matches have gone under the game total, with the Demons holding opponents to an average of 72.5 points across their past six games. Geelong is also missing key attacking and running pieces, which should make it harder for the Cats to generate a winning score.
Latrelle Pickett has become a reliable scoring option in Melbourne’s forward half. He has kicked six goals across his past five matches and has scored at least once in four of those games, including two goals against North Melbourne last week.
Kysaiah Pickett should also be heavily involved through the midfield. He is averaging 24.5 disposals across his past five matches and produced 29 touches against North Melbourne. He tends to rise for major games, and Melbourne will need his speed and creativity against one of the biggest clubs in the competition.
Key Points
- Melbourne has won five of its past six matches.
- Six of Melbourne’s past eight matches have gone under the game total.
- Melbourne has conceded an average of 72.5 points across its past six games.
- Latrelle Pickett has kicked six goals across his past five matches.
Melbourne Demons vs Geelong Cats Head-to-Head
The Melbourne Demons and Geelong Cats have split their past 10 meetings with five wins each. Geelong won last season’s clash by 39 points, but Melbourne claimed an eight-point victory at the MCG in 2024. Recent meetings have generally been controlled and tactical, with four of the past six producing fewer than 160 total points.
Melbourne Demons Form
Melbourne enters Round 20 sitting sixth with a 12-6 record and sixth in the Premiership odds race after winning five of its past six matches. The Demons have averaged 97.0 points while conceding only 72.0 across their past five games, producing an average winning margin of 25.0 points.
Their defensive profile has been particularly impressive. Melbourne has restricted opponents through pressure around the ball and strong intercept work behind it, while Max Gawn continues to give the midfield first use. The Demons also remain undefeated at the MCG this season with nine wins from nine matches.
Their forward structure is beginning to look more dangerous as well. Matthew Jefferson kicked four goals against North Melbourne, Jacob van Rooyen continues to provide a strong target, and the Pickett cousins offer speed and creativity around ground level.
Geelong Cats Form
Geelong comes into Round 20 sitting ninth with a 10-8 record after snapping a three-game losing streak against St Kilda. The Cats have averaged 94.2 points while conceding 88.6 across their past five matches, although their recent results have been inconsistent.
The 27-point win over St Kilda was a welcome response, with Bailey Smith collecting 35 disposals and Gryan Miers returning strongly with three goals and 22 touches. Geelong looked far more dangerous with Miers back in the forward mix, but the victory came at a significant cost with the loss of Max Holmes.
The Cats still possess plenty of midfield quality through Smith, Tom Atkins and James Worpel, but their growing injury list makes this a difficult assignment at the MCG.
Melbourne Demons vs Geelong Cats Team List & Team News
Melbourne: The Demons have made five changes after losing Changkuoth Jiath, Dan Turner and Caleb Windsor through injury. Jake Melksham and Max Heath have also been omitted, with Harry Petty, Tom McDonald, Bailey Laurie, Paddy Cross and Lachie Cooke coming into the side.
Geelong: Mark Blicavs and Tanner Bruhn return for the Cats, but Max Holmes is unavailable after suffering a leg injury last weekend. Ollie Henry has been managed as Geelong looks to maintain its push for a top-four finish.
| Melbourne | POS | Geelong Cats |
|---|---|---|
| J. Bowey, J. Lever, L. Cooke | B | T. Stewart, C. O'Sullivan, S. De Koning |
| T. Rivers, H. Petty, B. Howes | HB | Z. Guthrie, J. Henry, L. Humphries |
| E. Langdon, T. Sparrow, H. Langford | C | O. Dempsey, B. Smith, M. Blicavs |
| B. Laurie, K. Chandler, H. Sharp | HF | G. Miers, S. Mannagh, B. Close |
| L. Pickett, J. van Rooyen, M. Jefferson | F | P. Dangerfield, S. Neale, J. Polkinghorne |
| M. Gawn, J. Steele, K. Pickett | FOLL | M. Edwards, T. Atkins, O. Mullin |
| K. Tholstrup, T. McDonald, B. Fritsch, P. Cross, J. Fitzgerald | I/C | M. O'Connor, J. Clark, T. Bruhn, O. Wiltshire, J. Worpel |
Melbourne Demons vs Geelong Cats AFL 2026 Round 20 FAQs
- How can I watch Melbourne Demons vs Geelong Cats AFL 2026 Round 20?
You can watch the Melbourne Demons vs Geelong Cats AFL 2026 Round 20 game via Fox Footy or Kayo Sports. If you are watching from outside Australia, the Watch AFL service is the best option for live and on-demand coverage.
- How can I buy tickets for Melbourne Demons vs Geelong Cats AFL 2026 Round 20?
To buy tickets for the Melbourne Demons vs Geelong Cats AFL 2026 Round 20 game, check the official AFL website or the official Melbourne Demons website.
Verdict
Melbourne’s strong form, unbeaten MCG record and Geelong’s growing injury list make the Demons 1-39 winning margin the best result bet. The Under 176.5 also appeals given Melbourne’s defensive record, while Latrelle Pickett can kick at least one goal and Kysaiah Pickett looks capable of reaching 25 or more disposals in another major contest.
Melbourne Demons
1-39 Winning Margin
$2.40 - 1 Unit
Take it to the Neds Level
Register with code BLACKBOOK
The Neds.com.au code is BLACKBOOK. 18+ only. T&Cs apply. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? Set a deposit limit.
Under 176.5
Game Total
$1.91 - 3 Units
Same Game & Race Multis
Use affiliate code BETSAU
Exciting new betting app now live. Use code BETSAU on sign-up. 18+ only. T&Cs apply. Imagine what you could be buying instead.
Latrelle Picket
1+ Goal
$1.72 - 3 Units
Download the dabble app
with referral code BETSAU
Download the dabble app, enter referral code BETSAU to enjoy Dabble, the betting app with a difference! Bet as normal with & also be part of Australia's betting community where you can follow punters and sports stars, copy their bets, have banter with your mates & watch Sky Racing channels. 18+. T&Cs apply. What are you prepared to lose today? Set a deposit limit.
Kysaiah Pickett
25+ Disposals
$1.87 - 2 Units
Download the dabble app
with referral code BETSAU
Download the dabble app, enter referral code BETSAU to enjoy Dabble, the betting app with a difference! Bet as normal with & also be part of Australia's betting community where you can follow punters and sports stars, copy their bets, have banter with your mates & watch Sky Racing channels. 18+. T&Cs apply. What are you prepared to lose today? Set a deposit limit.
Related
Top Betting Sites
Betting offers
Upcoming Events
23 October 2026
- Premier League Matchday 8 -
- Soccer
24 October 2026
- Randwick - October 24 -
- Horse Racing
- Eagle Farm - October 24 -
- Horse Racing
- Flemington- October 24 -
- Horse Racing
- Saturday Roughies - October 24 -
- Horse Racing
- Mornington - October 24 -
- Horse Racing
- Ascot - October 24 -
- Horse Racing
- Cox Plate -
- Horse Racing
- Spring Champion Stakes -
- Horse Racing
- Newcastle Jets v Macarthur FC -
- Soccer
- Papua New Guinea vs Samoa -
- Rugby League
- Supercars Gold Coast 500 -
- Motor Sport
- WS Wanderers vs Auckland FC -
- Soccer
- Illawarra Hawks vs Brisbane Bullets -
- Basketball
- England vs France -
- Rugby League
- SE Melbourne Phoenix vs Adelaide 36ers -
- Basketball
- Melbourne Victory v Melbourne City -
- Soccer
25 October 2026
- Wellington Phoenix v Central Coast Mariners -
- Soccer
- Sydney FC v Adelaide United -
- Soccer
- Coonabarabran - October 25 -
- Horse Racing
- Sale - October 25 -
- Horse Racing
- New Zealand vs Cook Islands -
- Rugby League
- Australia vs Fiji -
- Rugby League
- Cairns Taipans vs New Zealand Breakers -
- Basketball
Load More
