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Melbourne Demons vs West Coast Eagles AFL Round 9 Tips - 40+ trend continues for Melbourne

jeremy-darke
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Last updated: Thu 07 May 2026 11:41

Expert analysis for Round 9 of the 2026 AFL season suggests the Melbourne Demons will win comfortably over the West Coast Eagles, with a recommended bet on Melbourne covering the -42.5 line. The Demons’ strong midfield and forward pressure should overwhelm a West Coast side conceding big scores—over 124 points per game in recent matches. Melbourne has already beaten the Eagles handily in recent encounters. Expect Bailey Fritsch to be a significant contributor, and look for West Coast to score under 76.5 points. Back Melbourne for a big win.

Jeremy Darke 07 May 2026
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  • The game will be played at Marvel Stadium on Sunday, 10th May, with the bounce at 1:10 PM (AEST)
  • Melbourne Demons predicted to cover -42.5 point line vs West Coast.
  • West Coast likely to score under 76.5 points and continue defensive struggles.
  • Bailey Fritsch expected to kick 3+ goals for Demons.
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Melbourne Demons vs West Coast Eagles AFL Round 9 Tips
Melbourne Demons vs West Coast Eagles AFL Round 9 Tips

Melbourne Demons vs West Coast Eagles, Round 9 2026 - Expert Prediction


Melbourne should win this comfortably and the -42.5 line is the bet. The Demons have had a couple of uneven weeks, but this is the type of matchup where their midfield and forward-half pressure should overwhelm a West Coast side that is still leaking big scores.
The Eagles showed more fight against Richmond, but losing at home to the previously winless Tigers says plenty about where they are at. Before that, West Coast had been hammered by St Kilda, Fremantle, Geelong and Sydney, and they are conceding 124.8 points per game across their last five.

Melbourne, meanwhile, are averaging 104.2 points in that same stretch and have already beaten the Eagles by 83, 54, 63 and 32 points in four of the last five meetings.

The model has Melbourne by 49.1 points, which gives enough room beyond the market line. Even with Brody Mihocek sidelined, the Demons have enough options through Bayley Fritsch, Jacob van Rooyen, Kysaiah Pickett and Max Gawn to find a winning score.

The West Coast under 76.5 is also in play, scoring over this mark just the once against Richmond since Round 2 this season.

  • Melbourne has covered the 42.5-point line in 4 of their last 5 wins vs West Coast.
  • The Eagles have lost by 46 points or more in 4 of their last 5 matches.
  • West Coast have scored under 76.5 points in 4 of their last 5 matches.
  • Bailey Fritsch has kicked an average of 3 goals in his last 5 matches against West Coast.

Head to Head


Melbourne have dominated this fixture in recent seasons. The Demons won by 83 points last year, 32 points earlier in 2025, 54 points in 2024 and 63 points in 2023. West Coast’s only recent win in this matchup came in 2024, but most of the recent meetings have been one-way traffic once Melbourne have controlled the contest around the ball.

Melbourne Demons Form Analysis


Melbourne were beaten by Sydney last week in a high-scoring 17-point loss, but there was still plenty to like. They kicked 114 points, won the clearance count and pushed the ladder-leading Swans late despite losing Brody Mihocek early to a hamstring injury.

The forward structure will need a reshuffle, but Melbourne have enough scoring depth to cover it. Gawn spent time forward against Sydney, Pickett was dangerous, and van Rooyen remains an important target. Against a West Coast defence giving up huge scores, the Demons should get plenty of repeat chances.

West Coast Eagles Form Analysis


West Coast’s narrow loss to Richmond was more competitive than recent weeks, but it was still a damaging result. The Eagles had the chance to close out a home win against the bottom side and conceded late goals in a match they should have pinched.

Harley Reid and Tim Kelly gave them plenty through the middle, while Jake Waterman remains their most reliable forward target. The issue is still defensive resistance. West Coast have been opened up far too easily this season and now face a Melbourne side that should dominate hit-outs, inside 50s and contested possession.

Melbourne Demons vs West Coast Eagles Team List & News


Melbourne Team News: Brody Mihocek is sidelined with a hamstring injury, opening the door for Jake Bowey, Jake Adams, Luker Kentfield and Andy Moniz-Wakefield to join the extended squad.

West Coast Team News: Elijah Hewett has been omitted, while Harry Edwards, Jack Williams and Hamish Johnston are among six inclusions.

MelbournePOSWest Coast Eagles
D. Turner, J. Lever, B. HowesBL. Duggan, H. Edwards, R. Ginbey
C. Windsor, H. Petty, C. JiathHBB. Hough, T. Young, L. Baker
K. Tholstrup, T. Sparrow, H. SharpCT. McCarthy, E. Yeo, R. Maric
E. Langdon, M. Jefferson, K. PickettHFM. Murdock, J. Shanahan, W. Duursma
L. Pickett, J. van Rooyen, B. FritschFM. Champion, J. Waterman, C. Duff-Tytler
M. Gawn, J. Steele, K. ChandlerFOLLB. Williams, H. Reid, T. Kelly
H. Langford, B. Laurie, J. Bowey, J. Adams, L. Kentfield, A. Moniz-Wakefield, M. HeathI/CJ. Lindsay, H. Johnston, B. Allan, T. Cole, H. Davis, J. Hutchinson, C. Hall

Melbourne Demons vs West Coast Eagles AFL 2026 Round 9 FAQ’s

How to watch Melbourne Demons vs West Coast Eagles AFL 2026 Round 9?

You can watch the Melbourne Demons vs West Coast Eagles AFL 2026 Round 9 game via Fox Sports or Kayo Sports. If you are watching from outside of Australia the WatchAFL app is the perfect solution.

How to buy tickets to Melbourne Demons vs West Coast Eagles AFL 2026 Round 9?

To buy tickets to the Melbourne Demons vs West Coast Eagles AFL 2026 Round 9 game check the AFL website or the official Melbourne Demons site.

Verdict

Take Melbourne to cover with the Eagles scoring less than 76.5 points. Bailey Fritsch will kick 3+ for the Demons.
Best Bet1: Melbourne -42.5 Handicap/Line $1.91 at Teambet - 3 Units
Best Bet2: West Coast Under 76.5 Team Total $1.91 at Elitebet - 2 Units
Best Bet3: Bailey Fritsch 3+ Goals $2.20 at dabble - 2 Units
Melbourne -42.5
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$1.91 - 3 Units
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