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Melbourne Demons vs Western Bulldogs AFL Round 22 Tips - Bulldogs fight to keep finals hopes alive in tricky encounter with Demons

Adam Cusworth

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Last updated: Thu 07 Aug 2025 10:51

Adam Cusworth 07 Aug 2025

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Melbourne Demons vs Western Bulldogs expert predictions for Sunday’s Round 22 AFL game
The game will be played at MCG, with the bounce at 3:20 PM (AEST)
Can the Bulldogs beat up on another bottom nine side?
Preview, expert analysis, stats, team news & best bet

Melbourne Demons vs Western Bulldogs AFL Round 22 Tips

Melbourne Demons vs Western Bulldogs, Round 22 2025 - Expert Prediction

Melbourne Demons vs Western Bulldogs, Round 22 2025 - Expert Prediction
Head to Head
Melbourne Demons Form Analysis & Betting Trends
Melbourne Demons Team News
Melbourne Demons Team List
Western Bulldogs Form Analysis & Betting Trends
Western Bulldogs Team News
Western Bulldogs Team List
Melbourne Demons vs Western Bulldogs AFL 2025 Round 22 FAQ’s

The Western Bulldogs will snare a vital win against Melbourne but there will be a few nervous moments.

The Bulldogs sit outside the top eight with three wins remaining and are in 9th spot with 12 wins on the board. They were on fire last weekend when handing 8th-placed GWS an 88-point loss.

They have steamrolled sides in the bottom half of the ladder this season and take on the Demons, who are 12th with a 7-13 record.

Melbourne bounced back from a disappointing collapse against St Kilda to overpower West Coast by 83-points last weekend, showing promising signs through midfield dominance and Bailey Fritsch’s form up forward.

While the Bulldogs hold a perfect 10-0 record against such teams in 2025, winning seven of those by 70+ points, Melbourne have pushed the better sides in recent times, defeating Brisbane and losing to Collingwood by a point, while they were within 19 points of Adelaide and the Gold Coast.

The Demons have claimed the past three encounters against the Bulldogs at the MCG but with Marcus Bontempelli and Tom Liberatore continuing to rack up big numbers and the twin towers of Aaron Naughton and Sam Darcy combining for ten goals last week, the Dogs will have enough in store. Take them in the 1-39 point range with Bontempelli providing a stack of influence. Kozzie Pickett looks a strong pick for multiple goals for the Demons in a game where the total points should hit the over.

All of Melbourne’s matches in 2025 against top nine sides have been decided by margins between 1-39 points.
The Demons have won the past three between the two sides at the MCG
Marcus Bontempelli has had 25+ in four of his past five, he had 24 in the other.
Kozzie Pickett has kicked 10 goals for the Dees from his past four matches against the Bulldogs

Head to Head

The two sides are yet to meet this season. The Bulldogs were 51 point winners back in Round 21 last season but Melbourne took out the two prior to that against the Bulldogs. Both of those games were at the MCG and the Demons have taken out the past three between the two sides at the venue.

Clayton OIiver has averaged a tick under 30 disposals from his past four matches against the Bulldogs, while Christian Petracca has averaged 28 from his past three. Marcus Bontempelli, Bailey Dale and Tom Liberatore have averaged over 25 for the Bulldogs from their past four against Melbourne. Kozzie Pickett has kicked 10 goals for the Dees from his past four.

Melbourne Demons Form Analysis & Betting Trends

Recent Form

Last 5 W/L	Last 5 ATS	Last 5 O/U
2-3	3-2	3-2

Melbourne have won two of their past four matches and threw away what looked to be a certain victory against St Kilda a fortnight ago before regrouping against West Coast.

In a number of their losses this season, they have cost themselves with inaccuracy in front of goals and registered more scoring shots against in losses to St Kilda, Collingwood and Carlton, while they had the same amount against Port Adelaide.

Melbourne dominated West Coast in the disposals, clearances and inside 50 count and five players had 25 or more disposals, while Bailey Fritsch capitalised up forward with four goals. Fritsch has kicked 12 from his past four matches.

2025 Betting Trends

ATS	Over/Under	1-39	40+
10-10	11-9	5-11	2-2

Melbourne Demons Team News

No injuries for Melbourne out of the West Coast match and the Demons are unlikely to make too many changes. Steven May is still a week away from suspension.

Melbourne Demons Team List

B: J.Bowey, T.McDonald, T.Rivers

HB: C.Salem, D.Turner, B.Howes

C: J.Culley, C.Petracca, T.Sparrow

HF: H.Langford, B.Fritsch, K.Chandler

F: J.Melksham, J.van Rooyen, K.Pickett

FOLL: M.Gawn - C, J.Viney, E.Langdon

I/C: J.McVee, C.Windsor, C.Oliver, M.Jefferson, J.Adams, T.Campbell, H.Sharp, H.Petty

In: - M.Jefferson, J.Adams, T.Campbell

Out: -

Western Bulldogs Form Analysis & Betting Trends

Recent Form

Last 5 W/L	Last 5 ATS	Last 5 O/U
3-2	2-3	3-2

The Bulldogs have beaten up on sides outside the top eight this season, notching a perfect record of 10 wins from as many matches. Seven of the past nine of those have been by 70 points or more.

They top the competition for points per game this season and have kicked over 100 points in seven of their past nine, while they had 98 against Adelaide in that period.

Aaron Naughton and Sam Darcy kicked five goals apiece last weekend. In the eight matches since Darcy returned from injury, Naughton has kicked goals, while Darcy has kicked 28.

The Bulldogs top the competition for disposals in the past five rounds. Marcus Bontempelli and Tom Liberatore both have over 25 in the match against the Giants. The ‘Bont’ has had 25+ in four of his past five, he had 24 in the other.

2025 Betting Trends

ATS	Over/Under	1-39	40+
10-10	13-7	4-8	8-0

Western Bulldogs Team News

The Bulldogs are unlikely to make too many changes to the side that dismantled GWS last weekend. There were no fresh injuries out of that match. James Harmes is one of a number with some solid VFL form that are looking to squeeze in.

Western Bulldogs Team List

B: L.Bramble, J.Busslinger, J.O’Donnell

HB: L.Cleary, R.Lobb, J.Johannisen

C: O.Baker, E.Richards, B.Dale

HF: R.Sanders, A.Naughton, M.Kennedy

F: C.Poulter, S.Darcy, R.West

FOLL: T.English, M.Bontempelli - C, T.Liberatore

I/C: S.Davidson, J.Dolan, J.Freijah, R.Garcia, B.Khamis, L.McNeil, L.Vandermeer, B.Williams

In: - S.Davidson, J.Dolan, B.Khamis

Out: -

Melbourne Demons vs Western Bulldogs AFL 2025 Round 22 FAQ’s

How to watch Melbourne Demons vs Western Bulldogs AFL 2025 Round 22?

You can watch the Melbourne Demons vs Western Bulldogs AFL 2025 Round 22 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 Western Bulldogs AFL 2025 Round 22?

To buy tickets to the Melbourne Demons vs Western Bulldogs AFL 2025 Round 22 game check the AFL website or the official Melbourne Demons site.

Verdict

Melbourne Demons v Western Bulldogs

Bulldogs but not by a massive margin this time. Total Points Over is in play, Bontempelli and Pickett influential for respective sides

Western Bulldogs 1-39

Margin

$2.20 - 1 Unit

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