This preview has expired.

See all our latest betting tips or suggested betting sites

Monday 1
Tuesday 2
Wednesday 3
Thursday 4
Friday 5
Saturday 6
Sunday 7
Monday 8
Tuesday 9
Wednesday 10
Thursday 11

West Coast Eagles vs Melbourne Demons AFL Tips - Dees to dominate Ruck on way to comfortable win

Ryan Tucker

Editor

Last updated: Thu 01 May 2025 12:55

Ryan Tucker 01 May 2025

Share this article

West Coast Eagles vs Melbourne Demons expert predictions for Saturday’s Round 8 AFL game
The game will be played at Optus Stadium, with the bounce at 7:35 PM (AEST)
Melbourne Demons expected to overpower the Eagles with ruck and midfield dominance.
Eagles struggled in previous matches against top ruck teams, losing key hitouts and clearances.
Chance for Demons to improve on skill errors and discipline; Kade Chandler favored for multiple goals.

Top picks for West Coast Eagles v Melbourne Demons

West Coast Eagles vs Melbourne Demons, Round 8 2025 - Expert Prediction

The Demons will demolish the Eagles this Saturday and it will come off the back of the domination of the ruck and midfield.

Last week the Eagles were humbled through the middle with Hawthorn winning the hitouts 60-37. Now West Coast will have to face the Demons and Max Gawn who are ranked 3rd in the league in Ruck win percentage and Hitouts to Advantage.

Against other top ranked Ruck teams earlier in the season West Coast have struggled to be the team to dictate terms being second to the ball against Gold Coast, Fremantle and now Hawthorn.

Whilst the Demons still have some issues to work out around simple skill errors and discipline, this game presents them with a chance to really stretch their legs and find the spark that has been missing to start the year.

My expectation for this game is that Melbourne will win the majority of the stoppages, both the hitouts and the clearances which will put them on the front foot. West Coast will fight valiantly early as they have done for most of the year but the game will run away from them in the end.

Melbourne to win and cover the line with the Game Total going Over. Kade Chandler is great odds to kick another double and could go for more!

Melbourne have won 4 of the last 5 vs West Coast with an average win margin of 50pts.
The Over has hit in 3 straight between these teams and in 4 of the last 5.
The West Coast Eagles have allowed a player to kick 3 or more goals in all of their games this season.
Chandler has kicked multiple goals in 3 of the 4 games he has scored in.

Head to Head

These teams split the difference last year 1-1 in the two games played. Each team won on their home turf with the Demons having the larger margin of victory.

Since the start of the 2019 season the ledger sits at 4-4 with 5 of 8 games going Over the Game Total.

The winning margin has been 40+ in 3 of the last 4 games but in only 3 of the last 8.

West Coast Eagles Form Analysis & Betting Trends

Recent Form

Last 5 W/L	Last 5 ATS	Last 5 O/U
0-5	2-3	3-2

West Coast are still searching for their first win of the season after getting their asses handed to them by Hawthorn last weekend.

The Eagles lost by 50 points, 124-74 despite their opponents kicking 16 behinds in the contest. The defeat is the teams 9th straight dating back to Round 23 last year and continues a tough period for the once consistent team having won just 5 of 30 games since the start of the 2024 season.

West Coast were completely dominated in the Ruck losing hitouts 60-37 while their opposition also controlled the majority of stoppages. The turnovers were rampant in the first half which set them up for failure from the outset. They managed just 6 marks inside 50 despite having a total of 50 entries.

2025 Betting Trends

ATS	Over/Under	1-39	40+
3-4	4-3	0-3	0-4

West Coast Eagles Team News

Tim Kelly is likely to return from a toe injury that he had been playing through earlier in the season. No other major injury news.

West Coast Eagles Team List

B: R.Maric, J.McGovern, B.Hough

HB: T.Cole, R.Ginbey, L.Baker

C: J.Cripps, H.Reid, J.Hunt

HF: J.Graham, J.Waterman, M.Owies

F: L.Ryan, O.Allen - C, A.Reid

FOLL: M.Flynn, L.Duggan, T.Kelly

I/C: E.Hewett, T.Brockman, J.Williams, B.Allan, J.Hutchinson

EMG: TBA

In: T.Kelly, B.Allan, T.Brockman

Out: H.Davis, T.Dewar, N.Long (all omitted)

Melbourne Demons Form Analysis & Betting Trends

Recent Form

Last 5 W/L	Last 5 ATS	Last 5 O/U
2-3	1-4	2-3

Melbourne secured their second straight win last weekend against the Richmond Tigers with an 83-63 scoreline at the MCG.

After a tough start to the 2025 season the Dees got their first win against the Dockers two weeks ago but looked to have slipped back into the doldrums in the first half against the Tigers with skill errors, bad discipline and poor choices costing them across the park.

After the main break they turned things around off the back of star ruck Max Gawn who had 25 disposals, 34 hitouts, 9 marks and 6 clearances earning himself a second consecutive Checker Hughes Medal as best on ground on ANZAC Day eve.

Melbourne rank 3rd in Ruck Win % and Hitouts to advantage.

2025 Betting Trends

ATS	Over/Under	1-39	40+
2-5	3-4	2-3	0-2

Melbourne Demons Team News

Daniel Turner will need to complete concussion protocols to be eligible for selection. Jake Melsham will return from a leg injury that kept him out of the win over the Tigers.

Melbourne Demons Team List

B: J.Bowey, S.May, C.Salem

HB: C.Windsor, T.McDonald, J.McVee

C: K.Chandler, J.Viney, E.Langdon

HF: T.Sparrow, D.Turner, K.Pickett

F: K.Tholstrup, B.Fritsch, C.Spargo

FOLL: M.Gawn - C, C.Petracca, H.Langford

I/C: J.Melksham, X.Lindsay, T.Rivers, H.Sharp, H.Petty

EMG: TBA

IN: J.Melksham, D.Turner

OUT: C.Oliver (personal), T.Fullarton (omitted)

West Coast Eagles vs Melbourne Demons AFL 2025 Round 8 FAQ’s

How to watch West Coast Eagles vs Melbourne Demons AFL 2025 Round 8?

You can watch the West Coast Eagles vs Melbourne Demons AFL 2025 Round 8 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 West Coast Eagles vs Melbourne Demons AFL 2025 Round 8?

To buy tickets to the West Coast Eagles vs Melbourne Demons AFL 2025 Round 8 game check the AFL website or the official West Coast Eagles site.

Verdict

West Coast v Melbourne

Melbourne to win and cover the line with the Game Total going Over. Kade Chandler is great odds to kick another double and could go for more!

Melbourne -15.5

Line

$1.95 - 2 Units

Use Easyform

The Ultimate Form Guide

18+ only. Gamble Responsibly. T&Cs apply

Bet at Playup

Over 161.5

Game Total

$1.90 - 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.

Bet at dabble

K Chandler 2+

Goals

$3.20 - 1 Unit

Take it to the Neds Level

The Neds.com.au code is BLACKBOOK. 18+ only. T&Cs apply. WHAT'S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit.

Bet at Neds

K Chandler 3+

Goals

$9.50 - 1 Unit

Same Game & Race Multis

Use affiliate code BETSAU