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Luke Beveridge is confident he knows the way back to the AFL’s Promised Land.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Western Bulldogs 7.9.51
Melbourne Demons 15.10.100
A lacklustre Western Bulldogs host the rampaging Melbourne Demons. Join The Roar for live commentary and scores from 1:45pm (AEST).
No one can deny Melbourne’s last three weeks have been exceptional, with their latest outing a scarcely believable 91-point demolition of the Adelaide Crows.
They’re the definition of red-hot form, but the Demons outfit of old had a habit of dropping seemingly simple games.
The Western Bulldogs, however, are a thoroughly mediocre side this season. They’re 14th on the ladder, with a 4-5 record, but their last fortnight has been dreadful. They’ve booted 11 goals in their past two outings, compared to the Demons’ 48!
Honestly, the Dogs’ best hopes will be to dominate the midfield, hoping the excellent Jack Macrae leads them and continues his fine season, and for the Demons to fall into old habits at dropping an easy game. The first is a possibility, the second appears unlikely.
But, whatever advantage the Bulldogs produce in the midfield, the way to win footy games is to score, and they’re having difficulty doing just that: two goals against the Crows, and a meagre one major against the Pies last week in the second half.
Melbourne’s forward line is on fire, and it’s a genuine worry for the Bulldogs given their young defence.
The only changes for this week are the Bulldogs losing Zaine Cordy and Bailey Dale to injury, while gaining Mitch Honeychurch and Dale Morris.
Prediction
If the Bulldogs play at their best, I can see an entertaining game emerge. Play like the past two weeks, though, and the Demons will eviscerate them.
This’ll be a comfortable victory to an in-form Dees.
Melbourne by 39 points
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match from 1:10pm (AEST).
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