AFL Round 20 kicks off on Friday night with a blockbuster clash between the Dockers and the Demons at Optus Stadium. Find our best spread and player prop bets for the match right here!
Remember, Before You Bet will be previewing every game of the 2022 AFL season, so be sure to check out our AFL Tips page for regular updates.
Fremantle vs Melbourne Betting Tips
Optus Stadium, Friday 29th July, 8:10pm (AEST)
Fremantle Dockers
Injuries: Jye Amiss, Connor Blakely, Nat Fyfe, Joel Hamling, Sebit Kuek, Rory Lobb, Sam Switkowski
Fremantle have a bunch of key players on their mid-week injury list, but there are no timetables for returns for any of them at this stage. Nat Fyfe picked up a hamstring injury last weekend and would be unlikely to play this weekend, while Rory Lobb faces a test to prove his fitness to take on the Demons.
The Dockers would consider themselves extremely lucky to have taken home a couple of points from their most recent outing. The Tigers had a number of chances late in the piece to put the Dockers away, but somehow managed to register a go-ahead score. Although the Dockers managed to avoid defeat last weekend, they’ve now only picked up two wins from their last five matches, which has seen them drop out of the four.
Melbourne Demons
Injuries: Ben Brown, Jake Lever, Tom McDonald, Fraser Rosman, Deakyn Smith, Joel Smith
Melbourne also have some key players unavailable to play this weekend, most notably Ben Brown and Tom McDonald who are battling knee and ankle injuries respectively. Jake Lever is under an injury cloud just as he was last weekend, and you’d expect him to push through and play in this pivotal match.
The Demons were fast starters in last weekend’s Grand Final rematch, kicking six majors in the opening turn. However, the Doggies found their feet after the first break and finished off the game as the superior team and handed the Demons a 10-point loss. The Demons have now lost five of their last eight matches and all five losses have come against teams in the top eight. Needless to say, they desperately need to find some of their better form in the remaining home and away fixtures.
Match Prediction
A top four spot is on offer for the winner of this one, while the loser’s chances of a double-chance in the finals will drastically decrease. The Dockers handed the Demons their first defeat of the season back in Round 11, which was the start of a massive form slump for the reigning premiers who have gone onto lose four of their last seven matches since.
Like most, I see this match as a genuine pick ‘em and won’t be playing the head-to-head market as a result. Instead, I’m eyeing off a decent play at the unders in the total points market, which just looks to be too high when you consider the #1 and #2 ranked defences are locking horns. With so much to play for and so much talent behind the ball for both clubs, I’m happy to be on the unders for two units to kick off the weekend.
Under 144.5 Points
$1.90 (2 Units)
Prop Bets
Blake Acres has had one of his best seasons in the AFL and has developed some fantastic consistency. He’s had 20+ disposals in nine of his last 13 outings and remains around even money to reach that mark on Friday night.
Blake Acres 20+ Disposals ($1.83 at Ladbrokes)
I’m not massive on goal scorers in this game, but one that I do like the odds of is Michael Walters. The mercurial forward has kicked at least one goal in six of his last eight matches and is still good value.
Michael Walters Anytime Goal Scorer ($1.70 at Ladbrokes)
Andrew Brayshaw has been heavily tagged over the past month but comes up against a Melbourne outfit that are one of only five teams yet to tag someone this season. I expect him to get back to his accumulating best and to be a chance to crack 35+ touches at odds.
Andrew Brayshaw 35+ Disposals ($3.45 at Ladbrokes)
