Sunday afternoon football continues at the MCG as the red-hot Hawks will be looking to cause another upset when they take on Melbourne at the MCG. Melbourne will be looking to secure a top four spot, so there’s plenty on the line in this clash!
AFL Round 23 Preview & Betting Tips
Melbourne vs Hawthorn
Sunday 3:20pm AEST, August 20th, MCG
For the second week in a row Hawthorn knocked off a top eight team, with a thrilling three point win over the Bulldogs in Launceston last week. The Hawks were dominant through the midfield led by Jai Newcombe’s 40 disposals, as the Hawks won the disposal count by 121.
Melbourne lost a thriller against Carlton in controversial circumstances to end their five game winning streak. After kicking scores of 105, 97, 130 and 103 in the previous four weeks, the Dees were held to just 56 points by a brave Carlton defence. Melbourne converted 16% of their inside 50’s to goals against Carlton, with their lowest conversion in the four weeks preceding last week being 21%.
Brodie Grundy finds himself out of the side once again, alongside James Jordan and Michael Hibbard who have also been omitted. Bailey Laurie and Adam Tomlinson return to the side looking to make their claim for a spot come finals time.
It’s been a tough week for the Hawks on the injury front with Chad Wingard suffering a serious achilles injury and Mitch Lewis out with a foot injury. Ned Long and Max Ramsden come into the 22, however it’s going to be a big challenge for the Hawks without their two most dangerous forwards.
Although much has been made around Hawthorn’s performances in the midfield across the last fortnight, it’s a big step up against the Demons. Melbourne are the number one contested possession side in the competition, second for inside 50’s, fifth in centre clearances and seventh in total clearances.
To go with their star midfield is the best ruckman in the competition in Max Gawn, who has led Melbourne’s resurgence over the last five weeks with not only his ruck work, but his ability to control marking contests down the line.
If Melbourne can win the territory territory battle through their midfield, they’re going to give their forwards repeat opportunities against an inexperienced defence that has conceded some big scores this season. The Hawks rank sixteenth in the competition for points against this season.
The Demons Semi Final victory over the Hawks in 2018 turned the tide of what had been a one sided affair in the favour of Hawthorn. In their last seven games against the Hawks, Melbourne have won six and drawn one. Those six wins have come by an average margin of 32 points, with four of the six wins coming by margins over 33 points.
Melbourne -26.5
$1.88 (1.5 Units)
Same Game Multi
The easiest way to place your Same Game Multi is to click on the BoomBet BetShare button below! This will add our SGM selections straight into your BoomBet bet slip! You can then enter how much you wish to wager and with one click, your bet has been placed!
Jai Newcombe 25+ Disposals: Jai Newcombe has been in red hot form over the last six weeks, averaging 29 disposals per game. Newcombe has attended 70% off centre bounces this season, the most of any Hawthorn player.
Jack Viney 25+ Disposals: Viney’s 31 disposals against Carlton last week continued a nine game streak with 25 or more disposals. Viney has hit the 30 disposal mark in two of his last three games against the Hawks, averaging 28 disposals over that three game run.
Lachie Hunter 20+ Disposals: Lachie Hunter has produced one of the most underrated seasons in the competition, averaging 22 disposals per game. Hunter has hit the 20+ disposal mark in 17 of his 20 games this season.
