Round 17 in the AFL begins on Thursday night with a match at Marvel Stadium between North Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs. The Kangaroos are coming off an embarrassing defeat against the Hawks in Tasmania, while the Bulldogs are fresh off a spirited win in Sydney against the Swans
We bring you our full preview and expert tips for the Kangaroos vs Bulldogs below, with odds thanks to Dabble!
North Melbourne vs Western Bulldogs Prediction & Betting Tips: AFL 2025 Round 17
100th Anniversary for North
Thursday night football kicks off Round 17 with a significant occasion for North Melbourne, as the club celebrates its 100th year anniversary. After showing promising signs of improvement in recent weeks, the Kangaroos took a significant step backward last weekend, enduring a crushing 85-point defeat at the hands of Hawthorn. The heavy loss was compounded by a string of injuries, forcing the club to make five changes at selection for this crucial anniversary game. Despite the setback, the Kangaroos will be desperate to put on a more competitive display in front of their home fans at Marvel Stadium, aiming to honour their rich history with a spirited performance against a formidable opponent.
Bulldogs Firepower is Impressive
In contrast, the Western Bulldogs arrive in superb form, having strung together three consecutive victories. Their most recent triumph was a gritty away win against Sydney at the SCG, a testament to their growing resilience and belief. Young gun Joel Freijah was a standout performer in that clash, booting an impressive four goals to underscore his burgeoning talent. Currently sitting 7th on the AFL ladder, the Bulldogs have a golden opportunity to climb into the top four with a win tonight, which would significantly bolster their finals aspirations.
Key Stats to Consider
Delving into advanced statistics, the Bulldogs are elite across several key metrics. They rank 1st in the competition for uncontested possessions differential and 2nd for clearances differential. Furthermore, they lead the league by far in Scores from Stoppages differential and are ranked 2nd in inside 50s differential. North Melbourne, meanwhile, finds itself in the bottom half of the league for all these categories, with the exception of clearances differential where they’re quite strong. Historically, the Bulldogs have held a significant advantage over the Kangaroos, having won their last eight encounters by an imposing average margin of 53 points.
Here’s Our North Melbourne vs Western Bulldogs Tip
Considering the recent form and statistical disparities, the Western Bulldogs are strongly tipped to go over their total points line of 110.5 points. North Melbourne's defensive frailties were starkly exposed last weekend, conceding a massive 150 points to the Hawks. The Bulldogs, by far the highest-scoring team in the competition with an average of 105 points per game, are perfectly positioned to exploit these weaknesses. With the perfect conditions of Marvel Stadium under the roof, the Bulldogs' potent forward line and midfield dominance should allow them to control the game and pile on a significant score against a struggling Kangaroos outfit.
Bulldogs Total Points Over 110.5
$1.85 (2 Units)
Kangaroos vs Bulldogs Prop Bet
Our Best Player Prop Bet: Naughton 3+ Goals
Aaron Naughton has benefitted from the return of Darcy from injury and is coming off one of his best games of the season. Naughton kicked three goals against the Swans and has now had seven bags of three for the season. The Kangaroos are one of the worst defensive teams in the competition and their key backs continually get heavily scored on. This bodes well for Naughton who will be high on confidence after last week’s effort.
Aaron Naughton 3+ Goals
$2.90 (1 Unit)
Kangaroos vs Bulldogs Same Game Multi
Sam Darcy 3+ Goals: Darcy should have a field day here He’s kicked 3, 5, and 3 goals over the past three weeks and will get plenty of looks against the depleted Roos.
Aaron Naughton 2+ Goals: For the reasons mentioned above in our best player prop bet. Happy to include Naughton in our SGM as well.
Colby McKercher 25+ Disposals: His move to half back a month ago has seen him rack up a ton of footy. 27+ disposals in four straight games.
Kangaroos vs Bulldogs Betting Odds & Match Info
Location: Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
Odds: North Melbourne $7.00 vs Western Bulldogs $1.10
Line: Western Bulldogs –42.5
Where to Watch Kangaroos vs Bulldogs?
You can watch Kangaroos vs Bulldogs on Channel 7 or live and ad-free on Kayo Sports.
Tail our Kangaroos vs Bulldogs Tips at Dabble!
