West Coast Eagles vs Melbourne Demons Prediction, Preview, Team News and More: AFL Round 10, 2024

The Melbourne Demons, coming off a one-point loss to the Carlton Blues, will look to bounce back on Sunday against the West Coast Eagles in the AFL Round 10. The Eagles are also coming off a loss, except that theirs was a staggering 66-point schooling from the Collingwood Magpies.

The Eagles midfield clearly took a hit due to key player Elliot Yeo’s absence. That left their midfield exposed and vulnerable, a weakness that Collingwood took full advantage of.

They will have to face the Demons without him, and that leaves little hope for West Coast. However, Jake Waterman will be returning for this game as well as Jeremy McGovern, despite McGovern’s recent injury. While that's a huge boost for the Eagles, it's not enough against a team as meticulous and aggressive as the Demons.

The Demons lineup is also missing key players, most notably Jacob van Rooyen who is recovering from a concussion. That has forced them to bring Ben Brown as a replacement and Brown will work with Bayley Fritsch who will be comfortable facing West Coast after his three goal performance at the Grand Final last year.

The Eagles will also have to watch out for small forwards Kozzy Pickett and Shane McAdam. This duo is dangerously mobile and highly energetic, which will present a serious problem for the Eagles’ defense in the upcoming match.

This might not be the high-scoring match that most expect. The Demons have only scored above 100 points in one game this season and will likely remain below 100 points in this game.

However, their strong defense will make it even more difficult for West Coast to score. After their close loss to Carlton, the Dees will be eager to make a statement.

West Coast Eagles vs Melbourne Demons Head-to-Head

West Coast Eagles Form Guide: (WWLLL) West Coast is ranked 16th on the AFL ladder.

Melbourne Demons Form Guide: (WLWWL) Melbourne is ranked fifth on the AFL ladder.

West Coast Eagles vs Melbourne Demons Team News

West Coast Eagles

Injured: Oscar Allen (knee), Harry Barnett (shin), Rhett Bazzo (groin), Matt Flynn (knee), Clay Hall (hand), Elijah Hewett (foot), Callum Jamieson (hamstring), Noah Long (knee), Jack Petruccelle (ankle), Elliot Yeo (groin).

Suspended: none

Melbourne Demons

Injured: Marty Hore (calf), Jake Melksham (knee), Christian Salem (hamstring), Josh Schache (heel), Charlie Spargo (achilles), Daniel Turner (calf), Jacob van Rooyen (concussion)

Suspended: Joel Smith

West Coast Eagles vs Melbourne Demons Predicted Lineup

West Coast Eagles Lineup

FB: Alex Witherden, Tom Barrass, Brady Hough

HB: Tom Cole, Jeremy McGovern, Liam Duggan

C: Campbell Chesser, Harley Reid, Jayden Hunt

HF: Luke Edwards, Jake Waterman, Jamie Cripps

FF: Liam Ryan. Jack Darling, Jack Williams

FOL: Bailey J. Williams, Tim Kelly, Reuben Ginbey

IC: Dom Sheed, Jamaine Jones, Josh Rotham, Ryan Maric, Tyrell Dewar

EMG: Andrew Gaff, Harry Edwards, Jai Culley

Melbourne Demons Lineup

FB: Blake Howes, Steven May, Trent Rivers

HB: Judd McVee, Tom McDonald, Jake Lever

C: Jack Billings, Clayton Oliver, Caleb Windsor

HF: Alex Neal-Bullen, Bayley Fritsch, Kysaiah Pickett

FF: Kade Chandler, Harrison Petty, Shane McAdam

FOL: Max Gawn, Jack Viney, Christian Petracca

IC: Christian Salem, Jake Bowey, Tom Sparrow, Taj Woewodin, Ben Brown

EMG: Adam Tomlinson, Tom Fullarton, Koltyn Tholstrup

West Coast Eagles vs Melbourne Demons Prediction

Prediction: Melbourne by 39 points

About the author

Leonard is an AFL writer at Sportskeeda, having an overall experience of 6 years. He has studied History and International relations, which helped him hone his writing, researching and pattern-recognition skills, all of which he exercises in creating insightful content. He also delves into the fan sentiments, and uses his unique storytelling skills to create engaging pieces.

Leonard interest in the AFL was piqued during his undergrad years and he’s not looked back since. The sport has also helped him appreciate some important aspects such as cultural diversity and the value of teamwork. He supports the GSW Giants, but his favorite player, though, is Nick Dacois of the Collingwood Magpies, who contributed immensely in their inspirational run after losing the first three games of the 2024 season. Leonard also admires Giants’ coach Adam Kingsley for improving the team significantly in a small period, and aspires to be a leader like him some day.

He feels the illegal disposables rule in AFL is unfair and poorly defined, and needs to be done away with from the game entirely. When not writing about sports, Leonard enjoys writing poems and reading literature classics, especially by Fyodor Dostoevsky. He also enjoys hiking and mountaineering.

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Edited by Bhargav