Round 16 of the 2020 AFL Season continues on a Monday evening, and we have the Melbourne Demons taking on the Fremantle Dockers up at Cazaly’s Stadium in Cairns.
The Demons need to win every match to keep their finals hopes alive, whilst the Dockers will be trying to get another win on the board to salvage some respect.
Sunday AFL saw some decent matches in which the Saints defeated the Hawks, the Cats smashed the Bombers, and the Dogs got over the Eagles by 2 points.
Be sure to check back before each AFL Round for AFL Footy Tips, AFL Predictions and AFL Player props for each match of the 2020 AFL Season.
Tipping Results So Far
Round 16 Tips – 4/4
Round 16 Player Props – 5/7
Season Tips – 94/131 = 71.75%
Season Player Props – 48/84 = 57.14%
Melbourne Demons vs Fremantle Dockers
Last Meeting
Round 14 2019 Melbourne 13.7 85 – Fremantle 11.5 71
(Melbourne by 14 Points)
Last 5 Meetings
Melbourne – 3 Wins
Fremantle – 2 Wins
Last Round
The Demons are on a short 4-day break and were knocked off by the Sydney Swans by 21 Points, to almost destroy their finals hopes.
In one of the most unattractive football games in recent times, the Dockers gave the Tigers a scare, but fell in the closing stages to lose the match by 27 Points.
Team Changes
Melbourne have made a massive seven changes to their side coming into this game. The two most significant are Angus Brayshaw and James Harmes, who are both out injured. No real significant ins for the Demons, but Michael Hibberd is a good ball user, and Braydon Preuss will probably spend some time up forward.
Current Head to Head Odds
Melbourne – $1.50
Fremantle – $2.60
Prediction
Both sides are coming off short breaks, and the Dockers have had to endure a lot of travel over the past two weeks. The amount of changes to the Demons side is never a good sign, but they need to win to keep their finals hopes alive and have already played a match in Cairns.
One thing to look for in this contest is the Inside 50 differential, with the Demons ranked 4th, and the Dockers ranked 17th. The Demons have gotten the ball out of stoppages consistently all season, and this match may favour them as the Dockers are a bit thin down back.
If the Demons can control the midfield battle, it should go a long way to winning the match against a Fremantle side that is struggling to hit the scoreboard consistently.
Our Pick – Melbourne (Win)
Player Prop – Steven May + 63.5 Fantasy Points
Went to the forward line late last week and may play there in this match, given Fremantle have not been damaging on the offensive end this season. Is averaging 72 over his last four matches from the backline. That number may increase if he can snag a goal or two and play forward.
Player Prop – Kysaiah Pickett + 33.5 Fantasy Points
This is a low number and also Picketts season average. The Demons are struggling up forward and Pickett has been brought back into the team to provide a spark. Averages almost 3 tackles per game and that could cover almost half the number. Should cover this number if he snags a goal and should get lots of opportunities with the Demons being ranked 4th in Inside 50s this season.
Player Prop – Andrew Brayshaw + 81.5 Fantasy Points
The Demons are number one in the AFL this season for conceding fantasy points to opposition midfielders and Brayshaw covers the ground well. He is averaging 86 over his past five matches and should get plenty of disposals in this clash.