How to watch Melbourne Demons vs Western Bulldogs AFL 2026 Round 24?

You can watch the Melbourne Demons vs Western Bulldogs AFL 2026 Round 24 game via Fox Sports or Kayo Sports. If you are watching from outside of Australia the WatchAFL app is the perfect solution.

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To buy tickets to the Melbourne Demons vs Western Bulldogs AFL 2026 Round 24 game check the AFL website or the official Melbourne Demons site.

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Melbourne Demons vs Western Bulldogs AFL Round 24 Tips - Top-Four Hopes on the Line

Ryan Tucker

Editor

Last updated: Thu. 20 Aug. 2026 12:40

Ryan Tucker 20 Aug. 2026

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Melbourne are tipped to win by over 16.5 points, with strong recent form and scoring.
Bulldogs face injury concerns, notably Bontempelli, impacting upset hopes.
A Demons win secures rest and may elevate them into the top four on the ladder.
The game will be played at MCG on Saturday, 22nd August, with the bounce at 4:15 PM (AEST)

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Melbourne Demons vs Western Bulldogs

Melbourne Demons vs Western Bulldogs, Round 24 2026 - Expert Prediction

Melbourne can guarantee a week off by beating the Bulldogs, and could even climb into the top four outright if Brisbane or Hawthorn slip up.

Melbourne Demons vs Western Bulldogs, Round 24 2026 - Expert Prediction
Head to Head Stats
Melbourne Demons Form Analysis
Western Bulldogs Form Analysis
Melbourne Demons vs Western Bulldogs Team List & News
Melbourne Demons vs Western Bulldogs AFL 2026 Round 24 FAQ's

The Western Bulldogs, on the other hand, are locked into a wildcard final no matter what happens here, but a win would put eighth spot and a potential home wildcard final within reach, while a loss paired with a Carlton win risks dropping them to tenth.

Check out the Final Ladder Predictions and Playoff Permutations

Melbourne have been dominant of late, thrashing Port Adelaide by 76 points at Adelaide Oval last week with Max Gawn (25 disposals, 9 clearances), Kade Chandler (4 goals in his 100th game) and Bayley Fritsch (4 goals) all firing. They've now won 4 of their last 5 and are averaging 109.6 points a game over that stretch. The Bulldogs' form has been far less settled with a draw against Carlton last week followed two losses and two wins across their previous four, their attack has averaged just 76.4 points across that same period.

The numbers line up firmly behind the Demons having won 10 of their last 11 games at the MCG. The uncertainty for the Bulldogs is personnel with skipper Marcus Bontempelli was rested last week and reports out of the club have been mixed on whether he returns here or is managed for another week.

Take Melbourne to win by more than 16.5 points, the Demons' team total to run big, and Harrison Petty for another multi-goal game at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.

Melbourne have won 10 of their last 11 games at the MCG and are fresh off a 76-point demolition of Port Adelaide.
The Dees attack has been firing of late and could explode in the 2nd half if the Dogs fatigue.
Harrison Petty kicked 2 goals in last week's win and has been a genuine focal point inside 50 for the Demons through the back half of the season.
Western Bulldogs skipper Marcus Bontempelli's fitness is in doubt after being managed out of last week's draw with an Achilles issue, which would be a significant blow to the Dogs' hopes of an upset.

Head to Head Stats

Melbourne hold a slight historical edge, 93 wins to 83 all-time, though the recent series has actually favoured the Bulldogs having won 3 of the last 5 meetings, including a 3-point win over the Demons back in Round 11 this year, 14.9 (93) to 13.12 (90).

Melbourne Demons Form Analysis

Melbourne produced one of their best performances of the season last weekend demolishing Port Adelaide 20.12 (132) to 8.8 (56) at Adelaide Oval. Max Gawn (25 disposals, 9 clearances), Kade Chandler (4 goals in his 100th game), Bayley Fritsch (4 goals) and ex-Saint Jack Steele (27 disposals, 1 goal) were the headline performers, while Harrison Petty chipped in 2 goals up forward.

Melbourne sit 5th at 15-7 and can move into the top four with a win here paired with results elsewhere, though Jacob van Rooyen has been handed a 3 week suspension following his illegal hit in last week's win.

Western Bulldogs Form Analysis

The Bulldogs drew with Carlton 12.10 (82) apiece at Marvel Stadium last weekend, a result that locked Carlton into the last wildcard spot while the Dogs remained ninth. Ed Richards (31 disposals, 6 clearances, 2 goals) and Tom Liberatore (33 disposals, 12 clearances) were the best of the Bulldogs, filling the void left by skipper Marcus Bontempelli, who was rested with an Achilles complaint alongside ruckman Tim English.

The Bulldogs are already locked into a wildcard final regardless of this result, though a win could improve their seeding and hosting rights for that game.

Melbourne Demons vs Western Bulldogs Team List & News

Melbourne Demons Team News: Xavier Lindsay comes into the Melbourne side, replacing Jacob van Rooyen, who will miss through suspension.

Western Bulldogs Team News:Marcus Bontempelli returns alongside Connor Budarick, Bailey Dale and Ryan Gardner. Lachie Jaques, Louis Emmett and Jedd Croft have been omitted, while Tom Liberatore is managed.

Melbourne	POS	Western Bulldogs
J. Bowey, J. Lever, D. Turner	B	M. Sellwood, B. Khamis, C. Budarick
C. Salem, T. McDonald, C. Jiath	HB	L. Bramble, J. O'Donnell, B. Dale
H. Sharp, T. Sparrow, H. Langford	C	B. Williams, J. Freijah, C. Hynes
K. Pickett, M. Jefferson, E. Langdon	HF	C. Weightman, A. Naughton, A. Jones
K. Tholstrup, X. Lindsay, K. Chandler	F	J. Dolan, M. Bontempelli, S. Davidson
M. Gawn, J. Steele, C. Windsor	FOLL	R. Lobb, M. Kennedy, E. Richards
B. Laurie, T. Rivers, B. Fritsch, H. Petty, J. Fitzgerald	I/C	L. Carmichael, R. Gardner, L. Kennedy, R. Sanders, R. West

Melbourne Demons vs Western Bulldogs AFL 2026 Round 24 FAQ's

How to watch Melbourne Demons vs Western Bulldogs AFL 2026 Round 24?
You can watch the Melbourne Demons vs Western Bulldogs AFL 2026 Round 24 game via Fox Sports or Kayo Sports. If you are watching from outside of Australia the WatchAFL app is the perfect solution.
How to buy tickets to Melbourne Demons vs Western Bulldogs AFL 2026 Round 24?
To buy tickets to the Melbourne Demons vs Western Bulldogs AFL 2026 Round 24 game check the AFL website or the official Melbourne Demons site.

Verdict

Melbourne Demons v Western Bulldogs

Take Melbourne to win by more than 16.5 points, the Demons' team total to run big, and Harrison Petty for another multi-goal game at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.

Melbourne -16.5

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Harrison Petty 2+

Goals

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