Melbourne Demons vs North Melbourne Kangaroos Prediction, Preview, Team News and More: AFL Round 15, 2024
The Melbourne Demons host the North Melbourne Kangaroos at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday, June 22, in the AFL Round 15. The two sides have a similar form guide having won just once in their past five games. Melbourne's last victory came in Round 11 against St Kilda, while the Kangaroos recorded their first win in Round 13 versus West Coast.
The Demons had a bye last week but suffered consecutive defeats to Fremantle and Collingwood before the break. A matchup against a struggling North Melbourne after a week's rest presents a perfect opportunity for them to turn their season around.
They will be without star forward Christian Petracca who has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after picking up a serious internal injury before the bye. Also, Jake Lever and Lachie Hunter are still out with knee and calf injuries, respectively, making the Demons slightly undermanned.
North Melbourne are the underdogs in this fixture. But their performances in recent weeks have shown a glimpse of how dangerous they can be on a good day. After their win over the Eagles, the Kangaroos suffered a heartbreaking one-point loss to Collingwood last Sunday.
They put up an impressive first-half display, and led the Magpies by 54 points, but were overpowered in the last two quarters, losing by the slimmest margin. Alistar Clarkson's side will now look to build on last week's performance against a Demon side that is not in the best shape and is short-handed. Their only win so far came on the road which is somewhat a positive heading into this tie.
Melbourne have won the previous five meetings with North Melbourne by an average of 51 points. They should win again but by a slimmer margin.
Melbourne Demons vs North Melbourne Kangaroos Form Guide
Melbourne Demons Form Guide (LLWLL): The Melbourne Demons are 11th in the AFL ladder.
North Melbourne Kangaroos Form Guide (LLLWL): The North Melbourne Kangaroos are 18th in the AFL ladder.
Melbourne Demons vs North Melbourne Kangaroos Team News
Melbourne Demons
Injured: Lachie Hunter, Jake Lever, Charlie Spargo, Christian Petracca, Jake Melksham, Marty Hore
Suspended: Joel Smith
North Melbourne Kangaroos
Injured: Callum Coleman-Jones, Blake Drury, Jy Simpkin, Bigoa Nyuon, Brayden George, Josh Goater, Wil Dawson
Suspended: Kallan Dawson
Melbourne Demons vs North Melbourne Kangaroos Predicted Lineups
Melbourne Demons
FB: Blake Howes, Steven May, Trent Rivers
HB: Christian Salem, Adam Tomlinson, Judd McVee
C: Alex Neal-Bullen, Clayton Oliver, Caleb Windsor
HF: Kade Chandler, Harrison Petty, Jacob van Rooyen
FF: Kysaiah Pickett, Bayley Fritsch, Ed Langdon
FOL: Max Gawn, Jack Viney, Tom Sparrow
I/C: Jake Bowey, Tom McDonald, Koltyn Tholstrup, Kynan Brown, Daniel Turner
EMG: Bailey Laurie, Tom Fullarton, Taj Woewodin
North Melbourne Kangaroos
FB: Aidan Corr, Charlie Comben, Toby Pink
HB: Jackson Archer, Harry Sheezel, Luke McDonald
C: Dylan Stephens, Luke Davies-Uniacke, Bailey Scott
HF: Tom Powell, Brynn Teakle, Eddie Ford
FF: Paul Curtis, Nick Larkey, Cameron Zurhaar
FOL: Tristan Xerri, George Wardlaw, Jy Simpkin
I/C: Curtis Taylor, Darcy Tucker, Liam Shiels, Zac Fisher, Will Phillips
EMG: Zane Duursma, Riley Hardeman, Cooper Harvey
Melbourne Demons vs North Melbourne Kangaroos Prediction
Prediction: Melbourne Demons to win by 22 points