North Melbourne v Western Bulldogs betting tips and prediction

Welcome to our North Melbourne v Western Bulldogs betting tips and winner prediction for their AFL round 17 clash at Marvel Stadium on Thursday night. 

The Bulldogs have been installed $1.10 favourites to defeat the Roos $6.60, with the line set at 40.5 points with Neds Australia. 

The Roos were bitterly disappointing against Hawthorn on Saturday in capitulating by 85 points, just a week after one of their best wins in recent history — an 11-point victory over Carlton. 

In a match they would have fancied playing well in, the Roos were slaughtered by a more classy team through the midfield, and had no answers to the Hawks’ forward line, despite Nick Larkey playing well at their end. 

The Roos lost George Wardlaw to concussion early in their loss to Hawthorn and he will miss the the Bulldogs game, while Jack Darling and Luke Parker are also in some doubt, with minor ailments. They will be hopeful Charlie Comben will return from a shoulder injury, which is crucial given the Dogs tall forward line. 

The Bulldogs are looking ominous ahead of September, with young big man Sam Darcy causing teams plenty of headaches, while their midfield one-two punch of Marcus Bontempelli and Ed Richards is first class. 

They were not convincing in their close win over Sydney at the SCG last start, with the Swans finishing strongly, but ultimately being a key forward short to challenge the talent-laden Dogs. 

The Bulldogs are unlikely to make many changes for this clash, which will mark the 250th time Tom Liberatore has represented the club. Young midfielder Riley Garcia would be in the conversation after a starring role at VFL level. 

Continue reading for our free North Melbourne v Western Bulldogs betting tips. 

North Melbourne v Western Bulldogs odds

Start:	Thursday, 7.30pm AEST, July 3
Venue:	Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
Head-to-head odds:	Roos ($1.39) v Bulldogs ($3.05)
Line betting:	Roos +42.5 ($1.88) v Bulldogs -42.5 ($1.88)
Premiership odds:	North Melbourne $1001; Western Bulldogs $8

North Melbourne v Western Bulldogs betting tips

Our AFL betting expert has assessed the markets and found some value North Melbourne v Western Bulldogs tip: 

Sam Darcy to kick 4+ goals

How can you overlook a dominant force such as Sam Darcy, and add to that several of the Roos’ first-choice talls are injured, and this looks to be a safe bet. Darcy was forced into the ruck last game, after a Tim English injury, but he’s unlikely to head into a game as the soul ruckman at this stage of his career. Darcy is paying $2.35 to kick 4+ goals. The other more lucrative option is Aaron Naughton, who returned to form last weekend, but he’s burnt us one too many times.

Marcus Bontempelli 25+ touches

The Bont has been brilliant against the weaker teams in 2025 and we expect him to beat up on the Roos here. He is paying $1.64 to gather over 25+ touches. 

Richards v Davies-Uniacke

The Bulldogs and Roos star midfielders could very well go head-to-head and both rack up a mountain of ball. We can’t see Luke Beveridge tagging in this one, unless someone like Harry Sheezel is destroying them, while the Roos tend to back in their system, even though it’s still developing. Both to gather 25 possessions looms as key legs in our same game multis. 

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North Melbourne v Western Bulldogs prediction

North Melbourne will not have enough firepower to go with the Bulldogs here, particularly if they play like they did against Hawthorn. The Bulldogs, month ago, when Darcy was injured, wouldn’t have surprised if they dropped a game against an improved team like North; but they are a different proposition with the freakishly talented tall in the team. We expect the Bulldogs midfield to win plenty of ball, and the Roos backline to struggle to contain Darcy and Naughton. Our final North Melbourne v Western Bulldogs prediction? Bulldogs by 33 points.