PuntingInDanger and fans hit on six out of nine bets in the AFL last weekend for another profitable week and we’ll be looking to back it up in Round 9 which kicks off Friday night with Adelaide hosting the Western Bulldogs. We take a look at the big Round 9 opener and give our betting tips below.
The Crows could be coming into this Friday night clash a little worse for wear after one of the games of the season last weekend in the Adelaide Showdown against the Power. The Crows led by almost four goals at the main break but a five-goal term to Robbie Gray in the 3rd set up a thrilling finish in which the Power came out five-point victors.
Captain Rory Sloane will be out for at least another week with a mild strain of his Lisfranc ligament in his foot while the Crows have a few other injury concerns to worry about as well. Brad Crouch remains on the sidelines with an injured groin while Riley Knight is out with a hamstring injury.
The Western Bulldogs are coming off a good win in Round 8 as they downed the Lions by 14 points at Etihad Stadium. Jack Macrae continued his ridiculous 2018 form, racking up 47 touches and 8 tackles in the win for a monster 155 fantasy score.
The Bulldogs currently sit just one game outside the eight and have done well to win four of their eight games so far. However, those four wins have come against the four of the bottom five teams on the ladder while they have a 48-point average losing margin in their other four games against teams placed higher than them.
It will definitely be a barometer game for the Bulldogs. Who haven’t really faced a tough test in the last three weeks, capturing wins over the Blues, Suns and Lions. If they can remain competitive against last years Grand Finalists in Adelaide then it will be a good sign for their 2018 fortunes, but I’m just not sure their defence will hold up against the might of the Crows forward line.
The Dogs have allowed under 80 points on just two occasions this year and allow the fourth most points against in the AFL. On the other hand, the Crows are the fourth highest scoring team in the league and have already scored over 100 on four occasions and scored under 80 just once.
The Crows were big winners against the Western Bulldogs in Round 16 at Adelaide Oval last year and they have scored over 100 points against the Dogs in their last three games in a row. The Western Bulldogs have desperately lacked one thing so far this season, key defenders, and Adelaide boast arguably the biggest forward line (alongside West Coast) in the league. The Dogs would have been desperate to get Easton Wood, Marcus Adams and Dale Morris back for this clash, but all three are still in doubt.
The Eagles big forward line ran rampant on the Western Bulldogs back in Round 3, and I’m finding it tough to see how they will stop Jenkins, Walker, McGovern and Lynch here. I actually expect this game line to come in a bit over the week, so keep an eye on it, but for now I think the Crows can cover the 35-point line.
As for the total point line, I expect this to go only one way.. up.. so get on the modest 177.5 while you still can.
TIP: Adelaide Crows -35.5 - $1.92 at CrownBet
TIP: Total points OVER 177.5 - $1.88 at CrownBet
