Sunday afternoon football kicks off in Hobart, as North Melbourne takes on Adelaide from 1:10pm. The Roos are on an eleven game losing streak, while the Crows have won just one of their last seven. Which side will put an end to their struggles?
Check out our preview of this game below, and head to our AFL Tips page for previews on every game this round.
North Melbourne vs Adelaide Preview & Betting Tips
Blundstone Arena, Sunday 26th June, 1:10pm AEST
North Melbourne
Injuries: Miller Bergman, Charlie Comben, Ben Cunnington, Kallan Dawson, Will Phillips, Jared Polec, Jack Ziebell, Jason Horne-Francis (Suspension), Lachie Young (Suspension)
Cameron Zurhaar (foot), Aiden Bonar (hamstring) and Ben McKay (concussion) are expected to return in a positive sign for North Melbourne. Captain Jack Ziebell will miss the next month with a facial fracture, while Jason Horne-Francis and Lachie Young will both be unavailable through suspension.
The Kangaroos had the bye last week, with their last game being a 49 point defeat in Round 13 against GWS. A few late goals somewhat flattered the scoreline in a game that North Melbourne were largely uncompetitive. The Roos have lost eleven consecutive games by an average margin of 59 points, and only one of their eleven defeats in that run has come by under 47 points
This game does pose as North Melbourne’s most winnable game since their only win in Round Two and their most winnable game for the next five weeks, so you’d have to think the Roos are going to come out all guns blazing for this clash.
Adelaide
Injuries: Rory Sloane, Paul Seedsman, Riley Thilthorpe, Brett Turner
Despite their struggles this season, the Crows have one of the shortest injury lists in the AFL. Rory Sloane and Paul Seedsman have had their long term injuries that have seen them not feature much in 2022, but outside of those two, the Crows haven’t had many injuries. Riley Thilthorpe rolled his ankle against the Suns last week and is expected to miss only one week, while mid-season draft pick Brett Turner is set to miss 1-2 weeks with a foot injury.
Adelaide were put to the sword late in a 43 point defeat against Gold Coast last week, with their inability to convert the main reason in their inability to get across the line. The Crows kicked 10.13 and could only convert 22% of their inside 50’s into goals.
Rory Laird has been on an absolute tear this season, recording 30 or more disposals in nine of his eleven games this season. Laird has racked up 38, 33 and 42 disposals in his last three games, and will be set to go big against the Roos this weekend. North Melbourne were obliterated through the midfield in their last game, with five GWS midfielders recording 27 or more disposals.
Match Prediction
The -18.5 line may turn some punters away, but given the consistency in blowouts North Melbourne have been on the end of this season, the Crows are easily capable of covering. Ten of the Kangaroos’ twelve losses have been above 46 points, and Adelaide showed a fortnight ago their ability to take care of a less talented opposition, with a 31 point win over the Eagles.
The Crows defeated North Melbourne twice last season by margins of 41 and 44 points, and it’s difficult to see the Roos finding a way to stop Taylor Walker’s influence up forward, especially if their midfield struggles as it has this season.
Adelaide -18.5
$2.00 (1.5 Units)
Prop Bets
Rory Laird and Ben Keays have been ball winning machines for the Crows this season and with Laird likely to receive a tag from Kayne Turner, Ben Keays is going to have free reign this weekend. Keays has been a model of consistency this season, with 25 disposals being his lowest return this season and in twelve of his thirteen games he’s recorded 27 or more touches.
Ben Keays 30+ Disposals, $1.88 with Ladbrokes
Taylor Walker has hit great form upon returning from suspension, kicking 22 goals in 9 games this season. Key forwards have had very little trouble hitting the scoreboard in the last five weeks against the Roos with Jake Ricardi (3 goals), Max King (3), Tom McDonald (3), Todd Marshall (3) and Mitch Georgiades (3) all getting involved. Walker kicked three the last time he took on North Melbourne and will be full of confidence against the second worst defence in the competition.
Taylor Walker 3+ Goals, $1.96 with Ladbrokes
In an incredibly grim season for North Melbourne, Luke Davies-Uniacke’s development has been a positive. Davies-Uniacke is averaging 25 disposals a game over his last five games, and is coming off 25 & 33 disposal performances in his last two games, the most for North Melbourne in both games.
Luke Davies-Uniacke 25+ Disposals, $2.20 with Ladbrokes
