The second of four AFL Round 16 matches on Saturday will see the Crows host the Demons at Adelaide Oval. Find our best spread and player prop bets for this fixture right here!
As always, we have you covered with a full preview and betting tips for the game and remember to head to our AFL Tips page, where you can catch our coverage of all the Round 16 action.
Adelaide vs Melbourne Betting Tips
Adelaide Oval, Saturday 2nd July 4:35pm (AEST)
Adelaide
Injuries: Will Hamill (Concussion), Shane McAdam (Ankle), Luke Pedlar (Groin), Paul Seedsman (Concussion), Rory Sloane (Knee)
Injuries aren’t a major issue for the Crows at the moment with only a handful of players unavailable. Rory Sloane continues to miss with a knee injury, while Shane McAdam has an ankle issue.
The Crows had the easy kill in North Melbourne last weekend who they were able to take down by 57 points in Tasmania. It was the first time since Round 5 and their second time for the season that they were able to crack triple figures. The Crows have faced the two bottom sides from their last three matches and have now increased their win tally to five for the season, which is good enough for 13th spot on the ladder.
Melbourne
Injuries: Max Gawn (Ankle), Blake Howes (Foot), Tom McDonald (Ankle), Joel Smith (Ankle), Daniel Turner (Face)
Max Gawn is the big out for the Demons at the moment as he continues to recover from an ankle injury. Joel Smith and Tom McDonald are the others who are forced to the sidelines.
The Demons recovered from a mid-season slump with an impressive 64-point win against a fellow contender in the Lions last weekend. They absolutely blew them out of the park after quarter time in an impressive return to form, despite being without captain and superstar Max Gawn. As a result of that win, the Demons regained top spot on the ladder with their record now sitting at 11-3 with eight games to play.
Match Prediction
Both teams were able to bounce back from a Round 14 losses with big wins last weekend, but it’s the Demons who are obviously the far stronger team and more capable of going on with it. They were easy wire-to-wire winners the last time they faced the Crows and have only become stronger since that fixture. The Crows don’t have the weapons forward of centre to be able to test the Demons over four quarters and I expect the reigning premiers to make relatively light work of them here.
Melbourne Demons -30.5 (1.5 UNITS)
$1.90
Prop Bets
I expect the talls of the Crows to be well held by the Demons defence, but they might be able to get a bit of joy with their smalls. James Rowe has proven to be a constant threat up forward and has kicked at least one goal in four of his last six outings. He remains good value to kick one again this weekend.
James Rowe Anytime Goal Kicker ($1.80 Ladbrokes)
Bayley Fritsch continues to thrive for the Demons and is arguably in career-best form at the moment. He’s kicked at least three goals in five of his last six games and should get plenty of looks on Saturday.
Bayley Fritsch 3+ Goals ($2.10 Ladbrokes)
Luke Jackson has taken over lead ruck duties for the Demons in Max Gawn’s absence and while he’s a great player in his own right, he does allow his opponents to do as they please at times. Oscar McInerney had 23 touches playing on Jackson last weekend and I think Reilly O’Brien will have similar joy this weekend.
Reilly O’Brien 15+ Disposals ($1.80 Ladbrokes)
