The second of the Friday night matches in Round 3 of the 2022 AFL season will see the Crows host the Power in Showdown LI. Check out our preview and best bets for this huge 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 3 action.
Adelaide vs Port Adelaide Betting Tips
Adelaide Oval, Friday 1st April, 8:20pm (AEDT)
Adelaide
Injuries: Andrew McPherson (Hamstring), Paul Seedsman (Concussion), Rory Sloane (Adductor).
There’s not much to report on the injury front for the Crows. Andrew McPherson is expected to recover in a week from a hamstring injury, while Rory Sloane will spend a week on the sidelines after picking up an adductor injury last start. Paul Seedsman also continues to miss due to concussion issues.
The Crows were disappointing against the Magpies last week and ended up going down by 42 points on the road. Ben Keays recorded his third straight game with 37+ disposals, but he had little help on the day, particularly when Rory Sloane was subbed out. The Crows are now 0-2 on the season and they have a fairly tough schedule over the next couple of weeks.
The Crows need to be more solid in defence if they’re to be competitive in games this season. They’ve already given up totals of 89 and 100 points to teams that you wouldn’t necessarily say are blessed with firepower. At the time of writing, the Crows have made three changes to their team for Round 3, with Luke Pedlar, Nick Murray and Rory Sloane coming out for Billy Frampton, Lachlan Murphy and star midfielder, Rory Laird.
Port Adelaide
Injuries: Aliir Aliir (Ankle), Tom Clurey (Knee), Charlie Dixon (Ankle), Orazio Fantasia (Knee), Robbie Gray (Knee), Kane Farrell (Knee), Trent McKenzie (Ankle).
Injuries are a serious issue for the Power at the moment. They’re missing both key posts in Aliir Aliir and Charlie Dixon, as well as their two best small forwards in Orazio Fantasia and Robbie Gray. Key defender Trent McKenzie also faces a test on his ankle injury.
The Power were the most disappointing of all 18 teams in Round 2 when they suffered a shocking 64-point defeat at home against the rebuilding Hawks. It was a performance that no one saw coming and it’s certainly raised a few questions about their current direction. The Power are now 0-2 after losing the Lions in Round 1 and currently sit on the bottom of the ladder.
In contrast to their crosstown rivals, putting points on the board has been the major downfall for the Power so far this season, as well as in key finals in recent years. As a result of this deficiency, coach Ken Hinkley has opted to drop tall forward Jeremy Finlayson and go for a smaller looking forward line with second-gamer Jed McEntee coming in. Xavier Duursma is the other key name dropped for a lack of form, while first-year man Josh Sinn will also play in the magoos.
Match Prediction
The Power have had far more successful campaigns in recent years, which makes it no surprise that they’ve dominated this matchup. They’ve won each of the last four Showdown’s and three of those were by 8+ goals. Most recently, the Power defeated the Crows 55-51 in August of last year.
Both teams will be desperate to both defeat their rival and get off the mark with a win in 2022. The Power are obviously the better team, but the Showdown has a habit of tossing up some bizarre results.
In my opinion, the value is in the ‘unders’ in the total points market as the current line of 160.5 just looks too high, especially when you consider that the average total points scored in their last five meetings is just 135.
Total Under 160.5
$1.90 (1.5 Units)
Prop Bets
Due to their dominance in this matchup in recent years, Power players have won six of the last seven Showdown Medals. Travis Boak has won two of those (2020, 2021) and he’s my pick to take it home again this weekend. He’s in sizzling form again this season averaging 36 disposals through two games and is a proven performer in big games. Love his chances here.
Travis Boak Showdown Medal Winner ($6 at BetRight)
Dan Houston has featured in my prop bets in both of the Power’s games this season and he returns to my best bets once again. Houston has the green light to roam from 50 to 50 and has one of the best long kicks in the game at the moment. He’s kicked at least one goal in each of his last three games and remains really juicy odds to jag one again.
Dan Houston Anytime Goal Kicker ($2.90 at Ladbrokes)
Again, I was bullish on Sam Powell-Pepper to kick a goal anytime last weekend and he certainly didn’t disappoint as he banged home three majors. SPP looks to be in really good form at the moment and is nice value to kick a goal on Friday night.
Sam Powell-Pepper Anytime Goal Kicker ($1.80 at Ladbrokes)
