The struggling Port Adelaide will take on Melbourne in the Round 4 opener in the AFL on Thursday night. The Power will be desperate for their first win of the season while the Dees look to stay undefeated.
Check out our full preview and betting tips for the clash below and remember to head to our AFL Tips page for updates on all of the weekend’s action.
Port Adelaide vs Melbourne Betting Tips
Adelaide Oval, Thursday 7th April, 7.40pm (AEST)
Port Adelaide
Injuries: Aliir Aliir, Tom CLurey, Orazio Fantasia, Kane Farrell (Out) Charlie Dixon, Robbie Gray (Test)
The Power are still without their most vital cog in defence in Aliir Aliir, who will remain on the sidelines for another few weeks at least. They could get two important pieces back in Charlie Dixon and Robbie Gray this week though.
The Power were dealt a heartbreaking blow in Showdown 51 in Round 3 as Crow Jordan Dawson kicked a goal after the siren to win the game for his team. Port Adelaide are now 0-3 on the season and sit in 16th place on the ladder with only the Eagles and Bombers behind them.
The absence of Aliir Aliir has been a massive issue, with the Power seriously lacking key defenders and intercept players at the moment. Ken Hinkley has copped a barrage from the media over the last few weeks, and after 10 years at the helm, you’d have to think he is only another couple of losses away from losing his job.
Melbourne
Injuries: Christian Salem, Michael Hibberd, Jake Lever, Harrison Petty (Out)
To think that Melbourne have the four premiership defenders named above to still come back into the team is a pretty daunting prospect for opposition teams. Apart from those four players, the Dees have a clean bill of health at the moment.
The Dees were too good for the Bombers in Round 3 to move to 3-0 on the season. They will have a tough time at the selection table this week as they try to fit Ben Brown back into the side after Sam Weidemen was one of their best on Friday night, booting four goals in the win.
Coach Simon Goodwin stated in the post game press conference that the Dees are at their best with two tall forwards and two ruckman in the line-up. Max Gawn and Luke Jackson seem locks as the two ruckman, which means that there is only room in the forward line for two of Ben Brown, Tom McDonald and Sam Weidemen. Do they drop one? Do they send Tom McDonald down back?
Match Prediction
The Dees start as 15.5 point favourites on the road, which I actually think is a touch low given how good they have looked so far this season and how poor the Power have been. There’s no doubt a little bit of a ‘hungry dog runs faster’ aspect in this game, as the Power are seem to already be fighting for their season.
However, I think the players have lost some faith in their coach Ken Hinkley, so rather than coming out firing in an attempt to save his job and their season, I could easily seeing it going the other way and this game being the catalyst for his dismissal.
I have no faith in the Power at the moment, and am more than happy to be against them against the best team in the league.
Melbourne -15.5
$2.00 (2 Units)
Prop Bets
In a combined six games involving these two teams this season, five of them have hit the over. Dees games are 3-0 going over while Port are 2-1. The Power are struggling defensively this season, so I think the Dees put up 100+ on them on Friday night.
Over 171.5 ($1.88 at Ladbrokes)
Zak Butters had a rough game against the Crows with just 13 disposals and 59 fantasy points. Just the week prior in a loss, he racked up 29 touches and 11 tackles to score 137 points. Racks up points easily due to high tackle numbers, good value to get 100+ again on Friday night.
Butters 100+ Fantasy Points ($2.35 at Ladbrokes)
Adding Clayton Oliver to get 110+ points to the mix for some extra value here. Had just 100 in the Round 1 win against the Bulldogs but has since had 120 and 117 in his last two rounds.
Clayton Oliver 110+ Fantasy Points ($1.77 at Ladbrokes)
*** CLICK HERE TO COMBINE PROP BETS IN SAME GAME MULTI AT LADBROKES FOR $7.46 ***
