The Saints will travel to Adelaide to take on the Crows this Sunday afternoon from 1.10pm in one of the games of the round. As always, we have you covered with a full preview and betting tips for the clash below.
Remember to head to our AFL Tips page for betting previews on every game this season as well as our popular weekly Brownlow predictions. 
AFL Round 9 Preview & Betting Tips
Adelaide vs St Kilda
Adelaide Oval, Sunday 1.10pm (AEST)
Match Preview
The Saints bounced back from a disappointing loss to the Power in Round 7 with a comfortable win over North Melbourne in what was an ugly game. The Saints had the run of the play throughout the game but failed to convert their chances, kicking 8.16 on the night to record a 64-34 win.
While their offence wasn’t firing on all cylinders, it was their defence that got the job done once again. The Saints defence is the top rated in the league, topping the league in the vast majority of defensive stats including opponent average launch, score involvement, shots at goal, accuracy and total score. They have allowed just 59.25 points per game this season, 13 points less than the next best defence in the Demons.
The Saints have battled an extensive injury list throughout the early parts of the season but they are starting to get some important pieces back, with key forward Anthony Caminit making his return to the side while star Max King is set to make his season debut next week.
The Crows have had an impressive start to the season but have lost their last two games in a row to tough opponents in the Pies and Cats. They will be thankful to be back at home this week, where they have won three of their last four games and have no doubt looked their best this season.
However, the Crows don’t have a fantastic record against the Saints in recent history, whether it be in Adelaide or Melbourne. The Saints have won 11 of the last 13 games between the two sides, but those two losses have come in the two most recent games at Adelaide Oval in 2020 and 2022.
Tough to pick a winner here. The Crows have lost their last two but some really hard fought losses against the Pies and Cats means that they probably come into the game in better form than the Saints, who have looked just average in their last three games, particularly last week against the Roos.
The Crows start as 6.5 point favourites but I’m finding it tough to choose at that line. Instead I’m leaning towards the unders here. The last five games between these two teams have resulted in an average of just 149 points and as mentioned above, the Saints defence has been elite this season. Can see this ending 80-70 in favour of either team.
Under 161.5 Total
$1.90 (1.5 Units)
Same Game Multi
The easiest way to place your Same Game Multi is to click on the BoomBet BetShare banner below! This will add our SGM selections straight into your BoomBet bet slip! You can then enter how much you wish to wager and with one click, your bet has been placed!
Anthony Caminiti 1+ Goal - Expect the young key forward to be inserted straight back into the permanent forward position as the Saints have really lacked a get out target long inside 50 over the last few weeks. Has booted seven goals in five games this season.
Jack Steele 25+ Disposals - Had a bit of a slow start coming back from injury in Round 6 but looks back to near best now and should thrive playing head-to-head with another contested beast in Rory Laird. It’s always these types of matchups where Steele excels, like his last game against the Crows where he had 34 touches, 12 tackles and 12 inside 50s in a near best on ground performance.
Jordan Dawson 25+ Disposals - This game seems pre-made for Dawson to have a monster. The Saints allow the most uncontested kick-marks inside defensive 50 of any team in the league, by a fair margin. As well as pushing up into the midfield this season, Dawson still loves to be that distributor across half back so much like Jack Ziebell last week against the Saints (36 disposals, 18 marks) I think Dawson could have a field day here. Back him for 30+ if feeling frisky.
Same Game Multi Odds: $3.50
