Adelaide Oval is set to host a huge clash on Saturday night, with Adelaide hosting Sydney as the Crows attempt to keep their 2023 AFL Premiership season finals hopes alive. In an elimination final of sorts, Adelaide have to win this weekend to stay in the hunt, while the Swans sit seventh just two points inside the top eight. We bring you our preview, best bet and value Same Game Multi below!
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AFL Round 23 Preview & Betting Tips
Adelaide vs Sydney
Saturday 7:40pm AEST, August 19th, Adelaide Oval
It’s do or die time for the Crows, who have seen their season gradually slip away. After a promising start, Adelaide have stuttered massively in the back end of the campaign, winning just two of their last five matches. As such, two victories are realistically required for the Crows to feature in September, a goal that few will fancy them to achieve. With that being said, key recruit Izak Rankine should return for the Swans game, adding some much-needed dynamism to Adelaide’s forward line, which has been heavily reliant on Taylor Walker again in 2023. That’s not to say that goals have been hard to come by – despite recent losing form the Crows have still managed to kick 89+ points in four successive games. With that it becomes clear that defending has been a bigger issue, and it’s not hard to see why. Adelaide are missing several key defenders and Brodie Smith was just about the only experienced campaigner down back last weekend, so it will be up to the midfielders to ensure that the ball spends plenty of time in the forward half this weekend.
In stark contrast to the Crows, Sydney have hit their straps in the lead up to the finals, winning five on the trot. It’s been a remarkable revival for the Swans who looked very much down and out mid-season, especially considering the names that are missing from the 22. Key position players Lance Franklin and Paddy McCartin have both retired, while the likes of Chad Warner, Dane Rampe and Tom McCartin have all also spent time on the sidelines. Nevertheless, some creative coaching has seen Sydney rocket up the table, with Tom Papley thriving in the midfield, Callum Mills playing as a versatile utility and smaller defenders stepping up in the absence of the big men. In further good news, Rampe could return this weekend and Justin McInerny isn’t far away. The Swans certainly aren’t the same team that played off in the big dance last year, but further wins could see them push on into September and send fear through the rest of the competition.
Sydney have won the last three matches played between these teams, and the most recent match at this venue went the Swans way by three points. There is plenty of the line for both teams so I can see this game being a real arm wrestle, with the result coming down to the wire. As such, I’m looking to the Tri-Bet market in this one.
Either Team Under 15.5 Points
$2.95 (2 Units)
Same Game Multi
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Taylor Walker 3+ Goals – Tex is having a huge season, with 65 goals to his name at an average of 3.2. While Sydney have been winning, they are still conceding plenty of goals and Walker should be able to take advantage of their undersized backline.
Ben Keays Anytime Goal Scorer – With Matt Crouch back in the lineup, Keays is playing almost exclusively forward. As a result, he has kicked one goal or more in his last seven matches.
Sydney +12.5 – As stated above, I think this will be a tight contest with a narrow final margin. Given the Swans recent form, a 12-point head start looks generous here.
SGM Odds: $6 at BoomBet
