Gold Coast Suns vs Adelaide Crows AFL Round 3 betting tips

Gold Coast vs Adelaide AFL betting preview

The Gold Coast Suns will host the Adelaide Crows this Sunday in a clash that could determine who is left holding the wooden spoon at season’s end.

The Suns finished bottom last year and have yet to end a season in the top half of the table, but they took a big step in the right direction last week with their shock win over the West Coast Eagles.

Unfortunately for Matthew Nicks and the Crows, they appear to be heading the other way on the basis of their record defeat to Port Adelaide in the Showdown.

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Adelaide at risk of starting the season with three consecutive losses, which would only add further pressure to a club that is struggling both on and off the field.

A couple of big inclusions for the Suns will add even more power to an emerging midfield, which looked unstoppable last weekend with second-game star Matt Rowell leading the charge.

The Suns could make a big statement this week if they knock off the Crows, but do not expect the South Australian squad to go down without a fight.

Gold Coast Suns vs Adelaide Crows disposal tips

The inclusion of David Swallow and Brandon Ellis takes pressure away from the Gold Coast’s younger players, who were terrific in their underdog win over the Eagles. With this relieved pressure and added experience around the ground, players like Touk Miller will be in the right spots more often. Miller was one of the Suns’ best players against the Crows last season, so the form is promising.

Last time Rory Atkins faced the Suns at Metricon Stadium, he enjoyed his night with 28 kicks from 35 touches playing in the midfield. The diminutive runner has been named on the wing this week, where he has previously racked up plenty of disposals. Atkins has found the footy only 24 times across his two games this season, but he can lift for this one.

Gold Coast Suns vs Adelaide Crows goalscorer betting

One of the great strengths Noah Anderson possesses is smarts around goal. Last year’s no.2 draft pick kicked a nice one last week against the Eagles, so we know he can hit the scoreboard when he roams forward from the wing. Anderson kicked a goal in almost every junior game he played, but can he maintain that kind of form at AFL level?

Looking at the last game Adelaide played against the Suns, Eddie Betts kicked six goals, Josh Jenkins kicked four goals and Tyson Stengle kicked three. None of these players are in the squad this week, leading us to fall back on Taylor Walker as the Crows’ best chance for the first goal. If Walker matches up with the skinnier Jack Lukosius, he could be dangerous on a lead.

Gold Coast Suns vs Adelaide Crows match predictions

Wet conditions are forecasted for south-eastern Queensland this weekend, so we could be in for a bit of a scrap. The Crows have some decent small forwards, but the Suns were excellent against the talented West Coast crumbers last week. Expect this to be a one-sided affair as far as scoring goes.

As we mention earlier, the Crows will need to find 13 goals from players that are not in the squad this week. The Suns only look stronger with their inclusions and should win it easily if the last round is any indicator at all.