Port Adelaide v Western Bulldogs AFL best bets – Round 5, 2023
| Port Adelaide Power v Western Bulldogs AFL Betting Odds & Game Info | |
|---|---|
| Best odds | Power $1.53 at BetOnline | Bulldogs $2.52 at BetOnline |
| When | Saturday, April 15 | 7:20pm ACST |
| Where | Adelaide Oval, South Australia |
| Last time they met | Port Adelaide 12.14.86 – Western Bulldogs 10.9.69 (Rd 8, 2022) |
| Watch live | Seven, Fox Sports, Kayo |
Gather Round continues on Saturday at the Adelaide Oval with a colossal AFL clash between Port Adelaide and the Western Bulldogs. The Power enter this contest after a thrilling victory over Sydney, and the Dogs likewise got over the line in a tight one against the Tigers.
It wasn’t the most convincing win for the Bulldogs last week. Despite holding a significant lead early, the Dogs players felt those in attendance should get their money’s worth by allowing the Tigers to kick seven goals consecutively. But they wrestled back momentum and proved to the rest of the AFL that they are back on track.
It was only a matter of time – their list is one of the strongest in the AFL – and despite claiming a big scalp last Saturday, its still in question whether or not the Doggies are back at their best. They’re not, but they seem to be finding their form week by week, so it will be interesting to see what side shows up this Saturday.
Despite the Power claiming a huge scalp of their own last week, the Dogs are a better team. Their midfield is superior and their forwards will create headaches for the Power defence. If the Dogs’ backline holds up against the Power’s electric attack, then expect them to win handsomely at the juicy price of $2.52 with BetOnline.
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Just one metre was what decided Port Adelaide’s clash with Sydney last week. The win was well deserved, but it felt as though that the Swans lost that one more than the Power won it. Sydney lost their best two key defenders throughout the game, allowing Charlie Dixon and Jeremy Finlayson to run rampant, yet the Power allowed the Swans to go from their defence to their forward 50 unimpeded in the last 30 seconds. As much as there was a bit of luck to it, it is good to see Port get the win and hopefully kickstart a positive run of form.
One player who has been in good form all year for the Power is young gun Connor Rozee. The move to the midfield has allowed Rozee to get more amongst the play and impact the game in varying ways. He still knows how to hit the scoreboard, however, and one thing the Dogs struggle with is a goalkicking mid-forward. No matter how the game will go, Rozee is sure to play his role for the team, and if left to his own devices, he is sure to put the ball through the big sticks at least once ($1.57).
The Western Bulldogs midfield ran rampant against the Tigers last week, yet Jack Macrae was uncharacteristically quiet. He had 21 disposals and a goal, but those are numbers that don’t connect to his usual lofty standards. Macrae is a ball magnet, an accumulator from siren to siren, so it’s assured that he will be back to his ball-winning best this weekend – especially given the superiority the Dogs will hold over the Power in the middle. If this is the case, then look for Macrae to rack up 30 or more disposals as he propels the Doggies inside their forward half again and again ($2.05).
Key matchup: Aliir Aliir v Aaron Naughton
Aliir Aliirvs 
Aaron Naughton |
| 28 | Age | 23 |
| 194cm | Height | 195cm |
| 96kg | Weight | 93kg |
| 111 | Games | 104 |
| 5 | Goals | 154 |
Last week, Aliir Aliir showed to everyone that he is still one of the best intercepting and shutdown defenders in the league. It didn’t matter who the Swans went to with their kicks, Aliir was down the line preventing the play with either spoil or mark. It was a best-on-ground performance worthy of the three votes from the umpires.
But this week Aliir will find himself on a player who is just as good at reading the ball in the air, just as quick, and just as powerful. Aaron Naughton is the man the Dogs frequently look for when going forward, and he will once again be a key focal point in their attack. If Naughton is allowed to control the play with his aerial supremacy, then the Dogs will win handsomely.
