Port Adelaide vs Melbourne AFL betting tips – Rd 17, 2021

Thursday night AFL clashes do not get any bigger than round 17’s blockbuster between the Power and the Demons at the Adelaide Oval.

Port Adelaide is in great form after winning its last three matches on the trot, while Melbourne has lost two of its last three games and is slipping down the AFL ladder.

The Demons got through their round 16 loss against the Giants unscathed, while unfortunately for the Power, Kane Farrell suffered a knee injury during their victory over the Hawks.

Ben Brown is still in contention at selection for the Dees, who needed a key forward to hit the scoreboard in their low-scoring affair with the Giants. The Power will need a replacement for Farrell on the wing, which could time perfectly with the return of Xavier Duursma after his knee injury.

Port Adelaide vs Melbourne match preview

The Power love to kick the ball long and use their contested marking skills in the forward half of the ground, while the Demons set up specifically for long kicks with their intercepting defenders. The Power forwards have gotten on top of the Demons’ defenders in their last three encounters using this strategy, which has resulted in three straight wins to Port Adelaide against Melbourne.

One area the Demons could beat the Power will be in the midfield, as their brigade has been strengthened this year following the growth of James Jordon. Jordon is one of the favourites in the Rising Star market due to his consistent performances. You can find the young Demon at $1.83 to get 20 or more disposals this Thursday night.

Port AdelaidePower

• Tom Clurey
• Trent McKenzie
• Aliir Aliir
• Ryan Burton
• Tom Jonas
• Darcy Byrne-Jones
• Miles Bergman
• Ollie Wines
• Karl Amon
• Connor Rozee
• Todd Marshall
• Steven Motlop
• Mitch Georgiades
• Charlie Dixon
• Zak Butters
• Scott Lycett
• Travis Boak
• Willem Drew
• Sam Powell-Pepper
• Dan Houston
• Sam Mayes
• Jarrod Leinert
• Michael Frederick (Emg)
• Boyd Woodcock (Emg)
• Joel Garner (Emg)
• Peter Ladhams (Emg)
• Coach: Ken Hinkley

MelbourneDemons

• Luke Jackson
• Ben Brown
• Bayley Fritsch
• Alex Neal-Bullen
• Tom McDonald
• James Harmes
• Andrew Brayshaw
• Christian Petracca
• Ed Langdon
• Jayden Hunt
• Harrison Petty
• Christian Salem
• Michael Hibbered
• Steven May
• Jake Lever
• Max Gawn
• Clayton Oliver
• Jack Viney
• Charlie Spargo
• James Jordon
• Trent Rivers
• Kysaiah Pickett
• Jake Melksham (Emg)
• Aaron vandenBerg (Emg)
• Tom Sparrow (Emg)
• Joel Smith (Emg)
• Coach: Simon Goodwin

Key matchup: Travis Boak vs Clayton Oliver

Travis Boak and Clayton Oliver play a very different style of football, but they are still two of the best midfielders in the AFL. Boak will use his endurance and class to beat his opposition on the outside and use the ball well by foot, while Oliver is an expert at extracting the footy at the stoppages.

The former Port Adelaide captain has played more time in the midfield this season despite his old age, but we could see him push forward and offer some excellent value in the anytime goalscorer market this week.

Port Adelaide vs Melbourne predictions & best bets

Port Adelaide to win by 1-39 points

Although the Power have not made any headway in the premiership market in the last three weeks, we have been very impressed with their form. They smashed the Suns at Metricon Stadium, beat the in-form Swans and then knocked off an impressive Hawthorn outfit last weekend. The Dees recent form is not good enough to beat the Power on the road this week.

Travis Boak anytime goalscorer

This is the perfect opportunity to jump on some juicy value for Travis Boak to kick a goal. The three-time All-Australian has only slotted four majors this season, but his recent form against the Demons has been elite. Boak kicked four goals against Melbourne in 2017 and has kicked a goal in every match against them since. With no Robbie Gray or Kane Farrell this week, Boak will push forward and kick a goal for the Power.

Same game multi: 3 legs @ $12.50

This close contest at the Adelaide Oval will be won by the home side. James Jordon will accumulate 20 or more disposals for the fifth week in a row, while Travis Boak will slot his fifth goal of the season. You can parlay these three legs together for a very nice $12.50 return with Sportsbet.