AFL Friday tips, exotics & specials for Crows vs. Swans

TOP spot is Adelaide’s to lose as we approach the final fortnight of home and away fixtures in the 2017 AFL Premiership season.

They were tested at times by a fast, daring Essendon on Saturday, but quality won out in the end as Don Pike’s men capitalised on turnovers with clinical precision.

Matt Crouch was unstoppable in midfield, registering 20 contested possessions from his 35 overall in yet another best-on-ground performance.

Rorys Atkins and Laird were also influential with 27 touches apiece as the Crows kicked away to a 43-point victory.

Two of our three Rorys matched one another on the stats sheet on Saturday night ? https://t.co/U2smlemyYa #weflyasone pic.twitter.com/ORrLQveLgm

— Adelaide Crows (@Adelaide_FC) August 14, 2017

The evening was less enjoyable for Rory Sloane, whose knee will be assessed this week after an awkward collision with Essendon’s Matt Dea forced him from the field.

Taylor Walker was quiet after half-time and Eddie Betts was nowhere to be found, but Josh Jenkins stood tall with 21 touches, 11 marks and three goals in an imperious display against his old side.

Could that wealth of forward firepower be the difference against a Sydney Swans side with designs on the top four?

After a horror start to the year, John Longmire’s men are hitting their stride at just the right time.

A run of 12 wins from 14 games has launched them from the bottom quarter of the table to within sniffing distance of a double chance in the finals.

The rest of competition sat up and took notice last weekend as the Swans booted 22 goals to five in a 104-point demolition of Fremantle.

Isaac Heeney turns it on ✋ #AFLSwansFreo pic.twitter.com/P3w7791d5x

— AFL (@AFL) August 12, 2017

Luke Parker and Dan Hannebery led the way with 29 disposals each and a whopping 27 score involvements between them.

Sydney had no fewer than seven multiple goalkickers, headed by Lance Franklin’s quartet of majors.

The result came at a cost, with Nic Newman now a serious doubt for finals after sustaining a medial ligament injury.

But as one door closes, another opens for club captain Josh Kennedy to return from several weeks out with a hamstring issue.

Eddie Betts goal specials

• Three or more goals and Crows to win – +275 at Ladbrokes
• First goalscorer – +850 at Sportsbet
• Five or more goals – +850 at Sportsbet

If we were on the Sydney Swans coaching staff, we’d be studying tapes of Andy McGrath all week long.

The young Bomber appears to have discovered the secret to beating Betts, who had only seven disposals and did not kick a goal at the Docklands last weekend.

That came on the back of a dominant display in the Showdown, where the Adelaide star booted four goals from eight scoring shots in a huge win over Port.

It is not often that Eddie is kept quiet two weeks in a row, so the talented Sydney defence had better be on red alert.

Luke Parker exotic bets

• 110+ AFL Fantasy points – +105 at William Hill
• 30 or more disposals and Swans to win – +400 at Ladbrokes
• Three or more goals – +1100 at Sportsbet

Captaincy suits Parker.

The star Swan is as consistent and committed as they come, but he has gone to another level in Kennedy’s absence.

Indeed, he may well have notched six Brownlow votes with his back-to-back efforts against Geelong and Freo.

Along with the returning skipper, Parker’s physical presence in the midfield – and his ability to do damage forward – will be crucial to Sydney’s chances.

More Crows vs. Swans bet specials

• +100 Ladbrokes Bet Blast odds for Adelaide to win
• +250 at Ladbrokes for Rory Laird 30+ disposals and Crows win
• Matt Crouch +400 at William Hill for most disposals in round 22
• Lance Franklin +900 at William Hill to kick most goals in round 22
• Early payouts at Sportsbet if your team leads by 12 points or more at any time

Adelaide vs. Sydney Swans match tip

It is that kind of season where punters cannot trust any team in the competition.

As good as the Crows have been in 2017, they have also had stinkers out of the blue from time to time.

In Sydney’s defence, the only team to beat them since round six is Hawthorn – twice.

These are two teams with very different approaches to the game, so it comes down to a question of which style will win out.

There is a lot to be said about the Swans and their finals-ready game, but Adelaide at home are a hell of a task.

Adelaide to win by 1-39 points – +125 at Sportsbet.com.au