Richmond v Port Adelaide AFL preview & best bets – Rd 11, 2023

Richmond Tigers v Port Adelaide Power best bets

Richmond vs Port Adelaide AFL match preview

Round 11 of the 2023 AFL Premiership sees the in-form Port Adelaide Power head down to Melbourne to take on the Richmond Tigers at the MCG. The Power come into this game on a seven-game win streak, whereas the Tigers lost by one point to Essendon in a thriller last Saturday night.

The Dreamtime at the ‘G clash last weekend didn’t disappoint, as Richmond and Essendon fought a back-and-forth battle throughout the game. Leading by as much as 18 points in the last term, the Tigers seemed destined to continue their winning streak. However, the Bombers came home strong, ultimately clinching the win with less than 10 seconds on the clock.

Although they went down last week, there were many performances that Richmond Tigers fans would be pleased by. Shai Bolton played one of his best games of the season so far, gathering 28 disposals and kicking two goals. Playing a hybrid midfield-forward role, he was a constant headache for Essendon, using his speed and agility to always stay one step ahead of the defence.

The key talking point for the Tigers this week has been the departure of coach Damien Hardwick. Having coached the Tigers for over 12 years, the triple-premiership winner will go down as one of the modern-day greats and for the rest of the season will be sorely missed. In the interim, the Tigers will be coached by Andrew McQualter, who served as a midfield assistant coach under Hardwick.

Last weekend, the Port Adelaide Power hosted Melbourne in a match-of-the-season contender. On a wet Friday night in Adelaide, the lead changed hands multiple times throughout the night, including the last quarter, before the Power emerged victorious by four points.

In a career-best performance, Port Adelaide midfielder Zak Butters was a clear best on ground, gathering 41 possessions and two goals. In a match that regularly became a contested heap, Butters appeared a class above, as his clean pickup and use of the football was a clear point of difference.

Tigers v Power betting strategy

Travelling down to Melbourne this weekend will be a big test for the Power as they look to extend their win streak. Last time the Power played at the MCG they were embarrassed by Collingwood, going down by 71 points in round two. This weekend, they come in as slight favourites and as the in-form midfield in the competition they should prove too much for the Tigers. Expect the Power to win this one at $1.80 with the top AFL betting sites.

In a game where the midfield battle will be key, look for Tim Taranto to be a big contributor once again for the Tigers. Last weekend he continued on with his good form, collecting 33 disposals — clearly more than any other Richmond midfielder. Taranto is one of the best runners in the competition, creating opportunities for touches all around the field, and he is a decent bet to collect 30 or more disposals once again this weekend ($2.05).

With Port Adelaide missing some key forwards due to injury, Jeremy Finlayson has become one of the most important players for the Power. Averaging a career-high two goals a game this season, Finlayson has gone to another level, as he is able to impose himself upon packs, as well as showing he can kick goals from crumbing opportunities. In a game where the Power are favoured to win, Finlayson should have ample opportunity to kick two or more goals in the process ($1.63).

Key matchup: Toby Nankervis v Scott Lycett

Tony Nankervis vs Scott Lycett

Coming back from injury last weekend, Toby Nankervis settled in nicely against the Essendon ruck pairing of Sam Draper and Andrew Phillips. The Richmond captain will be looking to build on this performance again this weekend as a key player in the midfield battle. The superior hitout ruckman in this clash, Nankervis will also be looking to use his presence around the ground by taking contested marks and bringing the ball to ground.

Last weekend, Scott Lycett held his own against the superior ruck pairing of Max Gawn and Brodie Grundy. This weekend he faces a much different task in the solo ruck of Nankervis. With the Power possessing the greater midfield, Lycett will be looking to halve most contests, letting his midfielders do the work while limiting the influence Nankervis has on the game.

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