Essendon and Adelaide, two teams with top eight aspirations in 2023, will face off in a Round 17 blockbuster at Marvel Stadium on Sunday.
Both sides have been starved of success in recent years, but it appears as if they are on the path towards premiership contention and a win tomorrow will see the victor cement their spot in the top eight.
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AFL Round 17 Preview & Betting Tips
Essendon vs Adelaide
Sunday 3:20pm AEST, July 9th, Marvel Stadium
Essendon have been up and down in season 2023, but they find themselves in a fantastic position to push for finals football with eight rounds to go. The Bombers were close to defeating one of the premiership favourites, Port Adelaide last weekend, falling four points short due to a goal after the siren from Dan Houston. Nevertheless, Essendon sit eighth and have a mostly healthy squad to choose from, missing just Sam Draper, Will Setterfield and James Stewart from their best 22. Players have stepped right across the park this season – Jordan Ridley is playing great football down back, while Zach Merrett and Nic Martin are making every touch turn to gold through the middle. Now, with Peter Wright and Darcy Parish back in the line-up after long injury layoffs, Bombers fans will be daring to dream as we inch towards September.
Similarly, the Crows have produced vastly improved performances in 2023 to be amongst the peloton at this stage. Adelaide have played exciting, attacking football and been rewarded with eight wins, including victories against other quality outfits. Like the Bombers, Adelaide have most of their best players to choose from as it stands, with key defenders Tom Doedee and Jordan Butts the only notable absentees. As such, there is nothing stopping the Crows from mounting a charge in the final third of the campaign. Midfielders Jordan Dawson and Rory Laird will lead from the front as they always do, and Taylor Walker has been in excellent goalkicking form complemented by Darcy Fogarty and Izak Rankine.
Picking a winner in this one is tough. Essendon have had the better of the Crows in recent years, winning the last five encounters between the sides. Furthermore, the Bombers will relish playing this one on their home turf, while Adelaide will be without the noisy fans that push them over the line at Adelaide Oval. As such, I’m inclined to put my backing behind Essendon, although I expect a tight contest under the roof on Sunday.
Essendon 1-39
$2.40 (2 Units)
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Essendon H2H – As previously mentioned, Essendon have great recent history against the Crows and I can see them getting the four points again here.
Ben Keays 25+ Disposals – Since returning to a full-time midfield role, Keays has hit 25+ disposals in five consecutive matches.
Mason Redman 20+ Disposals – Redman hasn’t been accumulating huge numbers as of late, but he is a Marvel Stadium specialist who plays his best football under the roof.
Same Game Multi odds - $3.90
