The final match of AFL Round 21 will see the Eagles take on the Crows on Sunday afternoon. It’s certainly not a blockbuster clash but there’s still money to be made from our best bets!
Also, be sure to check out our AFL Tips page for regular updates and our best bets for every match of the home and away season.
West Coast vs Adelaide Betting Tips
Optus Stadium, Sunday 7th August, 4:10pm (AEST)
West Coast
Injuries: Rhett Bazzo, Josh Rotham, Alex Witherden (Test), Jai Culley (Suspension), Oscar Allen, Campbell Chesser, Tom Cole, Luke Edwards, Tom Joyce, Jeremy McGovern, Jack Petruccelle, Dom Sheed, Elliot Yeo (Out)
West Coast have been riddled by injury before the season even started and it hasn’t changed as we approach the end. Important players that won’t take any further part this campaign are Oscar Allen, Jeremy McGovern, Dom Sheed and Elliot Yeo.
The Eagles were asleep at the wheel for the first half of their recent match against the Suns but found some fighting spirit after the main break to eventually fall by just three points. Jack Darling was superb in Josh Kennedy’s absence with six majors in a clear best-on-ground performance. The Eagles have been somewhat competitive in matches since their bye, although it’s still a far cry from what was expected of them this campaign.
Adelaide
Injuries: Luke Brown, Tom Doedee, Riley Thilthorpe (Test), Andrew McPherson, Paul Seedsman, Rory Sloane (Out)
Adelaide almost has a full complement of players to choose from heading into this weekend’s fixture. Luke Brown, Tom Doedee and Riley Thilthorpe will all face a fitness test in the days leading into the match, while Rory Sloane and Paul Seedsman will miss the rest of the season.
The Crows dished up arguably their best performance of the season against the Blues last weekend, defeating them in Adelaide by 29 points in a strong four-quarter display. Rory Laird continued his dazzling season and currently leads the AFL in both disposals and tackles per games, which is incredible to think about. Still, it’s another year without getting close to a finals berth for the Crows. They enter this round with six wins and 13 losses to their name.
Match Prediction
West Coast have been nearly incapable of putting four quarters of footy together this season and while a lot of that has to do with a lack of key personnel, it also seems to be a lack of intensity from their leaders at times. Here, they come up against a Crows side that is evidently trying to finish off the season strongly. If the Eagles can’t match the intensity of their opposition from the first bounce on Sunday, then I can see another big loss coming their way.
Adelaide H2H
$1.82 (2.5 Units)
Prop Bets
If the Crows can bring the heat from the opening bounce like they did against the Blues last weekend, then they should be able to build a good lead that they can maintain. With that in mind, getting on them in the wire-to-wire market looks like solid value.
Adelaide Crows Lead at Every Quarter ($3.20 at Ladbrokes)
Wayne Milera made the move up forward a couple of months ago and is starting to hit the scoreboard more regularly. He’s kicked a goal in four of his last five appearances and is still at really nice odds to jag at least one against the Eagles.
Wayne Milera Anytime Goal Scorer ($2 at Ladbrokes)
I’m not expecting the Eagles pressure to be at an all-time high this weekend, which should allow the Crows key forwards to get on the end of some decent forward 50 entries. Tex Walker is the most likely to cash in this weekend and I love him for 3+ and 4+ goals.
Taylor Walker 3+ goals ($1.98 at Ladbrokes)