Thursday Night Footy is back in Round 13 as the Sydney Swans host the St Kilda Saints in the opening game of the round. As always, we have you covered with a full preview and betting tips for the clash below.
Remember to head to our AFL Tips page for regular updates on the AFL as well as previews for every game of the 2023 season.
AFL Round 13 Preview & Betting Tips
Sydney vs St Kilda
SCG, Thursday 7:10pm (AEST)
Both the Swans and the Saints will be coming off their bye week when they meet on Thursday night, but it won’t lend a lot of support to the battered Swans, who will still be without a long list of players through injury. Key defenders Paddy and Tom McCartin remain on the sidelines with concussion problems while Logan McDonald, Callum Mills, Luke Parker and Joel Amartey will also all be missing for the Swans. The home side will welcome back veteran defender Dane Rampe as well as Angus Sheldrick to the side.
The Saints were battling a long injury list early in the season but are getting players back in the side at a steady rate now. The return of Max King from injury a few weeks ago changed their play style completely, but they are still without a few key players including Nick Coffield, Jack Billings, Zak Jones and now Hunter Clark, who injured his knee in the loss to the Hawks a few weeks ago.
Luckily for the Saints, star forward Mitch Owens will return to the side this week, giving them a much needed boost in attack and through the midfield. Also returning to the side will be young midfielder Marcus Windhager, who has been dominating in the VFL, earning a callup in the absence of Clark.
Inconsistency has been a thorn in the Saints side since their Round 5 loss to the Pies. At times they have looked like a genuine top eight side but at others, like in their loss to the Hawks two weeks ago, they have looked completely off the pace. Getting Owens and King back in the side for just the 2nd time this season will be a big help to their structure and what has been their biggest problem this season, kicking a winning score.
The pair, as well as Anthony Caminiti, could also give the undersized Swans defence some trouble, particularly King, who doesn’t really have a compatible matchup on the other side.
The Saints start as slight underdogs on the road, which I am surprised by given the sheer amount of injuries the Swans are dealing with at the moment. Sydney have only scraped past the Roos and Blues in their last two games, both of whom are arguably the most out of form teams in the competition.
I think there is value in the Saints on Thursday night after a full week break. Back them to cover the 7.5 point line.
St Kilda +7.5
$1.90 (1.5 Units)
Same Game Multi
Max King 2+ Goals - King has been in stellar form since his season debut against the Giants a few weeks ago. He has played just two games and kicked four goals in each of them, going at a fantastic accuracy of 8.1 so far.
Jack Steele 25+ Disposals - Steele has looked a touch out of sorts as he continues to recover from a shoulder injury, however, I think there is good value in him this week to have 25+. He will be asked to do more through the midfield in the absence of Clark and averaged 28.0 across two games against the Swans last season.
Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera 20+ Disposals - This has been a favourite leg of ours over the last few weeks as the talented young defender continues to rack up big numbers. Has had 20+ in six of his last eight games and averaged 27 over his last two weeks.
Same Game Multi odds: $3.50
