There’s a double-header on Saturday for AFL Round 3 with the second matchup pitting Port Adelaide against Melbourne at Adelaide Oval. It should be a cracking contest between two club who have looked good in 2024, and we have a full preview and betting tips for you below!
Also, Before You Bet will be providing free previews and betting tips for EVERY game in the 2024 AFL season, so make sure to head over to out our AFL Tips regularly to keep up to date with all of our free content.
2024 AFL Round 3 Preview & Betting Tips
Port Adelaide vs Melbourne
Saturday 7:30pm AEDT, March 30th, Adelaide Oval
Gifted an easy draw in the first two rounds of the season, Port Adelaide have taken full advantage and enter Round 3 with a 2-0 record. They had the easy kill in Round 1 when they hosted last year’s wooden spooners in the Eagles who they were able to dispatch by 50 points (120-70), before coming from a couple of goals down against the Tigers last weekend to win by 30 points at the MCG (122-92).
The Power’s new-look backline has also impressed in the early goings, although it hasn’t faced a genuinely tough test as of yet. Still, Brandon Zerk-Thatcher and Esava Ratugolea have both looked comfortable in their lockdown roles, which allows Aliir Aliir to be at his intercepting best.
Zak Butters has also picked up where he left off and enters this clash off a sublime 34-disposal one-goal performance against the Tigers which was a clear 3-voter. Ollie Wines has also returned to some of his better form after a quieter 2023, and amassed 26 disposals and 10 clearances last outing.
Elsewhere, Melbourne have been able to put a disappointing Opening Round loss against the Swans (64-86) behind them to secure relatively easy wins against the Bulldogs (109-64) and most recently the Hawks (93-38).
Unfortunately, their most recent victory came at a bit of a cost with superstar defender Steven May suffering an injury to his ribs. The good news is he’s been cleared of any serious damage, but the bad news is he’ll miss their Round 3 clash.
Jake Lever also went down injured in Round 2 against the Hawks but has been made available for Saturday night. His play will be crucial to their chances against the Power, particularly considering the Demons have lost three of their past four games without May in the lineup.
Match prediction: These teams last met in May 2023 at Adelaide Oval and it proved to be one of the best matches of the season. The Power ended up securing a four-point victory (80-76) in wet conditions, led by Butters who tallied monster numbers of 41 disposals, 10 clearances, and two goals.
The Demons will be keen to get one back on the Power on Saturday night but it certainly won’t be easy. As mentioned above, they’ve lost three of their last four games without May in the lineup, and their now undermanned defence will be trying to restrict a potent Power outfit that has posted scores of 120 and 122 points in their two games to date.
It should be another cracking contest between two potential top four sides, but it’s one where the Power should have the edge on their home deck once again.
Port Adelaide -10.5
$1.91 (2 Units)
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Port Adelaide H2H – For the reasons mentioned above, I’m happy to include the Power to win as a leg.
Zak Butters 30+ Disposals – Played the game of his life the last time these two teams met at this venue. Has also started in terrific form this campaign.
Todd Marshall 2+ Goals – 100th game for the Power forward and is coming off a decent haul against the Tigers. Should get a relatively favourable matchup with May out for the Demons.
SGM Odds: $4.10 at BoomBet
