Port Adelaide v Western Bulldogs, Adelaide Oval

The media spotlight left Alberton following Port Adelaide’s gritty two-point win over St Kilda.
It was unconvincing, to say the least, but the victory took some of the pressure off coach Ken
Hinkely after it had gone into overdrive following the capitulation to the Brisbane Lions. Port
remain inside the top-eight, but they need to keep winning to fend off challengers such as
the Western Bulldogs. The midfield battle will be crucial, with Bulldogs captain Marcus
Bontempelli in a rich vein of form. Port’s onballers Connor Rozee, Zak Butters and Jason
Horne-Francis need to somehow match it with Bontempelli, Adam Treloar and Tom
Liberatore.

Port Adelaide and the Western Bulldogs are set for an intense clash at Adelaide Oval, with both teams bringing different forms into this round. Port has shown signs of inconsistency throughout the season, especially when up against top-eight contenders. Their last few matches have seen fluctuating performances, including a narrow win against St Kilda and a disappointing loss to Collingwood, raising questions about their ability to hold off high-pressure teams.

The Western Bulldogs, meanwhile, have found some rhythm late in the season. Their midfield brigade has been lifting, particularly with Bontempelli continuing to make an impact. However, away games have been a challenge for the Dogs, and Adelaide Oval hasn’t always been a happy hunting ground for them.

When looking at AFL betting tips for this match, factors like contested possession and forward efficiency could be crucial. Port’s home-ground advantage may play a role, but recent trends in both squads’ performances suggest a tight contest is on the cards. AFL tips leaning toward a close margin or alternate line markets may be worth considering, given the unpredictability of both sides.

As always, form trends and injuries will be worth monitoring before making any AFL prediction for this highly anticipated showdown.

TIP: Western Bulldogs by 16 points, Marcus Bontempelli for 30 or more possessions