Marvel Stadium will play host to Friday's Round 7 AFL game between St Kilda Saints and Port Adelaide Power. The game kicks off at 7:50 pm with St Kilda Saints heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the St Kilda Saints vs. Port Adelaide Power game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Friday April 28, 2023 at 7:50 pm
Where: Marvel Stadium
Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE
St Kilda Saints vs Port Adelaide Power Odds
St Kilda Saints vs Port Adelaide Power Preview
Another clinical coaching performance from Ross Lyon sees the Saints sitting pretty atop the table heading into Round 7.
For the third time this year, St Kilda held its opponent to 60 points or less last week, downing Carlton in what was another huge litmus test for a club that was never expected to compete for AFL finals this year.
The Saints have firmly stamped themselves as a serious flag contender, but there’s no time to celebrate with another finals-like clash ahead on Friday against an equally surprising Port Adelaide outfit.
The Power strung together three straight wins last week with a 40-point blowout over injury-ravaged West Coast, setting the stage for what should be one of the most explosive midfield battles this season.
Both sides have been much-improved through the middle of the ground, but where this contest should be won and lost is around the clearances and up forward.
The Power have been the second-best team when it comes to average clearances per game, but that will likely count for naught if they can’t push the ball forward quickly.
The Saints are arguably the best transition team in the AFL, something the Blues found out the hard way last week when they failed to show any urgency with their inside 50 entries.
Overall, Port holds the wood over the Saints with three consecutive wins dating back to the 2021 season, but I do question the legitimacy of the Power’s recent winning streak.
Wins over the Swans, Dogs, and half-strength Eagles pale in comparison to St Kilda’s recent resume which includes a win over the Blues and Essendon, and a hard-fought comeback loss against the Pies a fortnight ago.
With home-field advantage, if the Saints can match Port’s pressure, they might just make another big statement here.
Content provided by Ladbrokes
Head To Head Bet
We're tipping St Kilda Saints to win at $1.50 odds.
First Goal Scorer
First Goal Scorer: Jack Higgins at 11.00.
St Kilda Saints vs Port Adelaide Power Teams
Saints
B: J.Battle, D.Howard, C.Wilkie
HB: L.Stocker, J.Sinclair, N.Wanganeen-Milera
C: M.Wood, S.Ross, R.Byrnes
HF: M.Phillipou, B.Hill, J.Higgins
F: M.Owens, Z.Cordy, T.Membrey
FOLL: R.Marshall, B.Crouch, J.Steele – C
I/C: J.Gresham, H.Clark, D.Butler, B.Paton
EMG: M.Windhager, J.Bytel, C.Sharman, T.Campbell
IN: None
OUT: M.Windhager (sub)
Power
B: A.Aliir, T.McKenzie, D.Williams
HB: M.Bergman, J.Burgoyne, D.Houston
C: T.Boak, J.Horne-Francis, X.Duursma
HF: J.McEntee, D.Byrne-Jones, S.Powell-Pepper
F: J.Finlayson, B.Teakle, O.Lord
FOLL: C.Dixon, W.Drew, C.Rozee
I/C: R.Burton, O.Wines – C, Z.Butters, J.Rioli
EMG: F.Evans, R.Bonner, J.Mead, L.Jones
IN: J.Burgoyne, C.Dixon
OUT: T.Jonas (suspended), K.Farrell, T.Marshall (injured)
