Port Adelaide v Western Bulldogs betting tips and prediction
The Western Bulldogs faltering season faces another stiff challenge on Friday night, when they clash with Port Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval.
The Bulldogs began 2026 like a house on fire before injuries and ultimately form has seen them slump to four successive losses and their premiership odds balloon out from single figures to 41.00.
The Power (1.85) are now favourites with Australian betting sites for this clash, following the injury concern around Bulldogs skipper Marcus Bontempelli, with heel and knee complaints. The Dogs have eased out to 1.95, with the line set at just half a point.
The Bulldogs did lift significantly last weekend against Fremantle, but face a Port Adelaide team that is beginning to hit its straps under Josh Carr, despite their last gasp loss to Adelaide in the derby.
The Dogs have swung four changes with Connor Budarick, Cooper Hynes, Oskar Baker and Lachlan Smith replacing Sam Davidson, Laitham Vandermeer, Louis Emmett and Josh Dolan.
The Power have opted to give Esava Ratugolea another week in the SANFL as he chases his first game since round 3, with Todd Marshall being replaced by Jack Watkins.
They will be smarting after Crows youngsters Brayden Cook jagged an outstanding goal in the dying seconds to snatch the lead in the derby, but there was plenty to like in this performance against a team tipped to push deep into September.
The Power’s midfield, lead ably by Zac Butters and Jason Horne-Francis, will trouble a Bulldogs team with queries around Bontempelli and without the absent Tom Liberatore and Adam Treloar, with the latter two’s careers in jeopardy given the repeat nature of their concussion and hamstring problems.
The Power’s forward line, with spearhead Mitch Georgiades, is dangerous and has the lever of sending Horne-Francis deep, a trick their opponent usually do well with their captain.
Continue reading for our free Power v Western Bulldogs betting tips and winner prediction for their AFL round 9 clash.
Port Adelaide v Western Bulldogs betting tips
Our AFL betting expert has assessed the market and found some value Power v Bulldogs tips:
Matthew Kennedy 25+ possessions
No Tom Liberatore, Adam Treloar and wounded Bontempelli means plenty of opportunity will be given to Kennedy. He reached 30 possessions last week and looms as a solid option for 25+ this week. You could do worse than chuck him in for a goal as well. Other Dogs with increased midfield exposure include Riley Sanders and Joel Freijah, although the latter has been inconsistent and won’t be part of our multis. Ed Richards, who we did well with last season, has been down slightly in 2026 with niggling injuries but did return to somewhere near his best last week and is worth considering.
Mitch Georgiades 3+ goals
You can almost mark this down in your books, with the super-consistent Georgiades set to take advantage of the Dogs key backmen injuries. Georgiades is paying 1.52 to kick 3+ goals. At the other end, Aaron Naughton, who we thought had suffered a terrible injury the other week, has been great for the Dogs and will need to kick goals if they are to win here. He’s paying 1.88 for 3+. Dogs live-wire Arthur Jones made a big difference last week, has ability and is worth throwing in for a goal.
Zac Butters 30+ possessions
Butters has been on fire for the Power in recent weeks, and with question markets around Bontempelli, we think he’ll guide his team to a victory against the struggling Dogs. He’s short at 1.46 to reach 30, but is an exceptionally solid leg in your multis. Jason Horne-Francis is another who will look to cash in on the Dogs’ weakened midfield, with the no.1 draft pick paying 1.50 to reach 25+.
Port Adelaide v Western Bulldogs prediction
The Bulldogs were gallant last round against Fremantle, but they are undoubtedly only just going and a trip to South Australia will be hard, without their key defensive stocks. The Power have eased into favouritism in this clash and will be bitterly disappointed if they lose. They just look more settled through the midfield and down back. Our final Power v Bulldogs prediction? Power by 12 points.
