Can the Blues save Voss’s bacon against Port Adelaide?

The blowtorch has been well and truly turned on Carlton and coach Michael Voss ahead of their AFL round 16 clash against Port Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday night. 

The Power have been installed $1.68 favourites to defeat the Blues ($2.20) by PlayUp Australia, with the line set at 5.5 points. 

The Blues sit 10th on the AFL ladder with a 6-8 record and are coming off a disastrous loss to rebuilding North Melbourne, which is a far cry from the pre-season predictions of a top four finish and premiership. 

Carlton in the pre-season were as short as $5 to win the AFL premiership in 2025, with these odds now having blown out $101. 

The Power, who are coming off a 19-point loss to Sydney at home, have been underwhelming this season as well but given coach Ken Hinkley is handing the reins to Josh Carr, there is little pressure on his tenure. 

The Blues will again be without key forward Harry McKay with his knee injury, while Charlie Curnow went goalless against the Kangaroos, and might need a rest, but is not the injury list. 

With Sam Walsh still at least a month away from returning from a foot injury, players pressing in the twos are the only option for Michael Voss, with Billy Wilson, Ben Camporeale, and mid-seasons draftee Flynn Young the pick of them. 

Port Adelaide is likely to include athletic defender Allir Allir after a minor knee ailment forced him out of the Swans clash, while Jack Lukosius is available for the first time since round 2, when he fractured his knee cap.

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Power v Blues odds and details

Start:	Thursday, 7.30pm AEST, June 26
Venue:	Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
Head-to-head odds:	Power ($1.68) v Blues ($2.20)
Line betting:	Power -5.5 ($1.88) v Blues +5.5 ($1.88)
Premiership odds:	Port Adelaide $151; Carlton $101

Port Adelaide v Carlton tips

Our AFL betting expert has assessed the markets and found some value Power v Blues tips: 

Zac Butters 30+ touches

Wouldn’t the Blues kill for a player of Butters’ class running through their midfield. While the Port midfielder has not been as consistent as other years, he gathered 28 and had six clearances against the Swans. With the Blues generally not tagging, we think he’s a lock to gather over 25 again here, or he really is great value at $2.20 with Neds Australia to get 30+.

Willie Rioli 3+ goals

Rioli has been playing for too many frees this year in our opinion, and needs to get back to playing the ball, but there is not better defence to play against if you are a small forward than the Blues. Roo Paul Curtis could have walked away with a handful of goals if it wasn’t for accuracy last weekend and Rioli could be the man this week. He’s also offering a juicy $3.80 to kick 3+. If you want a safer leg, include him for two goals at $1.90. 

Patrick Cripps 25 touches + a goal

Cripps is the Blues captain and has been well below his best in the last month, having failed to gather more than 25 touches. This has seen his odds balloon out to $1.78 to get 25  against the Power. Combine this with Cripps to kick a goal at $1.78 and you’ve got a nice little multi, that you could flesh out further with super consistent Port stars like Connor Rozee and Butters. 

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Port Adelaide v Carlton prediction

Arguably the two most disappointing teams in the AFL this year, both get an opportunity to keep their flickering finals hopes alive. The Power deserve to be favourites at home against a team that capitulated to North Melbourne, and look to have too much class through the midfield and more scoring options. The Blues have problems on almost every line of the field at the moment, including with star man Curnow, which means there is just too much risk picking them. Our final Port Adelaide v Carlton prediction? Power by 13 points.