Adelaide v St Kilda: AFL Sunday preview

Adelaide Crows welcome St Kilda to the Adelaide Oval on Sunday as both sides aim to start the new AFL season with a victory and put behind them disappointing 2024 campaigns.

The Crows finished way down in 15th place on the ladder after winning just eight of their 23 games played, while Saints ended up three places and ten points better off, with both teams way off the Finals pace.

Adelaide have not made Finals since going all the way to the 2017 Grand Final, where they were beaten by Richmond Tigers, while Saints extended their season in 2023 but lost out to Greater Western Sydney in their Eliminator.

Adelaide v St Kilda betting preview

Nicks has new options at his disposal

Crows head coach Matthew Nicks has several new faces to bolster his squad, who saw Rory Sloane retire at the end of last season, while Elliott Himmelberg left as a free agent to join Gold Coast Suns.

Forward Alex Neal-Bullen and midfielder James Peatling have joined on trade deals from Melbourne Demons and Greater Western Sydney Giants respectively, while defender Isaac Cumming has signed as a free agent from GWS.

They are all expected to start against the Saints, as is draftee midfielder Sid Harper, who has impressed enough to earn himself and AFL debut on Sunday.

Defenders Max Michalanney and Mark Keane have both proved their fitness and have won the nod from Nicks, while Wayne Milera returns after a long-term absence due to a knee injury to finally make his 100th appearance in the AFL.

Adelaide will be out to complete a hat-trick of victories over the Saints, with the Crows having triumphed 71-39 at the Adelaide Oval last season and 121-69 during the 2023 campaign.

Forward options limited for Saints

Visitors St Kilda head into the new season already hampered by a number of injury problems, especially among their forwards.

Mitch Owens misses out due to a shoulder injury sustained during a practice match and he joins Max King (knee), Dan Butler (Achilles), Cooper Sharman (thumb) and Mattaes Phillipou (leg) on the sidelines.

Defender Arie Schoenmaker has been drafted in as the replacement for Owens, while several players stand by to make their debuts - Harry Boyd, Max Hall and Liam O'Connell, as well as Isaac Keeler and Hugh Boxshall possibly.

The versatile Zak Jones is set to make his 150th AFL appearance after being named on the bench, while much will be expected of new midfield recruit Jack Macrae.

The 30-year-old 6ft 4in midfielder has joined the Saints after more than a decade with Western Bulldogs and his first appearance for his new side will also be his 250th in the AFL.

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Adelaide v St Kilda odds

Adelaide - 1.31
St Kilda - 3.50

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.