Adelaide vs Melbourne Preview & Prediction | 2025 AFL | Regular Season | Round 17
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The final match of Round 17 sees top four Adelaide, in red-hot form with the league’s best percentage, host a struggling Melbourne side reeling from three straight losses and mounting criticism over their lacklustre performances.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / US – Some matches are televised on Fox Sports channels
How to watch online: UK – discovery+ & Watch AFL / US – Watch AFL
The prediction
The Adelaide Crows (3rd) are in scintillating form. Coming off their bye, they travelled to the MCG and systematically dismantled Richmond by 68 points (122-54). This was their fourth win in their last five games, establishing them as a genuine premiership threat.
Riley Thilthorpe was a dominant presence for the Crows in the win. He was a constant threat in the air, marking strongly and finishing with an equal-career-high five goals.
Melbourne (14th) have slumped, losing their last three matches. Their most recent defeat was a 19-point loss to the Gold Coast Suns (85-104), a game in which they trailed by 36 points at the first change and never recovered.
In a team that was well beaten by the Suns, Christian Petracca was one of the few who could hold his head high. He worked relentlessly in the midfield, finishing with 32 disposals and 7 clearances as he tried to spark his team. Jake Melksham also tried hard, booting five goals.
Melbourne provides a statistical anomaly, having won the last three clashes between the two sides, including a 15-point victory at Adelaide Oval in 2024. Despite this, Adelaide holds the overall historical advantage, 26-20.
While Melbourne's recent record against the Crows is worth noting, the current form lines could not be more different. Adelaide is winning with authority, reflected in their league-best percentage. A repeat of Melbourne's shocking first quarter against the Suns would see this game over before it truly begins.
Adelaide vs Melbourne tip: Adelaide to win by 40+ points
