<p>The Crows are absolutely flying in 2025.&nbsp;</p> <p>It finally looks like it’s coming together for Matthew Nicks’ team, a squad that former St Kilda champion and respected commentator Nick Riewoldt said was good enough to win the premiership this year.&nbsp;</p> <p>While questions remain about their credentials against top-quality opposition, they are doing everything they can to put themselves in a strong position.&nbsp;</p> <p>They brushed aside Richmond with ease last Sunday at the MCG. Their attacking style was very evident as they continued to improve and increase their scoring numbers, making them the highest-scoring team in the competition.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Demons’ mid-season form resurgence has begun to fade. Consecutive losses before and after the mid-season bye—including a lackluster first quarter last week against Gold Coast—dealt a final blow to their hopes of a finals spot.</p> <p>Though they surged home against the Suns, they still paid the price for a lack of polish in the forward half and ultimately lamented a goalless start. Realistically, it’s been a wasted season for Melbourne.&nbsp;</p> <p>They’ve shown glimpses of being a good football team, but far too often, they have looked second-rate. Their third trip to Adelaide this season is likely their toughest challenge yet. Let's see if they can handle the Crows' heat.&nbsp;</p> <p>On the team selection front, the Crows’ fortunate run with injuries continued, with no casualties from the game against the Tigers. Forward Luke Pedlar, who lost his spot to a returning James Peatling, has a corked quad and is pushing to return if he gets through training. Zac Taylor is also in contention for a forward spot after kicking four goals in the SANFL.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Dees will lose both Harrison Petty and Blake Howes through concussion protocols, opening the door for Jake Lever to make a quick return in what could be a rare matchup against his old side at Adelaide Oval.&nbsp;</p> <p>Charlie Spargo could return pending a fitness test, while Ollier Sestan, Tom Fullarton, Jai Culley, Caleb Windsor, and Jack Billings all pushed their case through the VFL.&nbsp;</p> <p>For the latest team news, analysis, odds, and betting tips, check out our Crows vs Dees prediction and preview below.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Adelaide vs Melbourne Predicted Teams</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Adelaide Predicted Team List</h3> <p>B: Josh Worrell, Jordan Butts, Rory Laird</p> <p>HB: Wayne Milera, Mark Keane, Max Michalanney</p> <p>C: Brodie Smith, Jordan Dawson, Isaac Cumming</p> <p>HF: Dan Curtin, Riley Thilthorpe, Ben Keays</p> <p>F: Alex Neal-Bullen, Taylor Walker, Darcy Fogarty</p> <p>Foll: Reilley O’Brien, Izak Rankine, Jake Soligo</p> <p>Int: Sam Berry, Mitch Hinge, Josh Rachele, James Peatling, Zac Taylor</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Melbourne Predicted Team List</h3> <p>B: Jake Bowey, Steven May, Christian Salem</p> <p>HB: Judd McVee, Jake Lever, Daniel Turner</p> <p>C: Ed Langdon, Christian Petracca, Xavier Lindsay</p> <p>HF: Harvey Langford, Matt Jefferson, Bayley Fritsch</p> <p>F: Kysaiah Pickett, Jake Melksham, Kade Chandler</p> <p>Foll: Max Gawn, Clayton Oliver, Jack Viney</p> <p>Int: Koltyn Thostrup, Trent Rivers, Tom Sparrow, Harry Sharp, Caleb Windsor</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Adelaide vs Melbourne Prediction &amp; Betting Tips</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Head-to-Head Prediction</h3> <p>The Dees hold sway in the recent head-to-head battles, winning four of the past five battles with the Crows.</p> <p>Melbourne has also performed strongly against the Crows at the Adelaide Oval, winning four of the past five matches at the ground.</p> <p>While the record is strong, this is a different Crows side they’re running into. It’s a Crow's side with its act together.&nbsp;</p> <p>They’ve elevated themselves to the best overall profile in the competition according to Wheelo Ratings, with the third-best attack/ territory and second-best defence.&nbsp;</p> <p>They are the highest-scoring team in the competition with different avenues to goal, both tall and short. But, in the final eight weeks, they will need to work out what their best mix is moving forward, and as they head into finals footy.</p> <p>But this week, that forward group would be looking at that Demons defence, with an out-of-sorts Steven May in it, and thinking they can put up a big score.&nbsp;</p> <p>They’ve only lost once at Adelaide Oval this season to the Crows, and we don’t anticipate them dropping this one to the Dees here.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip</strong>: <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/adelaide-crows-v-melbourne-9366248">Crows</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>First Goal Prediction</h3> <p>Dees veteran Jake Melksham has continued to defy his age this year and has declared his desire to play on next year. The 33-year-old, coming off a career-best five-goal haul last week, has kicked 16 goals in 11 games this season.&nbsp;</p> <p>We’re backing him to kick the first.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip</strong>: <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/adelaide-crows-v-melbourne-9366248">Jake Melksham</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Most Disposals Prediction</h3> <p>Coming into the season, most people would have thought the Brownlow Medal was a one or two horse race. But the Crows' captain Jordan Dawson is mounting a serious charge at the gong with several vote-getting performances.&nbsp;</p> <p>Start in the middle, follow the ball, and then push forward and take a contested mark. It’s a skillset that would be what any young player would hope to model their game on to depict modern footy.</p> <p>He’s our pick to gather the most ball here, and another three votes to boot.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip</strong>: <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/adelaide-crows-v-melbourne-9366248">Jordan Dawson 30+ disposals</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Adelaide Crows vs Melbourne Demons Match Details</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Date</strong>: Sunday, July 6, 2025</p> <p><strong>First Bounce</strong>: 3:15 PM AEST</p> <p><strong>Location</strong>: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide</p> <p><strong>How to watch</strong>: Channel 7, Fox Footy/Kayo Sports</p>