As we head into Round 2 of the 2016 AFL Season, I take a look at each game and suggest my best bets and who to tip. There are once again some massive games to preview and Friday night’s match between Collingwood and Richmond is sure to be a cracking start to the round.
When: Friday, April 1 at 7:50pm AEDT
Where: Melbourne Cricket Ground
A tough game to start the round with both sides coming off disappointing performances last week. Although the Tigers won their opening game last week they were far from their best and will be looking to improve. Collingwood on the other hand were completely outplayed last week and will be looking to turn it around.
In 2015 the sides met twice, Richmond got the chocolates at both meetings. It was in round 21 however that the Tigers really put them to the sword with a 91 point thumping. That’s a loss that’s hard to turn around in just over 6 months.
When: Saturday, April 2 at 1:15pm AEDT
Where: Adelaide Oval
This game looks set to be the match of the round. The showdown is always a tough game to pick and even harder so soon in the season. Both teams are not only competing against each other they are competing for the city of Adelaide. It’s yet to be seen which of the two sides looms as the better team for season 2016.
There hasn’t been a consecutive winner between these clubs since the move to Adelaide Oval. It was Adelaide who won a 3-point thriller in round 16 last season to get the points and I’m tipping them here again. Eddie Betts loves the big stage and I’m expecting him to get the Crows home in front of a home crowd.
When: Saturday, April 2 at 2:10pm AESD
Where: Melbourne Cricket Ground
Last week went as expected for Essendon, it’s going to be a long year for the Dons. Melbourne will be full of confidence coming off a come from behind win last week. Although Melbourne were defeated by the Bombers last time they met it’s just going to be far too hard to pick the Bombers at all this season.
It’s bound to be an emotional match with the Bomber fans rallying behind their side for their first home game and as juicy as the +38.5 line looks I just have no confidence in the Bombers just yet.
When: Saturday, April 2 at 3:35pm AEDT
Where: The Gabba
It’s odd, Brisbane found themselves on the wrong side of a 64 point thrashing last week and yet I found myself to be impressed by the Lions. Clearly the Eagles are rated highly, I’m tipping them to be minor premiers, but for the lions to kick over 100 points in Perth is a encouraging sign.
I still can’t tip them here, they’ll win some good games of football at the Gabba this season but North Melbourne are an impressive unit and I can’t see them dropping 4 points against Brisbane. I’m tipping North to clear the line simply on the back of the fact they had a 12 goal win against the Lions at the Gabba late last season.
When: Saturday, April 2 at 7:25pm AEDT
Where: Etihad Stadium
I think both sides caught many by surprise last week, particularly the Bulldogs who thumped last years minor premiers. The Bulldogs are going to be one hell of a tough side to beat at Etihad Stadium this year. St Kilda on the other hand only gained more fans after a courageous performance against Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval.
The Bulldogs are too short for me at $1.25 so I think the bet here is St Kilda at the line. Probably a no bet match for me though.
When: Saturday, April 2 at 4:40pm AWST
Where: Domain Stadium
The Dockers are desperate to turn their form around after coming off an embarrassing loss last week. Gold Coast are coming off a soft win against Essendon, a game which we didn’t learn a lot from. I was quite disappointed with their performance actually. While they still won easily the errors would have cost them against any half decent side. That said this is the real test for the Suns, they’ll know they will need to perform better against the Dockers and I expect them to do so.
As much as I would love to, I can’t back the Suns in Perth. Fremantle are just too good a side to drop a game like this at home. However the bet for me here is Gold Coast at the line, if they don’t make as many basic errors as last week I think they should beat the line.
When: Sunday, April 3 at 1:10pm AEST
Where: Manuka Oval
Off topic for a moment here but surely I’m not the only one disappointed with the fact GWS are playing their first home game of the season in Canberra?
Anyway, we saw some glimpses of how good both these sides can be last week. The Cats impressive win over Hawthorn caught the attention of many and GWS will be kicking themselves for dropping that game against Melbourne.
I’m finding it hard to tip against Geelong given the fact they have never lost to GWS but feel the value here is with the Giants.
When: Sunday, April 3 at 3:20pm AEST
Where: Melbourne Cricket Ground
What a game this is going to be. A Grand Final repeat and a possible preview to the 2016 Grand Final. West Coast need to win this game. They’re going up against an undermanned Hawthorn side and have the chance to send them into round 3 without a win. The confidence they would get out of beating the Hawks at home could be the difference come finals time.
You can never underestimate the Hawks though. They are too good a side to let a few injuries bring down a team. They’ll have their backs against the wall and be incredibly tough to beat.
I have already mentioned how highly I rate the Eagles the $1.75 on offer is probably the best price you will get for them all season H2H. But I can’t back against the Hawks at home. Let’s just hope it’s a cracking game.
When: Sunday, April 3 at 4:40pm AEST
Where: Etihad Stadium
I think the Blues left a lot of people impressed last week with their narrow defeat against Richmond. Sydney on the other hand have clearly left a lot of people impressed thumping the Pies.
I think the Swans are every chance of repeating the pain the inflicted in round 1, they’ll see the Blues as an easy kill and I expect them to win accordingly. The challenge here is to see whether Carlton can back up their round 1 performance.
For me this is a no bet game but if I had to have a punt I’d back Sydney to clear the line.
