Carlton Blues v Collingwood Magpies
Friday, April 6 7:50pm, MCG
Round 3 begins with arch-rivals Carlton and Collingwood playing on Friday night footy. Both sides are 0-2 this season so that adds extra spice to this matchup. For the Magpies, they challenged the Giants last week but injuries ultimately cost them in the end. They're starting to mount as Darcy Moore is now out for a month. While for the Blues, they were comfortably defeated by the Suns at Etihad. The two sides met just once last season and the Blues were victorious 79-56. So I’ll be expecting another low scoring contest this Friday. The Blues are 19-10 ATS at the MCG and they did look good early against Richmond in Round 1. So they should keep this close.
Stadium Record
This season, the Blues hold a 0-1 record at the MCG. Which they lost against the Tigers in Round 1. In 2018, the Magpies hold a 0-2 record at the MCG.
Head to Head Record
The Blues have a 2-1 record since the 2016 season. In Round 7 last season, the Blues comfortably defeated the Magpies by 23 points at the MCG.
Best Bet
Port Adelaide Power v Brisbane Lions
Saturday, April 7 1:45pm, Adelaide Oval
The Power have started the season with two impressive wins so far. They beat the Swans at the SCG last week and smashed the Dockers in Round 1. So they should start well against the Lions. In the last 4 meetings, they have smashed the Lions by 40+ as well. Brisbane has looked improved in defence with Luke Hodge but they’ve still lost both matches due to lack of scoring. So this will be a tough matchup against the in-form Power.
Stadium Record
In 2018, the Power holds a 1-0 record at the Adelaide Oval. Which they won against the Dockers by 50 points. This is the first match for the Lions at the Adelaide Oval since Round 13 2017 and they lost that match by 40 points.
Head to Head Record
The Power have a 4-0 record since the 2016 season. Firstly in Round 6 last season, the Power thrashed the Lions by 83 points. Then in Round 13 last season, the Power comfortably won by 40 points.
Best Bet
Melbourne Demons v North Melbourne Kangaroos
Saturday, April 7 2:10pm, MCG
This is a really interesting matchup between the Demons and Kangaroos. Melbourne comfortably beat the Lions at the Gabba last week. But they haven’t beaten the Roos since 2006. The Kangaroos shocked the AFL with a huge win over the Saints last round 95-43. The Demons are kind of a similar side so they should be confident of another upset. They Roos are a taller side and the likes of Ben Brown/Jarrod Waite should take advantage up forward. They also have a strong defence and should be able to stop Jesse Hogan and co. So I’ll be taking the Roos at the line.
Stadium Record
This season, the Demons are 0-1 at the MCG. They lost against the Cats by 3 points in Round 1. This is the first match for the Kangaroos at the MCG since Round 9 2017 and they won that match by 14 points.
Head to Head Record
The Kangaroos haven't lost against the Demons since 2006. Last season, they won both matches by 1-39.
Best Bet
Gold Coast Suns v Fremantle Dockers
Saturday, April 7 4:35pm, Optus Stadium
The Suns and Dockers both won last week so this is an important matchup at Optus Stadium. Not many AFL fans would of predicted a 2-0 start for the Suns but the influence of Stuart Dew has proved the difference. They're again underdogs in the betting and this is mostly due to the travel factor. The Dockers were impressive against the Bombers in their first ever match at the new stadium. Their defence was the key against Joe Daniher and they’ll need the same against Tom Lynch. He’s coming off 8 goals and I’m confident in Ross Lyon’s game-plan to stop him. So I’ll be backing the Dockers to win this at home by under 39 points.
Stadium Record
The Suns have never played at Optus Stadium. This season, the Dockers are 1-0 at Optus Stadium. They beat the Bombers by 16 points last week.
Head to Head Record
The Suns have a 2-1 record since the 2016 season. In Round 20 last season, the Dockers defeated the Suns by 23 points.
Best Bet
Sydney Swans v GWS Giants
Saturday, April 7 7:25pm, SCG
Saturday night is arguably the match of the round as the Swans host the Giants at the SCG. The Giants are sitting pretty at the top of the ladder with two solid wins. Their midfield is on fire and the key will be winning the clearances against the Swans. Sydney collapsed against the Power last week and will need to improve their forward entries against the Giants strong defence. They seem to be very Buddy centric at the moment and he’ll likely get double teamed. So in the recent meetings, the Giants have a 3-1 record against the Swans. It wouldn’t surprise me if the Giants won this but I'll stick with the short line as Sydney will likely respond from last week's effort.
Stadium Record
This season, the Swans hold a 0-1 record at the SCG. Which they lost against the Power last round. This is the first match for the Giants at the SCG since Round 5 2017, which they won by 42 points against the Swans.
Head to Head Record
The Giants have a 3-2 record since the 2016 season. First of all in Round 5 last season, the Giants comfortably won by 42 points at the SCG. Later in Round 17 last season, the Swans won by 13 points at Spotless Stadium.
Best Bet
St Kilda Saints v Adelaide Crows
Saturday, April 7 7:25pm, Etihad Stadium
The Saints were arguably the worst side in Round 2 as the Kangaroos smashed them. So it doesn’t get any easier against the Crows this week. They rebounded after a loss against the Bombers with an impressive display against the Tigers at home. The return of Tex Walker helped Josh Jenkins the most as he dominated the forward line. They have a few injury concerns with Matt Crouch’s hamstring. But in the end, the Crows have won the last 7 matches against the Saints and the last 6 wins have been by 40+.
Stadium Record
In 2018, the Saints are 1-1 at Etihad Stadium. Also in 2018, the Crows are 0-1 at Etihad Stadium. Which they lost against the Bombers in Round 1.
Head to Head Record
The Crows have a 7-0 record against the Saints and won the last matchup 111-54.
Best Bet
Richmond Tigers v Hawthorn Hawks
Sunday, April 8 1:10pm, MCG
After an epic win over the Cats, the Hawks will aim for a 3-0 start against the Tigers. On the other hand, the Tigers are coming off a Thursday defeat in Adelaide. But they will start as favourites in this clash, mainly because of the few extra day’s rest after the Hawks played on Monday. But winning momentum is the key and the Hawks have it. They’re strong in the midfield with Tom Mitchell dominating. While up forward, they made the Cats defence look very average in Round 2. The Tigers struggled in defence last week and the pressure on Alex Rance will be high. So in the end, this should be another close contest and I like the value for the Hawks at the line.
Stadium Record
This season, the Tigers hold a 1-0 record at the MCG. Which they won against the Blues by 26 points. Also this season, the Hawks hold a 2-0 record at the MCG.
Head to Head Record
The Hawks have a 2-1 record since the 2016 season. In Round 20 last season, the Tigers comfortably won by 29 points at the MCG.
Best Bet
Western Bulldogs v Essendon Bombers
Sunday, April 8 3:20pm, Etihad Stadium
The Bulldogs are 3-0 against the Bombers but after their first two rounds, it’s hard to back them here. They’ve been smashed by the Giants and Eagles at this venue. They lack a tall forward and the injuries to the defence have shown. While for the Bombers, they could easily be 0-2 as well despite a 4th quarter comeback against the Crows. So both sides aren’t looking great so far. But the Bulldogs aren’t a great side in defence and that spells trouble against Joe Daniher and co at Etihad. They have a stronger midfield as well and that should be the key in a win for the Bombers.
Stadium Record
This season, the Bulldogs are 0-1 at Etihad Stadium. Which they lost against the Eagles last round. In 2018, the Bombers are 1-0 at Etihad Stadium. Which they won against the Crows by 12 points in Round 1.
Head to Head Record
The Bulldogs have a 3-0 record against the Bombers.
Best Bet
West Coast Eagles v Geelong Cats
Sunday, April 8 4:40pm, Optus Stadium
The round ends with the Eagles back at their new home, this time against the Cats. The Eagles young forwards looked impressive, especially Liam Ryan, as they dominated the Bulldogs last week. After a tough Monday loss, the Cats will now have to travel across the country and that could hurt their chances. They also struggled down back without Harry Taylor and that will help the Eagles easily kick goals in this matchup. Nic Nat should also help them in the midfield as they look to quell the influence of Dangerfield, Selwood and Ablett. The Eagles have a 2-0 record in Perth against the Cats and they should win this one.
Stadium Record
In 2018, the Eagles hold a 0-1 record at Optus Stadium. Which they lost against the Swans in Round 1. The Cats have never played at Optus Stadium.
Head to Head Record
The two teams are tied with a 1-1 record since the 2016 season. In Round 13 last season, the Eagles defeated the Cats by 13 points.
Best Bet
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