2022 AFL Round 2 Betting Predictions
Round 2 features Buddy's quest for 1000 goals on Friday night footy, the Blues search for a 2-0 start and a GF rematch between the Tigers and Giants.
Western Bulldogs (17th) vs Carlton Blues (5th)
The Dogs started the season with a 26 pt loss against the Dees as they will rue a slow start in the first quarter. However, Bailey Smith was one their best on field with 33 touches and 11 tackles.
Carlton come off a rare Round 1 victory over the Tigers on Thursday after a huge comeback in the 4th quarter. Cripps was easily best on ground with 3 goals and 30 disposals. Kennedy and Cerra were great in the midfield with 30+ disposals a goal each. Sam Docherty's goal was one of the highlights of the game as well.
Led by the form of Patty Cripps, we can see the Blues taking it to the Dogs for the 4 quarters and getting within 2 goals.
Stadium Record
The Dogs have lost 3 straight at Marvel. Carlton are 2-3 at this venue in their last 5.
Head to Head Record
The Bulldogs have won 7 of the last 9 meetings.
Best Bet
Sydney Swans (6th) vs Geelong Cats (1st)
The Swans rallied to beat the Giants in Round 1 on the back of a brilliant display by Luke Parker. He kicked 5 goals and was given support by Heeney / Florent as the trio combined for 11 goals. Buddy was kept quiet by Phil Davis but he loves Friday night footy and needs just 4 goals to hit the 1000 mark.
Geelong smashed the Bombers on Saturday by 66 points in a perfect start to the season. Hawkins and new recruit - Tyson Stengle both kicked 4 goals. Patrick Dangerfield looked in great touch with 31 touches and a goal.
This should be a close game but it's hard to back against the Cats as underdogs. They have a nice record against the Swans and I just can't see Sydney getting 11 goals out of three players again. So kicking 100+ pts is likely going to be tougher against the Cats.
Stadium Record
Sydney are 4-1 at the SCG in their last 5. Geelong have won 3 of their last 4 at the SCG.
Head to Head Record
The Cats have won 4 of their last 5 against Sydney.
Best Bet
Collingwood Magpies (7th) vs Adelaide Crows (10th)
The Pies continued their good form against the Saints with a 17 pt win on Friday night. Lipinski was excellent in his first game for the Pies and De Goey kicked 2 goals. Nick Daicos also looked solid on debut with 27 touches. They will head to the 'G with a lot of confidence.
Adelaide played in a heartbreaking 1 pt loss against the Dockers on Sunday. They came alive in the 3rd quarter with 6 goals. But otherwise, they struggled to hit the scoreboard. However, Josh Rachele kicked 5 goals in his first AFL game, which is exciting for Adelaide fans.
The Pies looked the better side in Round 1 and will have the advantage of a longer break. They also have a nice record against the Crows and should get a boost from the MCG crowd.
Stadium Record
The Pies are 2-3 in their last 5 games at the MCG. Adelaide are 0-5 at the MCG since the 2017 GF.
Head to Head Record
Collingwood are 4-0 against Adelaide since 2018.
Best Bet
Essendon Bombers (18th) vs Brisbane Lions (8th)
Round 1 was a forgettable performance by the Bombers as they lost by 66 pts against Geelong. The only brightspot was a 5 goal performance by rookie Nic Martin. However, they've lost Langford for 10 weeks and they'll be desperate for Stringer to return.
Brisbane overcame a tough battle with the Power on Saturday with an important 11 pt win. Lachie Neale was everywhere as he racked up 31 disposals and 7 clearances. Daniher kicked 4 and will enjoy this matchup with his former team.
Essendon looked off the pace in Round 1 and the Lions will likely make them pay. Joe Daniher should kick a bag and lead the Lions to a comfortable victory.
Stadium Record
The Bombers are 5-0 at Marvel. Brisbane have won their last 3 games at this venue.
Head to Head Record
Brisbane are 3-2 against the Bombers since 2017.
Best Bet
Port Adelaide Power (11th) vs Hawthorn Hawks (3rd)
Port not only lost against the Lions by 2 goals but their depth will be tested after a few injuries. Aliir Aliir is out for 6 weeks and he could be joined on the sidelines by Gray/McKenzie/Duursma.
The Hawks ran out the game against the Roos with a 20 pt win on Sunday. Gunston and Lewis both kicked 3 up forward. Meanwhile, Sicily and Jiath were excellent across half-back.
The Power may struggle after key injuries against the Lions and the Hawks should take confidence out of their second half in Round 1.
Stadium Record
Port are 3-1 in their last 4 games at the Adelaide Oval. The Hawks have lost 4 of their last 5 in Adelaide.
Head to Head Record
The Power are 3-2 against the Hawks in the last 5 meetings.
Best Bet
Gold Coast Suns (4th) vs Melbourne Demons (2nd)
The Suns got the job done over in the West with a 27 pt win over the Eagles. Rowell and Touk Miller controlled the game in the midfield. Meanwhile, Rankine kicked 4 goals and Casboult/Chol gave the Suns a good target up forward.
The defending champs are 1-0 after a 26 pt win over the Dogs. After winning the Norm Smith in the GF, Petracca continued his red-hot form against the Dogs with 38 touches and 2 goals. Oliver was also strong with 32 disposals and 6 clearances.
Melbourne will have a huge advantage after playing on Wednesday and the Suns played on Sunday night in Perth. While the Suns do look better in 2022, the Dees by 1-39 looks the best play.
Stadium Record
Gold Coast are 0-4 in their last 4 games at Metricon. Melbourne have won 3 of their last 5 on the Gold Coast.
Head to Head Record
Melbourne hold a 9-0 record against the Suns and haven't lost against them since 2014.
Best Bet
North Melbourne Kangaroos (16th) vs West Coast Eagles (15th)
North will be disappointed with a 20 pt loss against the Hawks after they led in the first half. However, Simpkin and Davies-Uniacke were the standouts in the midfield. Luke McDonald also controlled the backline with 12 marks.
The Eagles are going though an injury crisis and come off a 27 pt loss at home against the Suns. However, they could get Darling and Shuey back for this clash if they get through fitness tests.
Tough game to pick with both sides not looking great in Round 1. But the Roos poor record at Marvel and the Eagles likely having a few key players back should get them over the line.
Stadium Record
North have lost 11 of their last 12 at Marvel. The Eagles are 4-2 at this venue in their last 6.
Head to Head Record
The Eagles have won 5 of the last 7 meetings.
Best Bet
Richmond Tigers (14th) vs GWS Giants (13th)
Not a great start for the Tigers are getting overrun by the Blues in a 101-76 defeat on Thursday. However, Shai Bolton was excellent with 3 goals and an injury to Dion Prestia was tough to overcome for their midfield. He's out for 4 weeks along with Jack Riewoldt. So Tom Lynch will be the key target up forward.
The Giants head to the MCG after a 20 pt loss against the Swans on Saturday. They lacked a forward target without Greene or Hogan. But Tom Green and Tim Taranto played well for the Giants.
The Tigers have a good record against interstate teams at the MCG. GWS are without key players up forward and the Tigers should have enough pts in them to get the win.
Stadium Record
Richmond lost at the MCG last week and have won just 1 of their last 7. The Giants are 3-2 at the MCG.
Head to Head Record
The Tigers are 3-2 in the last 5 meetings, including the 2019 GF victory over the Giants.
Best Bet
Fremantle Dockers (9th) vs St. Kilda Saints (12th)
A huge win for the Dockers in Round 1 after beating the Crows by a point in Adelaide. Without Nat Fyfe, Brayshaw was outstanding with 28 disposals and 8 clearances. Their forward line performed well but they would like to improve their conversion rate against the Saints.
St. Kilda struggled against the Pies in their Round 1, 102-85 defeat. However, Jack Hayes would give the Saints hope after a 3 goal performance on debut. Rowan Marshall was also great in the ruck against Grundy.
It's a tough trip for the Saints and their injury list/form doesn't look great. The Dockers by 1-39 looks the best bet on their home turf.
Stadium Record
The Dockers are 3-2 at Optus Stadium in their last 5 games. St Kilda are yet to win at this venue in 4 attempts.
Head to Head Record
Fremantle have won 3 of their last 5 meetings and have won the last 2 matchups at Optus Stadium.
Best Bet
