2023 AFL Round 2 Betting Predictions
Thursday night footy at the 'G features the Blues and Cats as both sides look for their first win of the season.
Carlton Blues (9th) vs Geelong Cats (13th)
The Blues played in a scrappy draw against the Tigers to open the season and will start as underdogs against the Cats. It's hard to trust them at the moment after struggling at the MCG lately and they're without Walsh/Hewett in the midfield.
The Cats were overrun by the Pies in Round 1 so they'll look to improve their second-half performances against the Blues. However, an injury to Tom Stewart hurt their backline and they'll be hoping Tom Hawkins can get back to full fitness.
Geelong still kicked 16 goals last week and losing Stewart in the middle of the game hurt their defence. They've covered in their last 6 games after a loss and love playing the Blues. So they should be able to bounce back.
Stadium Record
Carlton are yet to win in their last 5 at the MCG. Geelong lost at this venue last week but have won 4 of their last 5.
Head to Head Record
The Cats have won 4 of the last 5 meetings.
Best Bet
Brisbane Lions (15th) vs Melbourne Demons (3rd)
The Lions simply had a shocker in Round 1 as they were smashed by the Power 126-72. They now face another tough ask against the red-hot Dees at the Gabba. But the Lions should be eager to bounce back and did beat the Demons in the finals last season.
The Demons started the season in perfect fashion as they crushed the Dogs by 50 pts. Kysaiah Pickett starred with 4 goals in the victory but will miss the next 2 weeks due to suspension.
The odds are tight in this one but it's hard to back the Lions after last week. The Dees also hold a 12-0 interstate record and thrashed them by 58 pts at the Gabba in August last year.
Stadium Record
Brisbane are 8-2 at the Gabba in their last 10. Melbourne have won 3 straight at this venue.
Head to Head Record
The Lions won the last meeting in the finals but the Dees are 4-1 in the last 5.
Best Bet
Collingwood (6th) vs Port Adelaide (4th)
The Pies made a statement on Friday night footy with a huge upset over the Cats. De Goey and Bobby Hill both kicked 3 goals. Pendles was brilliant with 8 tackles and the Daicos brothers racked up 62 possessions between them. They'll be tough to beat at the MCG this Saturday as well.
The Power kicked 13 goals in the second half of their 54-point thrashing of the Lions at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday afternoon. New recruits Junior Rioli (3 goals) and Jason Horne-Francis (25 touches) were excellent in their Power debut.
Travelling to beat the Pies is a tough challenge, especially after they took down the Cats. Collingwood also loves playing at the MCG and should get the job done by 2 or more goals.
Stadium Record
Collingwood are 9-1 at the MCG in their last 10. Port has lost 3 of their last 5 at this venue.
Head to Head Record
The Pies are 3-2 in the last 5.
Best Bet
Adelaide Crows (12th) vs Richmond (10th)
The Crows will rue their goal-kicking in Round 1 after kicking 18 behinds in their 106-90 loss against the Giants. However, Izak Rankine was excellent in the first half of his Crows debut and star youngster Josh Rachele also finished with 3 goals.
The Tigers will feel they should've beaten the Blues on Thursday night so they'll be keen to bounce back from the draw. Tim Taranto was brilliant in his first game for the Tigers with 32 disposals and 8 tackles. Lynch also kicked 3 goals, including a crucial set shot in the last minute.
Tough game to pick so I like the form of Tim Taranto. He comes off 32 touches and the Crows gave up 30+ disposals to 3 midfielders last week.
Stadium Record
Adelaide are 4-6 in their last 10 at home. Richmond holds a 3-3 record in their last 6 at the Adelaide Oval.
Head to Head Record
Both sides have won 3 games against each other since the 2017 GF.
Best Bet
Tim Taranto 30+ Disposals = $2.15
Western Bulldogs (16th) vs St Kilda (5th)
The Dogs will be looking for a better performance after they were outplayed by the Dees in Round 1. The main concern is their forward line which only generated 9 goals for the game.
The Saints started the season with an excellent upset win over the Dockers. Crouch and Steele led the way in the midfield with 28+ touches each. Despite a long injury list, their younger players stood up and Ross Lyon will be hoping that continues on Saturday night.
Points will likely be at a premium in this matchup after both sides kicked around 60 pts last week. The Under is also 5-0 at Marvel with the Saints involved.
Stadium Record
The Dogs are 4-1 in their last 5. St Kilda are 5-5 in their last 10 at Marvel.
Head to Head Record
In the last 6 meetings, the head-to-head is tied at 3-3.
Best Bet
Fremantle (14th) vs North Melbourne (8th)
Not a great start for the Dockers as they were kept to just 7 goals in a low-scoring contest last week. But they should get a better matchup against the Roos and will be keen to give their home crowd a show.
The Clarkson era at the Roos started with a thrilling win over the Eagles 87-82. Nick Larkey was dominant up forward with 6 goals and Harry Sheezel earned a rising star nomination with 34 touches.
Freo should be fired up after last week and get a good matchup. They've won the last 4 meetings by 40+ and smashed them 102-24 at this venue last season.
Stadium Record
Fremantle are 7-3 in their last 10 at Optus. North has lost 2 of their 6 games.
Head to Head Record
The Dockers are looking for a 5th straight win over the Roos.
Best Bet
Sydney Swans (2nd) vs Hawthorn (18th)
The Swans put the disappointing GF performance behind them with a 49-point thrashing of the Suns on the Gold Coast. It was a team performance as 9 players finished with 20 or more touches. However, Buddy Franklin will miss this clash against his former side after getting suspended.
The young Hawks started well against the Bombers in Round 1 but faded badly in the 59-point defeat. They're missing a lot of experience so hopefully Sam Mitchell can fix up their second-half fatigue. Otherwise, it will be a long afternoon at the SCG.
New Hawks skipper James Sicily picked up 30 disposals last week and he should rack up the touches down back in this matchup as well.
Stadium Record
Sydney are looking for a 9th straight win at the SCG. Hawthorn has lost 3 of their last 5.
Head to Head Record
The Swans are 3-2 in the last 5 meetings.
Best Bet
James Sicily 25+ Disposals = $1.95
Essendon (1st) vs Gold Coast Suns (17th)
The Bombers put away the Hawks in Round 1 with 19 goals in an impressive 59-point victory. They had 5 players kick 2 or more goals, which is a great sign considering Peter Wright is out for a while. Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti kicking a goal in his comeback to the AFL was a great highlight as well.
The Suns were poor in Round 1 as they were outplayed by the Swans in hot & humid conditions at home. They now head to Marvel Stadium and need to stand up against the in-form Bombers.
It was a great start to the Brad Scott era for the Bombers and they also love playing the Suns. They've won the last 6 meetings in Melbourne.
Stadium Record
Essendon are 4-1 in their last 5 at Marvel. Gold Coast has lost 7 of their last 10 at this venue.
Head to Head Record
The Bombers have the wood over the Suns with 10 wins in their 13 meetings.
Best Bet
West Coast Eagles (11th) vs GWS Giants (7th)
The Eagles almost rallied to beat the Roos last week after kicking 8 goals in the second half. Luke Shuey was one of the standouts despite the loss with 27 touches and 8 tackles. Ginbey also looked good in his AFL debut with 12 tackles. They'll be keen to play well in their first home game, especially after struggling at this venue recently.
The Giants rallied to beat the Crows 106-90 in Round 1 at home. Despite injuries and a poor first half, the Giants dominated the second half with 11 goals to 4. Toby Greene finished with 4 goals and Tom Green was excellent in the midfield with 37 touches.
The trip to Perth for a clash against the Eagles has gotten easier as the away side is 7-1 ATS. West Coast has also lost 18 of their last 19 and the Giants should be confident after their second half last week.
Stadium Record
West Coast has lost 9 of their last 10 at Optus. GWS has lost 7 of their 8 games at this venue.
Head to Head Record
The Giants have won the last 2 meetings.
Best Bet
