Richmond Tigers vs Collingwood Magpies
March 28th (Thursday 7.20pm) MCG
Tigers did the job against the Blues last week in a game but that has come at a cost for the Tigers with Alex Rance doing his knee and has been ruled out for the season. This is big for the Tigers as he is one of the best defenders in the League and would of wanted revenge on Mason Cox for what Mason did in last season's prelim final. On the other hand the Pies went down to the red hot Cats last friday in a classic game. A few mistakes late in the game cost the Pies victory but I wouldn't worry about a round 1 defeat. Pies lost their first two games last year and went on to make a Grand Final. This game will be tough and a battle of the forward lines. If Lynch and Riewoldt get loose and start kicking a few goals it will be hard for the Pies defenders to hold them. For the Pies to win this game they need to exploit the Tigers smaller defenders and it is a big week for Mason Cox and Jordan De Goey. I am tipping the Tigers in a tight contest because their mids led by Dustin Martin, Trent Cotchin and Dion Prestia will have too much class for the Pies midfield who is missing Taylor Adams who straightens them up.
Head to Head
Pies have only beat the Tigers once out of the last five encounters.
Best Bet
Tigers win $1.85
Tigers 1-39 $2.48
Sydney Swans Vs Adelaide Crows
March 29th (Friday 7.50pm) SCG
If you told me the Swans would lose to the Dogs and the Crows to lose to the Hawks at home I would have been shocked. Two dismal performances from two sides that I have in my top and competing for a top four spot. On the positive side for the Swans they are back at their fortress of a home ground. They looked good in patches vs the Dogs but left their run a little to late and the dogs kicked the last two goals of the game. Lance Franklin had a game to forget but you can’t keep Buddy down for to long and will be back to his best vs the Crows. The Crows on the other hand were expected to bounce back from such a horrible 2018 those demons seemed to come back to haunt them last week vs the Hawks. Never looked like winning in raining conditions that I thought would of suited them. Tipping the Swans to win this game and it wouldn’t surprise me if they won by a lot.
H2H
Very even in the H2H Swans winning 3 out of the last 5 encounters
Best Bet
Swans -5.5 $1.90
Essendon Bombers vs St Kilda Saints
March 30th (Saturday 4.35pm) Marvel Stadium
The Bombers played their worst game of football since the drug scandal last week vs the Giants. In a game they were expected to compete they were second to the ball all day and the effort wasn’t there. That is not a John Worsfold side; I would be scared if I was a Saints player and supporter this weekend. Expect the Bombers to come out and destroy the Saints. Yes the Saints won last week but it was vs Gold Coast and they did their best to lose the game. Shiel, Heppell, Merrett and Stringer for the Bombers had horrible games last week but they are leaders and genuine a graders so expect a better showing. It will be ugly at Marvel.
H2H
Bombers beat the Saints last year by 50+ I expect the same.
Best bet
Essendon -20.5 $1.90
Port Adelaide vs Carlton Blues
March 30th (Saturday 4.40pm) Adelaide Oval
Last weekend the Power showed the competition that they can be the real deal. Their young kids were sensational vs a Demons side that everyone expects to make the Grand Final and win it. The run out of the back line proved to be a winning play for the Power. Jack Watts played one of his best games for the club and Motlop and Westoff were on fire. They will beat the Blues and beat them well. Carlton showed some fight vs the Tigers last week but again just out classed and they will find it hard to beat the Power on their home deck.
H2H
The Power have beaten the Blues in the last two games but convincingly score lines.
Best bet
Power +40 $2.25
Geelong Cats vs Melbourne Demons
March 30th (Saturday 7.25pm) GMHBA Stadium
Match of the round. The Cats had the wood over the Demons in the home and away season last year beating them twice after the siren. The Demons got their revenge in the finals beating the Cats at the MCG by 30 points. The Cats were great last week and that is because their leaders stood up. Tim Kelly was fantastic his delivery to forwards was amazing for a second year player. The Demons on the hand were woeful vs the Power. It looked like the Power were double teaming Max Gawn and he couldn’t get near his dominating best. This game will be a lot closer than people think but home ground advantage will get the Cats over the line.
H2H
The Cats have won 4 of the last 5 games vs the Demons.
Best bet
Demons +10.5 $1.90
Geelong 1-39 $2.25
West Coast Eagles vs Greater Western Sydney Giants
March 30th (Saturday 5.10pm) Optus Stadium
Another great Saturday night installed. The Eagles are unveiling their premiership flag from 2018 and they have a host of stars playing milestone games in captain Shannon Hurn 250th, Chris Masten 200th and Josh Kennendy 200th for the Eagles. The Eagles played a red hot Brisbane Lions team last week and got a footy lesson. Beat in the contest and couldn’t get out of first gear. I would say the coaching team put that in the forget file and will be very eager to get back on their home deck to face a young Giants team who will want to spoil the party. The Giants last week were fantastic taking on the Bombers and smashing them all around the ground. The Giants midfield led by Stephen Conglio were delivering their forwards with quality ball which led to a lot of goals. This will be a tight contest and could go both ways. Would not surprise me if the Giants knocked off the Eagles.
H2H
The Giants have won 3 out of the last 5 games vs the Eagles
Best bet
Giants +13.5 $1.90
North Melbourne Kangaroos vs Brisbane Lions
March 31st (Sunday 1.10pm) Marvel Stadium
Looking at this game at the start of the year you would have penciled in an easy win for the Kangaroos but after the Lions smashed the Eagles last week I am tipping a much tighter contest. The Kangaroos last week were shocking vs a Fremantle side that no one rates and had a few off field issues. The Kangaroos get back to their home ground which they play very well and in my opinion will bounce back and beat the Lions. With the new rules Luke Mcdonald from the Kangaroos should be able to give his teammates great delivery from the kick out, he can kick the ball long down the line and their fast mids can utilise this and make it easier to their forwards. The Lions youngsters looked great last week and I hope it wasn’t their grand final last week and put in a solid effort two weeks in a row. Close contest but predict the Kangaroos to bounce back and win well.
H2H
The Kangaroos have won the last 5 games vs the Lions.
Best bet
Kangaroos win $1.85
Kangaroos -2.5 $1.90
Hawthorn Hawks vs Western Bulldogs
March 31st (Sunday 3.20pm) MCG
Two sides that won well last week vs teams that everyone predicts to go deep into September. The Hawks had a very tough win vs the Crows in Adelaide which is never easy and the Dogs won a thriller vs the Swans. This Sunday afternoon game is going to be competitive for a half and then the Hawks will take over the game. The Hawks mids looked very good week and they acquired a very good midfield coach last year in Sam Mitchell. Dogs on the other hand played quick and fast footy that was their game plan with their younger players. Game will be a good Sunday afternoon viewing but the Hawks will be to good.
H2H
Hawks have won 4 out of the last 5 games vs the Dogs.
Best bet
Hawks +40 $3.30
Gold Coast Suns Vs Fremantle Dockers
March 31st (Sunday 3.40pm) Metricon Stadium
Not the greatest game to end round 2 but could be quite interesting viewing if the Suns get going early. They kicked the first 3 goals of the game last week vs the Saints and I thought for awhile they will cause an upset vs the Saints. Their young players should view this game as a game they can win in front of their home fans. The Dockers had a very good game last week absolutely smashing the Kangaroos. Nat Fyfe looked back to his best winning most of his ball on his own. Rory Lobb looked at home and Cameron Mccartney played his best game for the purple haze. On paper the Dockers should win this game well but they are known not to travel well and the Gold Coast is a long way away from Perth. Will be closer than people think.
H2H
The Dockers have won the last 3 games vs the Suns
Best bet
Suns +25.5 $1.90
First team to 25 points - Suns $2.81
