PREVIEW OF AFL ROUND-TWO MATCHES (all times AEDT):
FRIDAY, March 31
Western Bulldogs v Sydney at Etihad Stadium, 7.50pm
Head to Head: Bulldogs 80 Swans 76 drawn 1
Last clash: Grand final, 2016 – Bulldogs 13.11 (89) bt Swans 10.7 (67) at MCG
Tab Sportsbet: Bulldogs $1.48 Swans $2.65
William Hill: Bulldogs $1.52 Swans $2.50
Can the Swans gain revenge in the grand-final replay? They’ll certainly have plenty of motivation after being embarrassed at home last week by Port Adelaide. The Bulldogs started their season with a win over Collingwood but weren’t entirely convincing. The Swans will blood three debutants and are set to come out firing in what should be a mouth-watering clash.
Key: The Bulldogs, sorely missing ruckman Jordan Roughead, were smashed last week in the midfield. Expect Sam Naismith and Kurt Tippett to cause plenty of headaches for Tom Boyd and the returning Tom Campbell.
Tip: Swans by 9 points
SATURDAY, April 1
Hawthorn v Adelaide at MCG, 1.45pm
Head to Head: Hawks 20 Crows 18
Last clash: Round 5, 2016 – Hawks 17.10 (112) bt Crows 17.7 (109) at MCG
Tab Sportsbet: Hawks $2.30 Crows $1.63
William Hill: Hawks $2.25 Crows $1.65
The Crows are flying high after belting flag favourites Greater Western Sydney and will take plenty of confidence from the Hawks’ listless performance against Essendon. Hawthorn have swung the axe, dropping four players and recalling tough veteran Luke Hodge from his club-imposed suspension. The Hawks have won the past seven meetings between the two sides but now looms as the perfect chance for Adelaide to break the drought.
Key: The Crows look to be moving the ball much quicker in transition this year, while Hawthorn have often looked slow. If Charlie Cameron and Rory Laird can get off the chain, the Hawks will be in trouble.
Tip: Crows by 14 points
Greater Western Sydney v Gold Coast at Spotless Stadium, 4.35pm
Head to Head: Giants 5 Suns 4
Last clash: Round 20, 2016 – Giants 14.8 (92) bt Suns 13.6 (84) at Metricon Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Giants $1.13 Suns $6.05
William Hill: Giants $1.14 Suns $5.75
Who could have predicted the flag-favourite Giants would suffer the biggest defeat of round one? Leon Cameron’s men looked far from their best against Adelaide but will surely account for the fledgling Suns, who narrowly lost to Brisbane. Gold Coast continue to struggle on the road, only managing one win last season outside Queensland.
Key: Gary Ablett was impressive against Brisbane in his injury return but it will take a mammoth effort to get the better of the deep Giants’ midfield.
Tip: Giants by 47 points
Brisbane v Essendon at Gabba, 7.25pm
Head to Head: Lions 13 Bombers 13 drawn 1
Last clash: Round 18, 2016 – Lions 20.8 (128) bt Bombers 12.19 (91) at Etihad Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Lions $3.00 Bombers $1.40
William Hill: Lions $3.05 Bombers $1.38
The banned Bombers couldn’t have hoped for a better AFL return with their upset win over Hawthorn – now, they have to back it up against a hungry young Lions outfit. It’s possible Essendon might come out flat after the emotion of last week but Jobe Watson, Dyson Heppell and Brendon Goddard should provide a calming influence.
Key: Young star Zach Merrett was enormous for the Bombers last week and looms as their most dangerous playmaker. The Lions must find a way to curb his influence.
Tip: Bombers by 34 points
West Coast v St Kilda at Domain Stadium, 7.40pm
Head to Head: Eagles 27 Saints 17 drawn 1
Last clash: Round 8, 2016 – Eagles 20.12 (132) bt Saints 3.11 (29) at Etihad Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Eagles $1.13 Saints $5.30
William Hill: Eagles $1.15 Saints $5.50
The Saints have lost a little gloss after being comfortably beaten last week by fellow finals contenders Melbourne. They face one of the toughest road trips in the AFL, taking on West Coast in Perth. The Eagles already look a better side with the addition of Sam Mitchell and should prolong the Saints’ poor record at Domain Stadium.
Key: The Saints conceded 18 goals against the Demons and must tighten up if they are to contain reigning Coleman medallist Josh Kennedy, who slotted seven majors against North Melbourne.
Tip: Eagles by 34 points
SUNDAY, April 2
Geelong v North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium, 1.10pm
Head to Head: Cats 96 Kangaroos 63 drawn 1
Last clash: Round 12, 2016 – Cats 15.15 (105) bt Kangaroos 12.2 (74) at Etihad Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Cats $1.23 Kangaroos $4.30
William Hill: Cats $1.22 Kangaroos $4.35
The battle of the Scott brothers – Geelong coach Chris and North’s Brad – enters its seventh season with the two sides in very different positions. The rebuilding Kangaroos were easily beaten by West Coast and could be in for a long year, while Geelong barely had to get out of second gear during their win over Fremantle. Expect the more experienced and polished Cats to notch another win here.
Key: Patrick Dangerfield booted three goals against the Dockers, proving he’ll make an impact wherever he lines up for Geelong. He should be a handful for North’s inexperienced backline.
Tip: Cats by 29 points
Melbourne v Carlton at MCG, 3.20pm
Head to Head: Demons 89 Blues 118 drawn 2
Last clash: Round 22, 2016 – Blues 11.12 (78) bt Demons 7.16 (58) at MCG
Tab Sportsbet: Demons $1.20 Blues $4.60
William Hill: Demons $1.20 Blues $4.40
There was plenty to like about the Demons in their first game with Jordan Lewis. Could this be the year they return to the finals? Consistency has been an issue – they haven’t started the season with consecutive wins since 2005 – but everything suggests they will account for Carlton, who look likely to struggle for wins this year.
Key: Will Carlton swing Jacob Weitering forward again? Or will he line up on Melbourne spearhead Jesse Hogan? Either way, it might be a case of robbing Peter to pay Paul.
Tip: Demons by 21 points
Port Adelaide v Fremantle at Adelaide Oval, 4.40pm
Head to Head: Power 17 Dockers 15
Last clash: Round 13, 2016 – Dockers 12.14 (86) bt Power 9.15 (69) at Domain Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Power $1.25 Dockers $4.00
William Hill: Power $1.28 Dockers $3.65
Port pulled off the biggest upset of the opening round when they beat Sydney at the SCG and will be full of confidence ahead of their first home game. For the Dockers, thrashed by Geelong, there are serious questions about where they are heading under coach Ross Lyon. Nat Fyfe made a welcome return but his teammates must improve their skills.
Key: If Aaron Sandilands can get on top of the ruck battle, the Dockers will fancy their chances. But he will have his work cut out for him against the in-form Paddy Ryder.
Tip: Power by 32 points
