AFL game previews, best bets and a bumper multi for Round 2
Essendon travels to Sydney as outsiders but the Swans have too many holes the Bombers can exploit. Herald Sun tipping guru Chris Cavanagh previews each match to find the best bets.
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Footy is back with host of bumper matches in Round 2.
Two-time Herald Sun footy tipping winner Chris Cavanagh helps you find a winner this weekend with game-by-game previews and the best bets for those who like a punt.
SCROLL DOWN FOR CHRIS’ ROUND 2 MULTI
RICHMOND V COLLINGWOOD
MCG, Thursday 7.40pm
It’s hard to tip against a Richmond side that hasn’t lost a game in 364 days.
Unique situation this year, I know.
But it’s still a 13-game winning streak.
That streak includes a 32-point win over Collingwood in Round 19 last year, when Dustin Martin had 38 disposals and Tom Lynch kicked five goals.
The Tigers are essentially at full strength and have also been boosted by the return of forward Jack Higgins from brain surgery.
The Magpies were super sharp in Round 1 against the Western Bulldogs, but I like Richmond by 1-39 points at $2 here.
TAB ODDS: RICHMOND $1.60, COLLINGWOOD $2.40
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GEELONG V HAWTHORN
GMHBA Stadium, Friday 7.50pm
The Hawks actually have a good recent record against the Cats, winning three of the past four matches between the sides.
But all of those have been at the MCG.
The Cattery – where Geelong has won 15 of its past 16 games – is a different story.
I rated Geelong a lot higher than the Hawks entering the season and expect them to bounce back from a poor Round 1 performance.
It is likely to be a tough slog on a cold Friday night at Geelong.
Consider the Cats by 1-39 at $1.95.
TAB ODDS: GEELONG $1.57, HAWTHORN $2.45
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BRISBANE V FREMANTLE
Gabba, Saturday 1.45pm
What already looked like being a tough year for the Dockers now appears even worse given the club is stuck in a Queensland hub for the next month.
Fremantle was okay in patches against Essendon in Round 1 but scoring is still an issue as it’s hard to win too many games kicking eight goals.
The Dockers are also without their best two key defenders in Alex Pearce and Joel Hamling.
The Lions won 10 of 11 home-and-away games at the Gabba last season and should win their first of 2020 here.
TAB ODDS: BRISBANE LIONS $1.37, FREMANTLE $3.10
CARLTON V MELBOURNE
Marvel Stadium, Saturday 4.35pm
Think the odds are about right here. Melbourne should win, but the Demons haven’t given us a lot of reason to put too much faith in them over the past 18 months.
The Demons have won their past four against the Blues and have won six of their past nine games at Marvel Stadium.
Former Hawk Marc Pittonet will have a tough time against Melbourne’s Max Gawn in the ruck, while Harley Bennell’s debut might just spark the Demons.
Consider Melbourne by 1-39 points at $1.95.
TAB ODDS: MELBOURNE $1.57, CARLTON $2.45
PORT ADELAIDE V ADELAIDE
Adelaide Oval, Saturday 7.40pm
Can’t see the Crows winning too many games this year and if the Power are the real deal they simply have to win this Showdown.
The two Showdown’s last year turned out very differently, Adelaide winning the first by 20 points and Port Adelaide winning the second by 57 points.
The Crows side has been significantly depleted, at least on paper, since then.
The Power, meanwhile, look to be a young team on the rise and were solid in a 47-point win over Gold Coast in Round 1.
Take Port at the -15.5 point line.
TAB ODDS: PORT ADELAIDE $1.44, ADELAIDE $2.80
GOLD COAST V WEST COAST
Metricon Stadium, Saturday 7.40pm
This might get ugly, between a team many think will finish top-two and a team many think will finish bottom-two.
For the spectacle’s sake, hope that the Suns are better than they were Round 1 and they can put up a fight.
But, West Coast should do it comfortably, the Eagles’ -31.5 point line attractive at $1.90.
TAB ODDS: GOLD COAST $5.80, WEST COAST $1.14
GWS GIANTS V NORTH MELBOURNE
Giants Stadium, Sunday 1.05pm
Both teams here were Round 1 winners, but the Roos willed themselves to win in the second half against St Kilda while the Giants were clinical for four quarters against Geelong.
North will put up a fight, but it’s hard not to see the classy Giants getting the chocolates.
GWS won the last match between these sides by 23 points in Hobart in Round 13 last year and I’d expect a similar result.
GWS to win by 1-39 points at $1.90 looks a better option than the Giants short head-to-head price.
TAB ODDS: GWS GIANTS $1.35, NTH MELBOURNE $3.20
SYDNEY V ESSENDON
SCG, Sunday 3.35pm
Both these sides were Round 1 winners but neither were particularly impressive – Sydney just hanging on against Adelaide and Essendon just overcoming Fremantle.
The Swans have some major holes in their forward line with no Lance Franklin or Sam Reid.
So, unless Isaac Heeney fires again, this is a perfect chance for the Bombers to go 2-0.
Essendon scored a 10-point win last time these sides met in Round 16 last season.
I like them head-to-head as an outsider at $2.10.
TAB ODDS: SYDNEY $1.75, ESSENDON $2.10
ST KILDA V WESTERN BULLDOGS
Marvel Stadium, Sunday 6.05pm
Huge game for a pair of poor Round 1 losers.
The Bulldogs were woeful against Collingwood back in March and the Saints gave up a 31-point lead to lose to North Melbourne.
St Kilda actually won the last encounter between these sides by 27 points in Round 18 last year.
But I like the Bulldogs to win this one – especially if Josh Bruce can fire up against his former side.
Western Bulldogs by 1-39 points at $2 looks the go.
TAB ODDS: ST KILDA $2.45, W BULLDOGS $1.57
CHRIS’ ROUND 2 MULTI
Geelong by 1-39 points $1.95
Melbourne by 1-39 points $1.95
Essendon win $2.10
West Coast -31.5 point line $1.90
Multi price: $15.17
MORE EXPERT ADVICE:
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Originally published as AFL game previews, best bets and a bumper multi for Round 2