Round 2 of the 2023 AFL season is done and dusted, but that won’t stop us from jumping the gun declaring Brownlow Medalists, and writing certain teams’ seasons off.
We’ve put together a five-leg multi filled with the one aspect of the form you can never Punt with – hindsight in our world-famous AFL Five Lessons Learned blog.
Punters have your screenshots at the ready in case this backfires!
(1) Who won Siren-gate 2.0?
There are two versions to the controversial finish in Saturday night’s Freo-North clash, so in the interest of being fair and balanced, we’ll provide perspectives from all sides.
Punters who backed North:
The footy clearly bounced over the boundary line after the final siren had sounded and the AFL has made the call.
It was also ticky-touchwood as to if it would have been paid a deliberate out of bounds and the decision of the umpires should always be respected.
The AFL clip released on the Sunday morning after the game clearly shows the umpires being heard saying “the siren went before it went out of bounds”
Punters who backed Freo:
See above.
Perhaps we leave this debate to our very own Peter Moody, who features as this week’s guest Tackler in the Herald Sun/Mark “Robbo” Robinson’s iconic column The Tackle.
“Football is a lot like racing in a way, where you can be beaten by a bob of the head in a photo finish, or get a little brush from a horse at the 1200, and you wonder if that what’s cost me victory…”
You can’t argue with the verdict of the stewards, Moods would know.
(2) Always back 40+ against Hawthorn
Watching Hawthorn play at the moment gives real 2011-2012 GWS and Gold Coast Suns vibes.
Against Sydney on Sunday, the Hawks managed a score of just 4-13 to lose by 81 points, and in the previous week 9-11 against the Bombers copping a 59-point hiding.
Two games into the 2023 season and the average Hawthorn losing margin is 70 points.
It’s worth keeping an eye on the 40+ market of any team playing against the Hawks this season as it’s pretty much free money.
We all know the Hawks have gone all-in on the rebuild, but right now it’s a demolition job down at Waverley Park.
This Saturday, the Hawks will take on Clarko’s Kangas in Launceston and we all know that Alastair Clarkson will be more than keen to give his old club a hiding.
The undefeated North Melbourne is at $4.80 to win by 40+, I’ll have a bit of that if you don’t mind.
(3) Collingwood- N Diacos – 3 Votes
Much was made about Collingwood coach Craig McRae saying that his young star Nick Daicos should be tagged.
Ken Hinkley tried that on the weekend, but it backfired spectacularly.
Daicos (of the Nick variety) had a lazy 32 disposals and two goals as Port tried to “tag” him.
The only way you’ll tag Nick Daicos is on social media in posts or photos.
Not since the early days of Chris Judd has there been such a dominant second-year player, and he’s currently equal favourite to win this years Brownlow at $10 with Melbourne’s Clayton Oliver.
It’s only Round 2, but he can only get better.
His older brother Josh also goes alright, as did his old man.
Collingwood is bloody lucky to have this Macedonian Marvel dynasty.
(4) Dogs are Done.
It’s time for a Round 2 write-off, and this year we’re giving it to Bevo’s Western Bulldogs.
Stick a fork in ‘em, they are done.
Take your screenshots Doggies fans, but they will be a waste of space in your phone storage because you won’t need to drag them out in September at the rate the Dogs have started the season.
Low scoring, low impact, low talent, and looking tired and slow not to mention Zaine Cordy who they delisted dominated for the Saints on Saturday night.
Bevo’s Dogs face Brisbane on Thursday night and are $2.85 underdogs in a home game at Marvel Stadium, with the Lions firm $1.44 favourites – you’d never would expect a market like that six months ago.
I get real vibes that the Dogs don’t need to hit the training track and would be better off having a pub session and bonding as a group, but what would I know? I’m just a nobody with a blog.
(5) Who tipped the Saints and North to start the season undefeated?
Have a look at the ladder!
Owen is nowhere to be seen down at Moorabbin or Arden Street unless you’re Owen…the Saints go marching in.
Ross Lyon’s Saints are 2-0, and Clarko’s Kangas is 2-0.
Who picked that?
Will both or either of them remain in the eight after round 24?
St Kilda is a solid $2.25 to make the eight and the Kangaroos remain a rank $9 outsider but will be favourites to beat Hawthorn on the weekend.
Meanwhile, the Saints’ 150th-anniversary game on Saturday against the also undefeated Bombers at the MCG should also be a beauty.
This is good for football, but frustrating for Punters.