Round 3 of the AFL season is upon us and it’s safe to to say the pressure is on from the start with Essendon needing to bounce back from their humiliation at the hands of the Crows.

Carlton are still chasing their first win of the season, while the Hawks can prove they’re a true title contender against the Giants.

We’ve previewed every game this weekend and delivered a bevy of best bets.

If it was Carlton who felt the heat of the blowtorch in Round 1, that flame has well and truly been redirected to Essendon this week following their 61-point loss to Adelaide at the MCG.

While we knew the Bombers had offensive deficiencies since the departure of Jake Stringer and his 42 goals from last year, they showcased an exceptional dearth of defensive nous when they gave up 25 goals (161 points) and allowed the Crows to snap a 10-game losing streak at the ‘G.

Jordan Ridley’s (concussion) talent and experience will help the Bombers’ back six, while Saad El-Hawli will make his debut.

The Power, who enter the game as $1.67 favourites, have a few injuries to contend with after Lachie Jones (adductor), Ryan Burton (hip) and Jack Lukosius (knee) were all ruled out.

Esava Ratugolea and Ivan Soldo strengthen their big man stocks, but Connor Rozee’s form and leadership should drag them past an embattled home side.

Tip: Port Adelaide to win @ $1.67

Can the Blues hit the scoreboard in 2025?

Winless at Round 3 is hardly the start to the season most Carlton pundits predicted, but they’ve got a great chance to respond against an injury-depleted Bulldogs team at Marvel Stadium.

Not without their own injury concerns, the Blues are hopeful rather than confident that Harry McKay will return from illness but given Charlie Curnow’s inability to trouble the scoreboard from just five disposals against the Hawks, it’s safe to say they’ll be pushing for McKay’s good health.

The Dogs almost pulled off an upset over the Pies last weekend and thus have been installed as the $1.80 favourites with Ladbrokes.

Despite an injury setback for Adam Treloar and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan’s refusal to play, the likes of Sam Darcy and Ed Richards can ensure the Dogs push the Blues all the way.

Tip: Sam Darcy (Western Bulldogs) to kick 3+ goals @ $2.50

One of the most intriguing match-ups of the round, Melbourne will be hoping to snap a three-game losing streak when they host the Gold Coast Suns on Saturday afternoon.

Undoubtedly a battle between the two midfields, the likes of Max Gawn, Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver will need to lift from last week’s shock loss to North Melbourne if they’re any chance against Noah Anderson, Matt Rowell and Jarrod Witts.

They’ll certainly take confidence from their head-to-head record against the Suns, having saluted in their last 12 games.

Fresh off an early-season bye, the Suns will welcome back Sam Flanders and Mac Andrew to a side that obliterated West coast by 87 points in round 1.

If the Suns want to establish themselves as a credible finals threat, a win against the Dees in Melbourne would go a long way to doing just that.

Tip: Gold Coast Suns to win by 1-39 @ $2.35

It would’ve been a while since the Saints entered a game as $1.22 favourites, but that’s the result when you take down Geelong in a Round 2 thriller.

More disposals (+68), more i50s (+2) and more clearances (+7), it was a strong response from a team coming off a 63-point loss to Adelaide one week earlier.

Rowan Marshall returned to his best with 29 disposals and 32 hit-outs – a job he will need to replicate against Toby Nankervis.

As for Richmond, they returned to earth with a big loss to Port Adelaide, reminding us they are in fact a club in total rebuild mode.

Having lost 12 day matches in a row, it’s hard to see the Tigers competing in this one.

Tip: Jack Steele (St Kilda) to have 25+ disposals @ $1.75

Can the Hawks continue their hot start to the season?

As $6 market-leaders in premiership futures, it’s easy to see why Sam Mitchell’s men are a short $1.48 against the Giants.

Wins over Sydney, Essendon and Carlton have been good without being great, and there’s no doubt the Giants will present Hok-ball’s biggest challenge of the year so far.

The Giants could have as many as seven players return for this clash, including last year’s Coleman Medallist Jesse Hogan (thumb), Jake Stringer (hamstring) and Kieren Briggs (concussion).

They’re fresh off the bye and ready to beat the Hawks for the first time in Launceston.

For those who aren’t yet sold on the Hawks in 2025, this is the line in the sand.

Tip: GWS to cover the line (+12.5) @ $1.90

Another Round 3 blockbuster to sink our teeth into, the Brisbane Lions will host Geelong at the Gabba on Saturday night.

The reigning premiers sit in fifth spot on the ladder following wins against Sydney and West Coast to start their season; the latter coming after giving up five of the first six goals of the game.

Lachie Neale returned to form with 35 disposals and eight clearances, while Dayne Zorko continues to dominate across half-back.

Geelong was never really in the game against the Saints after losing Bailey Smith pre-match before Tom Stewart went down with a knee issue in the first term.

Luckily, Stewart avoided significant damage and is still a chance to play against the Lions, Chris Scott is confident in Smith’s return from calf soreness.

This should be closer than the head-to-head market suggests, so Geelong fans will enjoy juicy line at (+13.5).

Tip: Lachie Neale (Brisbane Lions) to have 30+ disposals at $1.80

Well, here we are.

You know the world has changed when we’re coming off a weekend that involved an Adelaide victory at the MCG and a North demolition job against the Dees.

The Crows return to their beloved Adelaide Oval as the short-priced favourites to end the Roos’ one-game winning streak (hey, it’s something).

They were irrepressible against Essendon at the home of footy, snapping a 10-game losing run as they piled on 25 goals with an uncontested possession (+41) and mark-heavy (+70) style of footy.

Jordan Dawson (33 disposals) is arguably leading the Brownlow at this point, while Matt Crouch (32) and Jake Soligo (27) are quickly forming one of the most formidable midfields in the competition.

It was exciting to see the Roos pile on eight goals to one in the final term against the Dees, but it’s still difficult to see them making any inroads against the quality of the Crows at home.

Tip: Izak Rankine (Adelaide Crows) to kick 3+ goals @ $4.50

The Western Derby we didn’t know we didn’t really want.

It could be a tough slog for viewers on Sunday night when the West Coast Eagles lock horns with Fremantle at Optus Stadium.

Each holding a 0-2 record, the Eagles will enter this match with their chests out after pushing Brisbane to 19 points last weekend.

After kicking the first five goals of the game, the Eagles managed just six to 14 thereafter but will be buoyed by the fact they made the reigning premiers sweat for 30 minutes.

The Dockers, who are currently $1.24 in this one, need the W more than any other team in the competition.

Losses to Sydney (3 points) and Geelong (78) mean they’re sitting in 17^th spot on the ladder, after coming into the season as finals aspirants.

The Derby always seems to throw up a curveball, and Freo will be praying it’s not in their direction.

Tip: Fremantle to win both halves @ $1.92

2024

Six months ago, Brisbane and Collingwood were at the pinnacle of Australian Rules Football and now they are both winless going into their Round 3 clash at the Gabba, who would’ve thought?

On Good Friday, the superclash between North Melbourne and Carlton continues to showcase football’s good side.

There are still seven teams searching for their first win of 2024, and five hoping to continue their perfect records.

Five consecutive days of footy in a row, so find out who we’re backing in our 2024 AFL Round 3 Preview.

This may be one of the biggest 12th v 15th clashes in AFL history, with a lot on the line for both sides, who really can’t afford to keep losing this early on.

Collingwood looks unmotivated and unwilling to commit to the contest, lacking their offensive flair that they’re unable to generate like in 2023.

Brisbane on the other hand showed they still have their best within them early against the Blues in Opening Round and the first quarter against Fremantle but have been way off the mark since.

The question for Collingwood is what is their Plan B in their offensive transition?

They’ve struggled to move the ball with pace and when the pressure is applied, their handball game doesn’t stack up, causes turnovers, and leaks goals from avoidable situations.

The Lions themselves have lacked pressure defensively, struggling to block out the corridor and deny uncontested movement inside 50.

They certainly can shut down defensively, but whether it’s a lack of conditioning or preparation, their four-quarter endurance is certainly not at the level.

The Pies don’t have to look too far to see what going 0-3 did to lost year’s reigning premiers.

They’re likely to be contending for finals even going 0-4, but it’s a fair bit of catch-up.

A week off for the Lions certainly helps their case, and back at the Gabba, where they’ll want to erase that loss against the Blues, the Lions should send the Pies into utter mayhem.

Tip: Lions to win by 1-39 @ $2.15

The Good Super Friday Superclash for the second year in a row features the Roos and the Blues, as the attention turns to supporting the Royal Children’s Hospital.

The Blues would have taken a 1-1 start with their open to the year but come in 2-0 with two grinding wins against Brisbane and Richmond.

The Kangas looked good as gold against the Dockers with a 33-point lead midway through the second quarter, but a big third-quarter lapse saw the Dockers turn the game on its head.

This is a matchup that won’t be as one-sided as pundits suggest.

Last year, these two were in a tight contest for the first half until the Blues were able to kick away in the third with the help of ten goals between Curnow and McKay.

It’s hard to see North being able to shut down a similar result reoccurring, but they’ve proven with Alastair Clarkson they have built a tactical capability to shutdown opposition for periods, however, they’re unable to sustain it across four quarters.

Carlton may welcome back Jacob Weitering and Sam Walsh, along with Elijah Hollands and Caleb Marchbank back in the mix, some handy inclusions.

The Blues have the clear advantage in the forward line, and if they’re able to limit Nick Larkey’s output down the other end, a player they’ve had issues with at times, they should see this home with relative ease.

Tip: North Melbourne to cover the line (+36.5) @ $1.90

The Dockers have a terrific opportunity to set themselves up well for 2024 as they take on the Crows at home in the second of the Good Friday clashes.

Whilst it wasn’t all smooth sailing for the Dockers against the Roos, unable to control the territory battle for the first half, they were able to get the ball moving their way in the second half and pile on the goals similar to their win against the Lions.

The Crows haven’t brought their best to start the year, and the prospect of a 0-3 start with Melbourne to come next week is looming over their heads.

Similar to what the Pies are encountering, the Crows thrive off rebound in their ability to cause turnovers high up the ground, which they can’t get going.

The Dockers have won their football through their capacity to move it quickly with direction, so the Crows may need to refocus on defence before offense to give themselves better looks in transition.

Adelaide were simply thrashed at the contest in Round 1 and beaten at their own game last week, so they’ve quickly learned they haven’t naturally gotten better.

The first game between these two at Optus in six years, so the Dockers will be excited to have this fixture back on their grounds.

Adelaide proved in Round 1 that they still can’t travel, and there’s been no indication early in 2024 that will change.

Tip: Fremantle to win by 1-29 @ $2.15

The Saints faced two tough weeks of football to open their season, and their confidence will be sky-high after beating Collingwood on their turf.

Essendon surprised most with their effort up in Sydney against the Swans, going down by five goals in what was a closer game than the final scoreline suggested.

Both teams haven’t set foot on Marvel Stadium this year, and whilst the Saints would probably take comfort in being the “away” side at Marvel, four of the last five games between these two teams at Marvel have gone the way of the Bombers.

The Saints will be without the likes of Liam Henry, Mason Wood, and potentially Max King, which do leave some holes to be filled within the forward half of the ground.

Essendon’s defence can probably breathe a sigh of relief if both Henry and King are out, averaging 104 points kicked against them in the first two weeks and 32 scoring shots average per game.

There is a need for a tidy-up in their backline, as they lack composure and accountability often returning in defensive transition.

The Saints brought the pressure last week and it was fundamental in their ability to crush Collingwood’s attempt to rebound and move through the corridor.

Essendon offensively has been extremely tidy and for all the trouble they’re having defensively, they convert when they go forward and constantly maintain scoreboard pressure.

Although we have seen with both the Saints and Bombers that a lack of offensive flare and conversion inside forward 50 puts them under duress, with both sides experiencing four to five-goal swings within games.

The Saints have the momentum here, but under the roof in perfect conditions, this should be one of the games of the round.

Tip: St Kilda to win by 1-39 @ $2.25

An early look at the reality of where both these sides sit in the context of 2024 as the Dees take on their first of two straight games in Adelaide.

The Power starts with a perfect record with wins against the Eagles and Tigers, but are still to be tested against a top-four contender.

The Demons looked as wary as they did in the finals series last year to open the year but fixed up quickly with convincing wins over the Dogs and Hawks.

The Dees lose one key defensive pillar in Steven May, with two cracked ribs, which does leave one of Charlie Dixon or Todd Marshall as a looming tall threat for the Dees to shutdown.

The midfield battle will be of intrigue, with a quite bullish Demons side contrasting Port’s young run and gun midfield who bring that bounce in their step around the contest.

Melbourne’s ability to slow down the opposition has been a major contributing factor to their winning ways, which is a tougher ask against a Port Adelaide side who loves to generate drive off halfback and use different avenues in transition.

The Power conceding 92 points against Richmond probably wasn’t desirable for their standards and they’ll have to tighten up against the Dees to stay within reach.

Sometimes playing weaker opponents to open sets you back a little, and the jump from weak to strong is too big to handle straight away, so the Dees certainly have the upper hand in this contest.

Tip: Melbourne to win @ $2.80

Depending on which Western Bulldogs side turns up, this could be anyone’s game!

The Dogs were stabbed in the heart with their demoralising loss to the Eagles at the back end of last year, and it may just do the same thing if they’re to lose again.

The Eagles seem so far off it, and whilst a few patches of promising glimpses continue to give just the slightest tinge of hope, the Eagles can’t put together a competitive performance.

It was great to see Harley Reid produce some of his finest moments early against the Giants, a glimpse of what’s to come.

The Dogs bounced back in Ballarat with a convincing win against the Suns, and whilst it’s not necessarily a statement win, it shines light back on the club for at least another week.

If the Dogs manage to lose twice in a row to the Eagles, let’s cut them off from any conversation relating to finals.

Tip: Bulldogs to cover the line (-46.5) @ $1.90

For a moment in the first half, the Tigers looked on top of their contest against the Power and were able to get moments in transition similar to what they did against the Blues.

But what was their worst pressure-rated game in nine years, the Tigers dropped off in intensity levels, and as a result head into the undefeated Swans winless at 0-3.

All is well in New South Wales as the Swans haven’t shown signs of struggle besides periods of their first clash against the Demons.

They’re firing on all cylinders with no lack of goal-scoring prowess, with their midfielders a consistent contributor to their scoreboard tally.

Richmond’s small forwards came to life against the Power, which has become an element of their game that has proved efficient when the likes of Tom Lynch struggle to get a hold of any dominance inside forward 50.

For the Tigers, their youth simply aren’t up to scratch compared to most clubs and lack the depth to challenge the elite within the competition.

Richmond is certainly still competitive, but you just can’t back them in against quality opposition where there isn’t a like-for-like across the ground.

Tip: Sydney to win by 1-39 @ $2.15

Geelong is sliding under the radar to begin 2024, with two wins over two finals contending opposition, they could set themselves up quite nicely over these next few rounds.

Their opponent, the Hawks, has built a lot of promise and hope in the backend of 2023, but it hasn’t translated early this season, a bit of reality that rebuilds take time.

Hawthorn are still struggling to fill the gaps of their injured stars in Day, Jiath, and Wingard, but have been let down by the talent on offer.

The Cats have been clinical in the execution for select periods within their games and the effectiveness of their ball movement to counteract opposition ball movement keeps the Cats in comfortable positions to close out their games.

The Hawks will need to mitigate the impact of Geelong’s athletic intercepting halfback line, which does put significant dependence on Mabior Chol to impact aerially.

Nick Watson finally kicked his first major against the Dees, which is some handy confidence for a player who is known for his impact per possession.

Geelong will take notes straight out of Melbourne’s book and look to force the turnover on the Hawks with their pressure.

Hawthorn’s fall down is their general lack of fundamental execution in transition, and a team like the Cats will punish you exactly like the Dees did.

Tip: Geelong to cover the line (-20.5) @ $1.90

2022

Two rounds have come and gone, and it’s fair to say the AFL ladder isn’t quite what we were expecting heading into Round 3.

The winless Dogs and undefeated Swans kick things off on Thursday from Marvel, followed by a massive double-header on Friday starting with the Dees and the desperate Bombers from the ‘G, followed by Showdown 51 between the winless Crows and Power from Adelaide.

It’s always a big occasion when Collingwood meets Geelong, and that will again be the case on Saturday when the Pies look to extend their unbeaten streak to 3-0 against Chris Scott’s Cats.

Meanwhile, on Sunday, two new coaches square off when Michael Voss’ Blues take on Sam Mitchell and the Hawks, followed by the Western Derby from Perth between the Eagles and Dockers.

There’s plenty at stake, and for our thoughts on each and every game, be sure to read our 2022 AFL Round 3 Preview below!

One look at the ladder tells you all you need to know heading into Thursday night’s game.

Luke Beveridge’s Bulldogs have started the season 0-2 following last week’s 12-point loss to Carlton, a result that has left many wondering if last year’s Grand Final runner-ups are suffering some kind of hangover.

The Swans, meanwhile, were in full party mode last week after Buddy Franklin joined the 1,000 goal club, but lost amongst all the celebration was the fact Sydney made short work of a Geelong team that had given them plenty of trouble in previous meetings.

Early betting favours the Bulldogs at time of publish, which is interesting when you consider the Swans won by 19 points when they met at Marvel late last year.

The Dogs won’t be panicking after suffering back-to-back losses to start the season, but it’s fair to say Beveridge will have a few concerns about the way his side has been playing.

A couple of key injuries haven’t helped matters, but the Dogs have given up goals at an alarming rate to start the year, while they also missed numerous chances to draw even with the Blues in the fourth quarter last week.

Sydney’s forward line is firing on all cylinders, particularly Issac Heaney, who currently shares in a tie for the Coleman Medal.

Throw in the Swans’ pressure, and the resurgence of intercept specialist Paddy McCartin, and this suddenly shapes into another very tough game for the Dogs.

Tip: Back the Swans to Cover the Line (+2.5 Points) @ $1.90

Things are about to get a lot harder for the winless Bombers.

It was encouraging to see the Dons come out firing against the Lions after their no-show the week prior, but once the quarter-time siren rang, it didn’t take long for the Essendon we say in Round 1 to rear its ugly head.

Ben Rutten’s side gave up seven straight goals to Brisbane in the second term, and although they showed tremendous character to fight back in the third, it was still a disappointing finish as Lachie Neale helped the Lions to a comfortable victory.

As for the Dees, it’s been a dream start for the reigning premiers with back-to-back wins over the Dogs and Suns to their name.

Gold Coast actually made Melbourne work for it last week, but the class of Christian Petracca, Clayton Oliver, and Ben Brown was enough to get the Dees over the line.

The Bombers have lost their last two meetings against the Dees, and it’s hard to see them pulling off any kind of upset with key midfielder Zach Merrett out for the next two months with an ankle injury.

There’s been very little to like about their two games so far, and until they can piece together a full four-quarter performance, backing against the Bombers looks a safe play.

Tip: Back Melbourne to Cover the Line (-25.5 Points) @ $1.90

The magnitude of the first ‘Showdown’ of the year has only been amplified with both clubs still searching for their first win.

The Crows found themselves down four goals at the end of the first quarter last week on their way to a disappointing 42 point loss against Collingwood, while a similar story also unfolded at the Adelaide Oval with Port suffering a disheartening 64-point defeat to Hawthorn.

Injuries have played a big part in both clubs’ struggles, and that unfortunate trend has continued with Rory Sloane set to miss this clash with an adductor issue.

The Power have a long list of outs, the most important being Charlie Dixon and Orazio Fantasia.

Port has clearly been lacking a target up forward, while the absence of one of the game’s elite defenders, Aliir Aliir, was felt instantly last week against the young Hawks.

Looking ahead, it’s tough to feel confident in either side, but if the Power can build on their first half against the Hawks last week, they should be able to bounce back.

Port has won four straight games over the Crows dating back to 2019, and there’s a good chance Ollie Wines and Xavier Duursma leave their mark on this game given the state of Adelaide’s midfield.

If someone like Mitch Georgiades can step up and kick goals, Port win comfortably.

Tip: Back Port Adelaide 1-39

We could be in for a fiery one on Saturday between two clubs playing with a chip on their shoulder.

The Suns put a bit of a scare into Melbourne last week on the back of their historic win over West Coast in Round 1, while there have been some encouraging signs from the Giants despite back-to-back losses to Sydney and Richmond.

Gold Coast has gone up heavy underdogs in betting, which stands out a little on the back of last week’s performance.

The Suns lacked the legs in the fourth quarter against the reigning premiers, but the likes of Touk Miller and Noah Anderson really made Melbourne earn it.

The play of Mabior Chol has been exciting to watch in two games with his new club, while it’s hard to forget Gold Coast’s one-point win over the Giants when they met in Ballarat late last year.

Harry Himmelberg and Stephen Coniglio should test the Suns, but the way the Giants have been giving up goals to start the season has to have Leon Cameron concerned.

With Toby Greene still serving his suspension, and Izak Rankine set to return for the Suns, Gold Coast looks a nice value play away from home.

Tip: Back the Suns to Cover the Line (+13.5 Points) @ $1.90

It’s been a dream start for new Collingwood coach Craig McRae with his side sitting second on the ladder heading into Round 3.

The trio of Steele Sidebottom, Jordan deGoey, and Brody Mihocek has been unstoppable through the first two games, but nobody is about to declare Collingwood a premiership lock following back to back wins over St Kilda and Adelaide.

Playing Geelong is always tough, let alone when the Cats are coming off a blowout defeat.

Chris Scott’s side was disappointing on Friday night as they struggled to kick straight against the Swans, and it’s fair to say Buddy Franklin kicking his 1,000th goal won’t sit well with the long-time coach.

The Cats have always been a profitable team to bet on following a loss, and they’ve certainly enjoyed the spoils against Collingwood recently with back-to-back wins over the last two seasons.

Plenty are wondering whether the ageing Cats are past it, or whether it’s Patrick Dangerfield or bust – questions that will no doubt motivate Geelong in what could be another statement game for them similar to Round 1.

Tip: Back Geelong to Cover the Line (-11.5 Points) @ $1.90

We should learn plenty about the Lions on Saturday night at the Gabba.

The jury is still out on Chris Fagan’s side following a scrappy win over Port in Round 1, followed by a come-from-behind victory over the Bombers last week after trailing by three goals at quarter time.

On one hand, back-to-back slow starts have to be of concern for Fagan, but the way his side has responded in both games so far suggests Brisbane has all the makings of a true premiership contender.

North, meanwhile, is looking to build on last week’s 15-point win over the wounded Eagles.

Nick Larkey stole the show with six goals and 16 disposals, but this is obviously a much tougher test away from home against a Brisbane side that has a point to prove.

The Lions have won four straight games over North dating back to 2018, and anything short of a dominant blowout would likely be seen as a failure.

Lachie Neale was back to his Brownlow best last week with 41 disposals, while Brisbane’s forward line also seemed much more in sync as the game progressed.

Given Brisbane’s opening quarters in recent weeks, it wouldn’t be surprising if North keeps this close early on, but with home-field advantage and Joe Daniher starting to heat up, the Lions should be winning this big.

Tip: Back the Lions to Cover the Line (-40.5 Points) @ $1.90

The Blues and the Hawks step out at the ‘G on Sunday with a chance to keep their respective undefeated seasons alive.

Sam Mitchell couldn’t have asked for a better start to his head coaching career at Hawthorn, his side recording a win over North Melbourne in Round 1, and a blowout 64-point win over Port Adelaide last week.

The same also goes for Michael Voss, who enjoyed another win last week from home over the Bulldogs.

The new man in charge at Princes Park should be back in the coaching booth after isolating last week, and he’ll be eager to build on that performance and help the Blues to their first 3-0 start for the first time since 2012.

Carlton has opened -13.5 point favourites in this one, which does feel right given the quality of opposition they’ve beaten so far.

Patrick Cripps and Adam Cerra have both complimented each other nicely in the midfield, but more importantly, the Blues’ forward line has looked unstoppable, led by reigning Coleman Medal winner Harry McKay, and emerging superstar, Charlie Curnow.

Taking nothing away from the Hawks, but it’s tough to read too much into a pair of wins over wooden spoon favourites North Melbourne and an injury-ravaged Port Adelaide.

The Hawks have also been dealt a serious blow with Chad Wingard suffering a hamstring injury last week that looks likely to cost him a handful of games.

The resurgence of Jack Gunston and up and comer Mitch Lewis should challenge Carlton’s back line, but if they can continue to apply pressure in their attacking 50 and get the ball to their top goal-kickers, the Blues should prove too strong in the end.

Tip: Back Carlton 1-39 @ $2.05

It’s only fitting that the Saints and Tigers should meet after both clubs made amends for their Round 1 defeats last week.

Richmond walked away 36-point victors over GWS without Dustin Martin and Jack Riewoldt, while the Saints fended off Fremantle in a back and forth game in Perth.

Neither side inspires much confidence right now, but this does look like another winnable game for the ‘Tiges with both Martin and Riewoldt likely returning to the side.

After a rather uncharacteristic performance against the Blues in the season-opener, the Tigers’ forward line responded in a big way last week, in large part thanks to defender-turned-forward, Noah Balta.

That said, St Kilda’s back-line was super impressive, limiting Freo to just 15 shots on goal.

The Saints were much more effective inside 50 than they were the week prior against Collingwood, while they also dominated the centre clearances by a big margin.

As the betting suggests, this game could go either way, and it will likely come down to who can win the battle in the midfield.

Until Jack Billings returns, the edge probably belongs with Richmond in that department.

Tip: Back Richmond 1-39 @ $2.25

2021

Round 3 shapes as a make-or-break weekend for several clubs around the league.

The winless Lions, Blues and Giants all face must-win games if they wish to play finals, while at the top of the ladder, Port, Richmond, Sydney, Melbourne and the Dogs are all looking to remain undefeated.

Headline games this week include Thursday’s clash between rivals Brisbane and Collingwood at Marvel, Saturday’s sure-fire blockbuster between West Coast and Port in Perth, and of course, the traditional Easter Monday game between the Cats and Hawks from the ‘G.

With plenty at stake for several clubs, we’ve got you covered in our 2021 AFL Round 3 Preview here.

The Lions and Pies will write another chapter in their long-standing rivalry at Marvel on Thursday night after the AFL announced a fixture swap following Brisbane’s recent COVID outbreak.

Fortunately, Chris Fagan’s side was already stationed in Melbourne on the back of last week’s controversial loss to Geelong, but there’s no question the sudden venue change has placed even more pressure on the Lions to snap their losing streak.

Potentially staring down the barrel of an 0-3 start to the season, this is an absolute must-win game for Brisbane with a tough trip to Ballarat to face the red-hot Dogs up next.

For Collingwood, this is also a crucial clash coming off a much-improved performance last week against Carlton.

After looking lost in the opener against the Dogs, the Pies dominated the contested possession count against the Blues, which in turn helped set up some clean inside 50 entries to the likes of Jordan de Goey.

Just as soon as Collingwood’s forward line got going though, the Pies suffered another tough injury loss with Jamie Elliott going down with a nasty leg injury.

On the plus side, the Pies can rest a little easy knowing they’ve held the wood over Brisbane in recent years.

Collingwood made it six wins in a row over Brisbane with a famous 62-point win at the Gabba two years ago, although the Lions did get their revenge in a low-scoring contest last time these sides met.

As the odds suggest, this is arguably the toughest game to pick this weekend.

Collingwood looked sharp last week, but it’s tough to read too much into a win over the Blues.

The Lions, on the other hand, really showed some class and maturity to erase a 20-point half-time deficit to lose a game they really deserved to win at The Cattery.

This is a big test for Brisbane’s players given the sudden turn of events in Queensland, but with their season basically on the line, this well-drilled Fagan side should remind everyone why they are still a serious Premiership chance.

Tip: Back the Lions to Cover the Line (+2.5 Points) @ $2.00

The Good Friday double-header kicks off with a battle between the worst side in the competition and one of the most exciting.

So far North Melbourne has been on the receiving end of two blowout losses to Port and the Suns to start the season, and it goes without saying the Roos aren’t about to find this game any easier.

The Dogs, meanwhile, won an instant classic last week against West Coast to firmly asset themselves in the Premiership conversation.

Stacked from top to bottom, Luke Beveridge’s side has been a joy to watch this year as they continue to pull teams apart through the midfield.

Not surprisingly, the Dogs have opened as the -41.5 favourites in betting – which is the largest line we’ve seen so far this season.

Last time these two sides met the Dogs rattled off an impressive 49-point win over North, and based on everything we’ve seen so far, it wouldn’t shock if this one gets out of hand in a hurry.

North leads the league in inside 50s allowed to opponents this year – a recipe for disaster against a Dogs side that has shown no trouble getting the ball forward from stoppages.

Upsets do look likely this weekend, but not here.

Tip: Back the Bulldogs to Cover the Line (-41.5 Points) @ $2.00

Friday’s clash between the Crows and Suns mightn’t appear the most exciting game on paper, but it does hold plenty of weight in terms of the top eight.

After costing punters dearly in Round 1 with their huge upset over Geelong, the Crows came crashing back down to earth last week with a 33-point loss to the Swans in Sydney.

Almost in reverse, the Suns bounced back from their gutsy loss to West Coast to hand North Melbourne a 59-point defeat at home – a result that has left the Gold Coast sitting sixth on the ladder on points differential.

Likewise, the Crows could temporarily rejoin the eight with a win of their own, but this does look a tough assignment against a very underrated Suns forward line.

Last week saw Jack Lukosius finish with a goal and 12 score involvements, while Ben King and Izak Rankine both chimed in with three goals each.

On the flip side, of course, is Tex Walker – who currently leads the Coleman Medal race with 11 goals to his name.

While the Suns do represent value head-to-head, it’s hard to get away from the fact they remain winless in six games against the Crows in Adelaide.

With both forward lines operating at a high rate though, the Over does look to be a worthwhile play.

Tip: Over 168.5 Total Points @ $1.88

The Tigers have gone about their business with ease to start the season, but they are about to face an intriguing test on Saturday in the form of a dangerous and feisty looking Swans side.

Sydney proved its double-digit win over the Lions in Round 1 was no fluke when they polished off the Crows by a similar margin last week at the SCG.

Already stacked with plenty of talent, the Swans’ forward line received an added boost with Buddy Franklin back in the side as the superstar wasted no time kicking a three-goal bag.

The Tigers had a fight on their hands against the Hawks at various stages, but like they did against Carlton a week earlier, the reigning premiers still managed to flex their muscle in the final term to go on and win by 29.

The recent head-to-head results between these two sides paints a pretty bleak picture for the Swans, but it’s likely John Longmire will remind his men during the week that the Tigers only managed to squeak out an eight-point win when they last met.

For as good as Sydney’s forward line has looked though, this is still a massive challenge going up against one of the best back lines the game has ever seen.

The Hawks found out the hard way last week that you can’t beat Richmond through the air,  which does pose a challenge for a Sydney team that likes to try and isolate defenders in one-on-one contests.

With Bachar Houli potentially returning to the side, the Tigers should get the job done, but if Sydney can win its share of the ball, a close game shouldn’t shock anyone.

Tip: Back Richmond 1-39 @ $2.00

A game against the injury riddled Bombers couldn’t have come at a better time for the Saints as they look to atone for last week’s disappointment in ‘Spud’s Game’ against Melbourne.

Uncharacteristically, the Saints spent most of the game turning the ball over as the Dees applied a tremendous amount of pressure to force some very basic skill areas.

Fortunately, St Kilda should find things a whole lot easier this week against a down-and-out Dons side that probably wishes the season would hurry up and end.

After blowing a six-goal lead against the Hawks in Round 1, the Bombers proved no match last week against Port in what was a soul-crushing defeat in more ways than one.

As if a 54-point loss wasn’t bad enough, three of Essendon’s key playmakers – Dylan Shiel, Sam Draper and Jye Caldwell – are all expected to miss upward of two months with respective injuries.

The Saints are well worth forgiving on last week’s effort, particularly with a strong 6-2 record next to their name at the line following a previous loss.

With a long list of injuries piling up, the Bombers are a serious bottom two chance now, which makes the Saints a fairly safe bet to win this comfortably.

Tip: Back the Saints to Cover the Line (-21.5 Points) @ $1.90

The game of the week comes from the west on Saturday as the Eagles and Power meet in a potential finals preview.

West Coast are slight outsiders in betting at time of publish, largely due to Port’s dominant start to the season with two comfortable wins over North Melbourne and Essendon in the rear view mirror.

The Eagles, meanwhile, are looking to bounce-back from a last-minute loss to the Dogs at Marvel – a performance Adam Simpson has to feel pretty good about despite the result.

West Coast was beaten in just about every major statistical category, but that didn’t stop them from taking a 12-point lead into three-quarter time.

Now heading back home, there’s no question the Eagles can build on that performance, but they’ll need to ensure they play a full four quarters against this elite Port Adelaide side.

Not only have the Power won their last two meetings against West Coast by 30+ points, they’ve also picked up right where they left off last year with their dominance inside 50.

Charlie Dixon is firmly in the Coleman Medal conversation again this year, while Orazio Fantasia has added another spark to what was already a potent forward line.

In case you forgot, both helped Port kick six unanswered goals to start the game against the Bombers, a deficit very few teams in the league are capable of overcoming.

With Ollie Wines and Zak Butters also making life difficult for defenders, there’s a lot to like about Port straight-up at the current quote.

This game should tell us plenty about the Premiership credentials of both teams, but the edge has to go to the in-form Power to make a statement on the road.

Tip: Back Port Adelaide to Win @ $1.85

This is a massive game for the Blues on Sunday as they look to claw their way back from an 0-2 start to the season.

So far Carlton has played some strong footy in spurts against Richmond and Collingwood, but much like last year (and the last decade for that matter), the Blues have failed to carry momentum through to the fourth quarter.

Fortunately, the Blues will face Fremantle at an opportune time with skipper Nat Fyfe ruled out due to concussion.

Fyfe’s absence is disappointing for Docker fans following last week’s impressive beat-down over GWS, but there’s still a bit to like about Freo at the line with plenty of experience and leadership still on the roster.

The last two games between these two sides have been decided by less than a goal, and based on everything we’ve seen from Carlton so far, it’s a little difficult to get them anywhere close to -16.5 favourites.

With reports revealing Patrick Cripps is also playing through a mystery injury, there’s a good chance this one comes right down to the wire again.

Tip: Back Fremantle to Cover the Line (+16.5 Points) @ $1.90

The stakes are high this week for GWS as they look to forget all about last week’s flat effort against the Dockers in Perth.

Now 0-2, the Giants will know this is a must-win game on Sunday with Collingwood and the rival Swans up next, but as the odds suggest, a win looks far from a guarantee down in Canberra.

As for Melbourne, a newfound sense of optimism and belief has swept over the Dees’ fan base.

The Round 1 win over Fremantle left a lot to be desired, but Simon Goodwin’s side responded nicely last week to force St Kilda into a handful of key errors in their 18-point win.

That said, this does shape as a potential trap game for punters.

While the Giants have lacked their usual spark and looked lifeless at times, the home-field advantage of Manuka Oval isn’t to be underestimated.

It’s also fair to give GWS a mulligan after losing to St Kilda in very sloppy conditions in Round 1 before trying to back it up with a quick trip to Perth less than a week later.

The Dees looked very good last week, but it wouldn’t be the first time Melbourne has got our hopes up only to fall apart seven days later.

With their season on the line, expect a big response from Leon Cameron’s crew.

Tip: Back GWS to Cover the Line (+7.5 Points) @ $1.90

The traditional Easter Monday clash is always one of the highlights on the AFL calendar as we prepare for what is hopefully another thriller between these two bitter rivals.

After losing in Round 1 to the Crows, the Cats bounced back last week in controversial fashion with a less-than convincing win over the Lions at home.

The Hawks, on the other hand, showed glimpses of the future in their 29-point loss to Richmond, a game that certainly highlighted the potential of Hawthorn’s young stars.

Joining Patrick Dangerfield on the sideline is key Cats forward Gary Rohan for his bump on Lachie Neale last week.

Hawthorn, meanwhile, has lost promising young defender Will Day to an ankle injury – one that now places tremendous pressure on a very young and inexperienced back line.

Geelong walked away with a comfortable 51-point victory when these two sides met last year, but it is worth noting the Hawks have covered the line in four of their last five games as the away underdog against the Cats.

For Hawthorn to keep this close, they simply need to limit the mistakes.

The Hawks had plenty of the ball last week against Richmond, but their basic skills let them down as well as some questionable decisions inside 50.

Like the Tigers, the Cats should show their class in the final term, but since these games are typically very close, the Hawks do look a touch hard done by as +23.5 underdogs.

Tip: Back Hawthorn to Cover the Line (+23.5 Points) @ $1.90

2020

Our AFL Round 3 tips and preview are now available and we’re confident that we’ve found plenty of winners!

Five teams remain undefeated on the AFL ladder as we turn our attention to another blockbuster round of action.

The Tigers and the Hawks kick things off with another belter on Thursday night from the ‘G, followed by a finals rematch on Friday between the Bulldogs and GWS from Marvel.

St Kilda will be hoping to build on their big win last week as they meet Collingwood on Saturday in the only top eight clash of the round, while the Suns might just join them if they can pull off another big win over the Crows on Sunday.

Just like we do every week, we’ve taken a peak at all nine games in our 2020 AFL Round 3 Preview below!

Neither Richmond or Hawthorn looked their usual selves last week as they struggled to find points on the primetime stage.

The Tigers found themselves in a hole early against Collingwood last Thursday before clawing their way to a less than exciting draw.

Hawthorn looked up to the fight against the Cats in the first half on Friday, but things suddenly went astray in the third term as the Hawks allowed Geelong to kick six goals to one.

With a chance to shake off the rust following the three month break, we should see some improvement from these two sides in what is shaping up to be another Thursday night blockbuster.

The Tigers have the wood over the Hawks winning each of their last four meetings dating back to 2017, but Hawthorn do look a chance at keeping this one close with Jaeger O’Meara returning to the side.

Richmond are also likely to welcome back Josh Caddy, a welcome boost to the mid-field after Scott Pendlebury had his way last week.

Again, this is another game that could easily swing either way, but there are a few handy trends that suggest the Tigers are the team to back.

Hawthorn lost back-to-back games four times last year, while the Tigers have also won each of their last four games against the Hawks by a margin of 1-39.

Tip: Back Richmond 1-39 @ $1.90

The Giants and the Bulldogs meet in a rematch of last year’s Elimination Final looking to rid themselves of last week’s disappointment.

GWS were eventually outmuscled by a resilient North Melbourne side that laid down plenty of punishment in the fourth quarter to secure a 20-point win.

The Bulldogs were also on the receiving end of a hiding, losing by 39 to a very impressive St Kilda team away from home.

To refresh your memory, the Giants won big against the Dogs last September in front of their home fans, but this time around, they’ll need to dig deep at Marvel with Luke Beverage’s side looking to answer the critics.

Ironically, the biggest take for both of these clubs last week was the fact their top stars failed to show up.

Jeremy Cameron managed only one goal for the Giants, while Marcus Bontempelli and Jack Macrae went missing in the loss to the Saints.

We probably owe the Giants a mulligan considering they are the Grand Final runner-ups, but if the Dogs can rediscover the gritty brand of football we’ve grown accustom to over the years, there’s nothing stopping them from keeping this close.

The Dogs have covered the line in each of their last four home games as the underdog, so it’s worth taking the +8.5 insurance.

Tip: Back the Bulldogs to Cover the Line (+8.5 Points) @ $2.00

North has been the surprise story of the season as they look to keep their unbeaten record intact against the Swans on Saturday.

The Roos were enormous last week against GWS in a game that highlighted just how much talent Rhyce Shaw has to work with.

Cameron Zurharr and Tarryn Thomas both enjoyed big days in front of goal, while Shaun Higgins and Jy Simpkin mopped up in the mid-field with 53 disposals combined.

The Swans will have their hands full with the names above, but they can take plenty away from their narrow six-point loss at home to the Bombers last week.

Sydney was in the fight right until the death, and if it wasn’t for some sloppy defence in the final minute, the Swans may have squeaked out a win.

While their 2-0 start to the season is impressive, the jury is still out on North – especially against a Swans side they’ve beaten only once in their last six meetings.

Sydney could also welcome back Ben Ronke for this game, a big inclusion up forward in the absence of Buddy Franklin.

Considering the Swans have covered in seven of their last eight away games, there’s everything to suggest this could be close.

Tip: Back the Swans to Cover the Line (+10.5 Points) @ $2.00

St Kilda were our best backed side last week against the Bulldogs, but can you back them with confidence again this week?

Despite the result, Collingwood were fairly impressive in the first half against Richmond last week where they controlled the mid-field on the way to an early barrage of goals.

The Saints followed a similar pattern against the Dogs, kicking four goals in the second quarter on their way to an impressive 39-point victory.

It goes without saying that this is a much tougher test for St Kilda hough against a team that has beaten them by 30-points or more in their last two meetings.

The Saints remain relatively unchanged on the injury front, while Nathan Buckley has some decisions to make on Mason Cox and Jaidyn Stephenson.

Collingwood will also be hoping for a bounce-back performance from Jordan de Goey following his quiet performance against Richmond.

Trends wise, it’s worth noting the last five games between these two clubs have all gone Under the Total, so if you want to avoid the head-to-head market, that might be your safest play.

Tip: Under 126.5 Total Points @ $1.87

Geelong never missed a beat last Friday night against the Hawks and they certainly look tough to beat with another home game on the cards.

There wasn’t much in it at half time, but the Cats exploded in the third term to eventually walk away with a comfortable 61-point win.

Things were quite the opposite for the Blues however, as David Teague’s side fought back from a five-goal half time deficit to somehow lose by only a point at the final siren to the Dees.

Carlton will likely welcome Jack Silvagni into the squad following last week’s bout of gastro, but it’s still hard to see the Blues pulling out a win based on last week’s first half horrors.

We also saw the Hawks struggle with the small dimensions of GMHBA off the extended break, so if Ablett, Selwood and Miers are on their game once again, this game likely gets out of hand in a hurry.

Tip: Back Geelong 40+ @ $2.60

Brisbane made short work of West Coast in Round 1 at the Gabba last year and the small crowd of Lions fans on Saturday will be hoping for a repeat performance.

Chris Fagan’s side got a win on a much-needed win on the board last week, albeit narrowly against a very tough looking Fremantle side.

Charlie Cameron was the star of the show slotting four goals, and judging by West Coast’s woeful performance in the back line last week against the Suns, the gun forward could be in for another big night.

The less said about the Eagles’ horror show against the Suns the better.

West Coast managed only five marks inside 50, and considering they were manhandled by the Lions at the Gabba last year, it’s no surprise to find them as underdogs in the market.

Dayne Zorko is the only question mark for the Lions, while the Eagles need to see a better performance from Josh Kennedy with Jeremy McGovern serving his suspension.

Prior to last years loss West Coast had won eight straight over the Lions, but with their struggles on the road well-documented, this could be another tough four quarters.

Tip: Back the Lions 1-39 @ $2.10

A week ago you might have considered this game a battle in the wooden spoon race, but following the Suns’ big win over West Coast, the Gold Coast are suddenly in the conversation for a top eight spot.

While the Suns were the surprising standout last week, the Crows were everything but.

Adelaide’s 75-point loss to Port in Showdown 48 marked a dark day for the club, and with a few key names like Rory Sloane and Jake Kelly in doubt, there’s nothing to say the Crows won’t suffer another defeat this week at Metricon.

The Suns, on the other hand, welcome David Swallow back from suspension, while Brandon Ellis is a sneaky chance if he proves fit.

To their credit, the Crows have won their last 13 games against the Suns, including last years forgettable 95-point belting in Round 17.

Still, if the Suns can build on last weeks momentum and kick the Crows while they’re down, the $1.80 about them looks good value.

Tip: Back the Suns to Win @ $1.83

The Bombers make up one of the five undefeated teams heading into Round 3, and if they play anything like they did last week in Sydney, they should take this one comfortably.

Essendon’s final quarter against the Swans was nothing short of exceptional considering Joe Daniher and Orazio Fantasia were missing from the squad.

The fact the Dons are likely to welcome Fantasia back this week is a big plus, and if the Bombers can bring the same intensity and pressure into this contest like they did last week at the SCG, there’s no telling how ugly it might get.

As for the Dees, it’s difficult to read too much in to last week’s performance.

There were encouraging signs in the first half against Carlton, but the second half was a completely different story as the same old Melbourne side nearly squandered the chance at a much-needed win.

The Dons are good at letting us down right when we get excited, but with seven wins from their last nine home games, the price for them head-to-head almost looks over the odds.

Tip: Back Essendon to Win @ $1.85

It’s too early to call Port Adelaide the team to beat, but boy did they make a statement last week against the Crows.

The Power belted their rivals by 75-points, but perhaps the biggest takeaway was just how well they played at Metricon.

If you’re a Power fan, perhaps none of this comes as a surprise.

Port has now covered the line in their last four games played on the Gold Coast, while they’ve also won five of their last six matches by 40 or more points.

All of that spells potential disaster for Fremantle, and although Jesse Hogan’s return to the forward line is a welcome side, it’s worth backing the trends here until proven otherwise.

Tip: Back Port Adelaide to Cover the Line (-19.5 Points) @ $2.00

2019

A Grand Final rematch? A battle between second and third? No worries, Round 3 has it all.

It’s a topsy turvey AFL ladder as things start to get serious. After four huge upsets last week, we’re confident we’ve found some winners in our 2019 AFL Round 3 Preview below.

The Cats were relentless last week in their pursuit of a perfect 2-0 start to the season. A down and out Demons side were the perfect prey as Geelong cruised towards a commanding 80-point victory in front of their home faithful.

Adelaide also raised a few eyebrows taking care of business in Sydney. The Crows rebounded from a disappointing Round 1 loss with a brilliant three-goal final term to stun the Swans by 26-points.

Both wins set the stage for what is sure to be a thrilling twilight affair between two sides that have no trouble piling on the points against one another. Adelaide have won three-straight over the Cats, all of which came in blowout fashion.

Geelong will be hungry to remain perfect ahead of a Round 4 date with GWS, but they’ll need to shake the Adelaide Oval hoodoo first. The Cats haven’t won against the Crows down south since 2011, bad news considering Chris Scott’s side lost by two goals at the Oval in Round 17 last year.

For the Cats to win this week they simply need to remain accurate in front of goal. Statistically speaking, the Crows were far from impressive last week losing the disposal, contested possession and inside 50 count against the Swans. Sydney’s only downfall was wayward kicking, largely due to the Crows’ added tackling pressure in the second half.

As far as betting goes, the Cats do a look a little over the odds at this price. At the line, Geelong are 4-2 as the away underdog over the last 12 months, while the Crows are only 5-3 straight-up as the home favourite.

Given Geelong’s lethal forward line, one that is arguably the best in the competition, as well their crazy high 402 disposals last week against Melbourne, the Cats should be up to the task.

Tip: Back Geelong to Cover the Line (+2.5 Points) @ $1.90

It’s only Round 3, but is it too early to suggest the loser of this game won’t play finals?

The Dees and the Dons are on the hot seat following a disastrous 0-2 start to the season. Given how tight the competition feels, 0-3 would be a massive mountain to climb, but the question is, which of these sides are prepared for the journey?

Melbourne’s capitulation last week against Geelong was nothing short of concerning. Not only do the Dees appear unfit they also seem to be seriously lacking a potent forward option after leading the league in goals last year.

The Bombers, well what can you say? Essendon’s disastrous first quarter cost them a win against St. Kilda, but there’s so much more at play for coach John Worsfold to dwell on. Chemistry appears to be missing from a team that was supposed to contend for finals, while there’s also no sign of leadership from any of the club’s veteran players.

The last time these two sides met was Round 6 last year in what was another uninspiring Essendon loss. The Dees have won two-straight over the Dons, and as the market suggests, the bookies appear to be all-in on a bounce-back.

Despite being blown apart by the Cats last week, the Dees were left with a few things to feel positive about. Melbourne won the clearances and the inside 50 battle, but most importantly, they also rank second in the competition in tackles.

Melbourne are 7-4 as the home favourite over the last 12 months and given the Bombers’ goal kicking woes and complete lack of communication throughout the midfield, take the Dees to bounce-back this week.

Tip: Back the Demons to Cover the Line (-15.5 Points) @ $1.90

Both Carlton and Sydney find themselves in the bottom half of the ladder entering Round 3, but don’t these sides feel worlds apart?

The Blues had a shot to upset Port Adelaide last week but simply failed through the midfield. Carlton were dominated in the disposal count, allowing both Travis Boak and Tom Rockliff to rack up over 30 each.

Sydney’s concerns look a lot more worrying. The Swans had 22 shots at the sticks in a 26-point loss to Adelaide but managed only eight goals. Perhaps the most worrying sign though is the slow start to the season for forwards Buddy Franklin and Ben Ronke, both of which have combined for only five goals.

Given Carlton’s history of rebuilding, it’s a little surprising to learn the Swans have won only two-straight against the Blues. Carlton defeated Sydney by 19-points at the MCG back in 2017, and since the current side ranks seventh in tackles this year, the Swans need to ensure they don’t overlook this young outfit.

Looking at the market, the Blues do look enticing as the underdog despite their 2-19 record in this role. With star forward Charlie Curnow missing for up to three weeks, however, the Points market is probably the play. Both Sydney and Carlton have combined for an average Total of 173 points over their last five meetings, so take the Over.

Tip: Back Over 166.5 Total Points @ $1.85

Things have spiralled from bad to worse for the Tigers following last week’s blowout loss to Collingwood. Richmond not only resumes without Alex Rance, they now need to replace last year’s Coleman Medal winner Jack Riewoldt.

The Giants return home to Sydney this week after being dealt a harsh dose of reality against the reigning premiers. GWS fought gallantly in the first half against West Coast but completely fell apart in the final two quarters as they struggled to find an answer to Luke Shuey.

Looking ahead, the Tigers now prepare to start in the underdog role for the second week in a row. It’s an unfamiliar position for a side that was once favoured for the flag, but you only need to rewind to last year’s loss against GWS to understand why.

Richmond have won three games at Giants Stadium, but their last two visits have served nothing but heartbreak. The Tigers lost both games by no more than three points, largely due to their own inaccuracy in front of the posts.

The Giants are 2-0 as the home favourite against the Tigers, and a much more impressive 7-3 overall straight-up. Jeremy Cameron and Harry Himmelberg will enjoy free rein without Rance down back, but GWS can win this game easily if they replicate Collingwood’s methods from a week ago.

If the Giants can master the short game and force the Tigers to boot it long, it won’t be long before Cameron’s side turns the tables. Richmond will be relying on a bounce-back performance from Dustin Martin, but if they play him closer to the forward line, they leave plenty of risk in the midfield – an area they were dominated in a week ago.

Either way, it’s tough to see the Tigers having the pieces to pull this one out.

Tip: Back GWS 1-39 @ $2.18

Not since 2004 has a Brisbane/Port Adelaide game meant so much.

These two fast starters find themselves second and third on the ladder, setting up what could be a finals-like feel at The Gabba on Saturday night.

There’s probably only one word to describe Brisbane right now: dangerous. Chris Fagan’s side easily could have fallen behind in the first quarter against North last week, but it’s tough to bury a team comprising of so much talent.

Instead, the Lions fought back with five goals in the final term to earn an impressive 20-point win. Oscar McInerney remains a revelation in the forward line, but it’s also been a breakout start for 32-year-old utility man Stefan Martin.

Meanwhile down south, Port have plenty to feel good about. It wasn’t pretty, but the Power polished off Carlton by 16-points last week thanks to handy three-goal efforts from Brad Ebert and Steven Motlop. The only downside, of course, was the loss of Jack Watts to a broken leg.

The last time these two sides met at The Gabba was 2017 – an 83-point Port Adelaide win. The Power have won six-straight over the Lions dating back to 2015, but it goes without saying, the Lions could easily snap the streak this week.

For Brisbane, it’s all about starting fast. A perfect 2-0 start to the season is nice, but a perfect start to a game would be better. Brisbane have failed to win the first quarter in their opening two matches, while the same goes for the Power who have lost both opening quarters to Melbourne and Carlton respectively.

The Power find themselves as the underdog on the road this week. Port are 2-2 in this role over the last 12-months, while the Lions are 1-2 as the home favourite.

Even so, the stats don’t lie: Port is doing everything right. They not only lead the league in disposals they also rank second in uncontested possession and third in tackles. This game will be close, but if the Lions fall away early, it’ll be tough to come back against this stingy Power defence.

Tip: Back Port Adelaide To Win @ $2.30

A Saturday night Grand Final rematch headlines Round 3 as the Eagles look to claim their fourth-straight win over Collingwood.

The Pies head into this clash with momentum after carving up Richmond in their 44-point victory last week. Collingwood’s pressure was relentless as they laid down 58 tackles, but so was the brilliance of Jordan deGoey booting his first five-goal bag of the year.

West Coast took their time to heat up at home against GWS, only to steamroll the Giants in a 52-point win. Luke Shuey stole the show with a pair of goals and 28 disposals, but it was a much more methodical looking Eagles outfit compared to the one that lost to Brisbane in Round 1.

Even though both sides possess two of the more potent forward packs in the competition, the last three meetings between these two have been relatively low-scoring. Collingwood and West Coast have averaged just 159 points combined over their last three games – worthwhile information with Collingwood listed at such a short price.

As the favourites at home, the Pies are 8-1 against West Coast, while the Eagles are 3-3 as the away underdog in all games over the last 12 months. Much of this game will come down to who can win the clearance battle, as both sides rank inside the bottom 10 so far this year.

With all that in mind, including West Coast’s strong recent form in Melbourne, stick with the Points market.

Tip: Back Under 163.5 Total Points

The fourth quarter kings meet on Sunday following resounding come from behind victories over the Hawks and the Dockers last week.

Luke Beveridge’s side found themselves down by five goals entering the final quarter against Hawthorn, only to come back and win by 19-points thanks to some Tom Liberatore and Billy Gowers brilliance.

Likewise, the Suns also found themselves in a nail-biter at home against Fremantle. Gold Coast trailed by four goals at three-quarter time, only to come out in the final term and blitz the Dockers for a three-point win. David Swallow and Alex Sexton were particularly impressive for the Suns in the final minutes, setting up what should be a lively affair on Sunday.

It’s entirely possible that we slept on both clubs entering the season. The Dogs look as deadly as they were in 2016, and after what’s been an emotional week following the retirement of Liam Picken, expect the Westerners to be up and about for the contest.

The Suns also seem to relish this underdog role. Gold Coast delighted their home fans last week, but we’ve seen time and time again just how competitive the Suns can be on the road. Keep in mind, Stuart Dew’s side came within a point of defeating St. Kilda in Round 1, while they also polished off the Swans in Sydney last year.

So what’s in store this weekend?

The last time we saw these two sides together it was a narrow nine-point win for the Bulldogs in Ballarat. The Dogs have won five-straight over the Suns dating back to 2014, while it’s also worth noting these two have met only once at Marvel Stadium way back in 2011.

Even after the Dogs’ huge win over Hawthorn, the Suns look a little wide at this price, and so does the line. Gold Coast surprisingly rank sixth in disposals and sixth in clearances this year, while they also hold a winning 6-5 record as the line underdog.

Tip: Back the Suns to Cover the Line (+32.5 Points) @ $1.90

Hawks fans will feel hard done by after what was a controversial ending to Round 2. Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson chose not to “sook” on umpiring decisions after blowing a five-goal lead to the Bulldogs last week, instead focusing on the fact his side could be without Shaun Burgoyne for an indefinite amount of time.

The Roos also know a thing or two about blowing a lead. Brad Scott’s side led by two goals at both the quarter-time and half-time breaks, only to fall apart in the final term and lose by 20.

Hawthorn looked dominant at times last week, but there appears to be a lack of urgency with the ball. The Hawks were dominated in the disposals count, and at times struggled to gain an inside 50 entry for lengthy periods of the game.

The same could also be said for North, who simply failed to get creative when it came to creating scoring opportunities against the Lions. The Roos lack the forward power they used to have, and it’s evident in the fact they rank third-last in contested marks this season.

These two sides met only once last year with North Melbourne gaining the upper-hand in a 28-point win. Hawthorn have still won four of the last five, but with Burgoyne potentially gone short-term as well as Ben McEvoy, you have to wonder how the Hawks will fare around the loose ball and in the ruck.

Likewise, it’s tough to find faith in North, but the one saving grace might be their 5-3 record as the line underdog against Hawthorn. With talent and confidence low, expect a close one on Sunday.

Tip: Back North Melbourne to Cover the Line (+12.5 Points) @ $1.90

Take nothing away from the Saints, they’ve fought extra hard to earn a perfect start to the season. Now comes the true test, though: a trip to Perth.

Fremantle returns to Optus Stadium with plenty to think about after blowing a game against the Suns last week. Inaccuracy in front of goal cost the Dockers in the end, as Freo took 18 shots only to finish with eight goals to their name.

It’s tough to know whether the Saints are contenders or pretenders following two wins over struggling sides, but for the time being, they do look a little hard done by at this price. The Saints haven’t won against Freo in Perth since 2017, but perhaps the more telling stat is the fact both sides rank Top 5 in contested marks so far.

Despite holding a 4-1 record as the home favourite over the last 12 months, the Total is probably the safest bet here. The Total has gone Over 160-points in each of the last five meetings between St. Kilda and Fremantle, so expect this one to be a close one.

Tip: Back Over 164.5 Total Points

2018

The AFL Round 3 action gets underway with an intriguing Friday Night clash between Carlton and Collingwood and there are a host of grudge matches spread right across the weekend.

The Sydney Derby headlines Saturday’s fixtures before an unbeaten Hawthorn take on Richmond in a blockbuster at the MCG on Sunday afternoon.

We have analysed all nine games set to take place this weekend and our complete 2018 AFL Round 3 tips can be found below.

There is no rivalry in the AFL fiercer than that between Carlton and Collingwood and this is a very important game for both sides.

Collingwood gave the Greater Western Sydney Giants a genuine scare last weekend before they ran out of legs late and it is the Magpies that will go into this clash as clear favourites.

Favourtism is a position that Collingwood have struggled with over the past 12 months and they have won only five of their past ten games as the punter’s elect, while they are 4-6 against the line when giving away a start.

Carlton started their season with an excellent performance against Richmond, but they were beaten as short-priced favourites against the Gold Coast Suns last weekend.

The Blues were able to beat Collingwood as underdogs 12 months ago and backing them against the line when being given a start has been a highly profitable betting play.

Carlton are more than capable of winning this game and they are a great bet to beat the line with a start of 14.5 points.

Back Carlton To Cover The Line (+14.5 Points)

Port Adelaide are the shortest-priced favourites in the AFL this weekend.

The Power made it two wins from as many games this season with an upset victory over the Sydney Swans on Easter Sunday and if they can maintain that level throughout the season, they will be genuine premiership contenders.

Port Adelaide have won eight of their past 11 games as home favourites and they are 6-5 against the line in this scenario.

The Brisbane Lions have not been disgraced in either of their games this season and gave both the Saints and Demons a scare, but it is their inability to play a strong four quarters that has cost them.

Brisbane have won only one of their past 11 games as away underdogs, but they are a side that is often underestimated by the market and they are 8-3 against the line as away underdogs.

The line of 46.5 points for this clash does seem excessive and the Lions are a great bet to cover.

Back Brisbane To Cover The Line (+46.5 Points)

Melbourne survived a late scare against the Brisbane Lions to record their first win of the season and they will go into this clash with North Melbourne as clear favourites.

There is no doubt that this is a danger game for Melbourne – they have lost their past 17 games against North Melbourne and they have not beaten their rivals for over a decade.

The Demons have won only seven of their past 13 games favourites for a clear loss and they are a poor 4-9 against the line in this scenario.

It wasn’t pretty, but North Melbourne were able to record a big upset win over St Kilda on Good Friday and they are a side that does display plenty of toughness.

The Kangaroos have won five of their past 16 games as underdogs and they are 9-7 against the line in this scenario.

Melbourne have been very nervy during 2018 to date and this is another game that looks likely to be closer than it should be!

Back North Melbourne To Cover The Line (+23.5 Points)

This is officially a home game for the Gold Coast Suns, but it will be played at Optus Stadium in Perth due to the Commonwealth Games being held on the Gold Coast.

Fremantle recorded their first win of the season with an upset victory over Essendon and they will go into this clash as clear favourites.

The Dockers have won their past four games as home favourites and they are 3-1 against the line in this scenario.

Gold Coast claimed an upset win of their own when they beat Carlton last weekend and they have started the season 2-0 for just the second time in their history.

The Suns have won just one of their past nine games on the road for a clear loss and their record against the line isn’t great.

All this trouble is going to catch-up with the Suns at some point and Fremantle should be able to make it two wins on the trot.

Back Fremantle To Cover The Line (-16.5 Points)

The Sydney Derby has developed into one of the most exciting games on the AFL calendar and we are set for an outstanding game at the SCG on Saturday night.

Sydney may have been beaten by Port Adelaide last weekend, but they will still go into this clash with the GWS Giants as favourites.

The Swans have won 14 of their past 19 games as favourites and they have covered the line in all but one of these victories.

Greater Western Sydney didn’t make it look easy, but they were still able to come away with the four points from their clash with Collingwood at the MCG last Saturday.

There is no doubt that the Giants will need to improve on that effort to be any chance against Sydney and this will be a genuine measure of just where they are at this season.

The Giants have won only one of their past four games as underdogs and their record against the line in this scenario is no better.

Sydney can return to winning form and they are a good bet to cover the line in the process.

Back Sydney To Cover The Line (-6.5 Points)

It should come as no surprise that Adelaide will start this game as dominant favourites.

Adelaide defied an injury crisis to record a most impressive win over Richmond in the Grand Final Rematch and the performance of the under-fire Josh Jenkins would have been particularly satisfying for Crows fans.

The Crows have won six of their past nine games as away favourites and they are 5-4 against the line in this scenario, while they have won their past seven games against St Kilda.

St Kilda were nothing short of disgraceful in their Good Friday clash against North Melbourne and they are a side that do have plenty of issues – both physically and mentally.

The Saints have won two of their past four games as home underdogs for a profit, but the games they have lost in this scenario they have lost heavily.

Adelaide’s outstanding record against St Kilda can’t be ignored and they are a safe bet to make it eight wins on the trot against their rivals.

Back Adelaide To Beat The Line (-19.5 Points)

This is a genuine blockbuster and there will be a huge crowd at the MCG on Sunday afternoon.

Richmond may have lost the Grand Final rematch against Adelaide, but they will still go into this clash with Hawthorn as clear favourites.

A lack of composure at key moments cost Richmond against Adelaide, but there were still some positives to take from the performance and there are no signs of a premiership hangover.

The Tigers have won 11 of their past 14 games as favourites and they are 9-5 against the line in this scenario, while they have won their past eight games at the MCG.

Hawthorn clung on to beat Geelong in their Easter Monday thriller and there has been a lot to like about the way that the Hawks have started the season.

The Hawks have won seven of their past 14 games as underdogs and they are 9-5 against the line in this scenario.

This is set to be an outstanding game, but the market does look to have it just about right and I am happy to stay out from a betting perspective.

No Bet

We may be only two rounds into the AFL season, but the Western Bulldogs are already a side in crisis.

The Bulldogs have been extremely poor against both the GWS Giants and the West Coast Eagles – with the 2016 AFL Premiers suffering a pair of 50+ point defeats.

They will go into this clash as clear underdogs and their record in this scenario has been poor over the past 12 months – they have won only one of their past seven games and they are a poor 3-4 against the line.

Essendon started their season with a classy win over Adelaide, but they regressed to go down to Fremantle last weekend and they are still showing the inconsistency that plagued them last season.

The Bombers have won only five of their past nine games as favourites and they are a poor 2-7 against the line in this scenario.

The betting market that does appeal in this clash is the Under in Total Points betting.

Scoring points has proven to be an issue for the Western Bulldogs during this season to date and the Under has saluted in 14 of their past 22 games, while it is generally a profitable betting play in games at Etihad Stadium.

Back Under 188.5 Points

This is one of the most interesting games of the weekend and there is very little between the two sides in betting.

Geelong played out their second thriller in as many weeks against Hawthorn on Easter Monday, but this time they were unable to come away with the victory.

The fact that Patrick Dangerfield, Joel Selwood and Gary Ablett all got through the game unscathed is a big positive and they are sure to benefit from that experience of playing together for the first time.

The Cats have won five of their past eight games as away favourites for a small loss and they are a middling 2-2 against the line in this scenario.

West Coast were nothing short of dominant against the Western Bulldogs last weekend and they are always tough to beat in front of their home fans.

The home side has won eight of the past nine games played between these two sides and Geelong are also on the quick back-up.

There really isn’t a great deal between these two teams, but there is a touch of value at the current price available for a West Coast win.

Back West Coast To Win @ $2.05

2017

We are only two weeks into the 2017 AFL season, but there are already a number teams under a great deal of pressure.

The Sydney Swans and Collingwood have both started the season 0-2 and they meet in a must-win Friday night clash, while the Gold Coast Suns and Hawthorn will also be chasing their first wins of the season on Sunday afternoon.

Our 2017 AFL Round 3 tips can be found below and there are plenty of betting opportunities in every single game this weekend.

The pressure on the side that loses this Friday Night Football clash will be massive.

The Sydney Swans went down to the Western Bulldogs in the Grand Final Rematch last Friday night, but they will still go into this clash with Collingwood as clear favourites.

Sydney have been far from disgraced in both their games so far this season and they have won nine of their past 14 games as home favourites, while they are 8-6 against the line in this scenario.

Collingwood had their chances against both the Western Bulldogs and Richmond, but a lack of execution and too many skill errors let them down in both fixtures.

The Magpies have won two of their past seven games as away underdogs for a profit, but more impressively they are 5-2 against the line in this scenario.

This is one clash that the market looks to have got just about right, but there is value in the Total Points betting market.

The under has saluted in 13 of the past 23 games played by Collingwood and Sydney have generally been an Unders team through the modern era.

This has the potential to be a tense, low-scoring affair and I would be surprised if they covered the Total Points line of 185.5 points.

Back Under 185.5 Points

Greater Western Sydney are the shortest-priced favourites of the weekend in the AFL.

The Giants returned to their best form with an emphatic victory over the Gold Coast Suns and they have every opportunity to do the same against North Melbourne on Saturday afternoon.

Greater Western Sydney have won seven of their past nine games as away favourites for a narrow profit, but they are only 1-2 against the line in this scenario.

North Melbourne played some quality football against Geelong, but they were still unable to come away with the four points and they have now lost seven games on the trot.

Winning as underdogs has been a big issue for North Melbourne – they have lost their past ten games as underdogs and their record against the line in this scenario is a very poor 3-7.

The one positive for North Melbourne is the fact that this game is being played at Blundstone Arena.

The Kangaroos have won nine of their past 12 games at the venue and they have covered the line in three of their four games as underdogs at the ground.

It is tough to see North Melbourne winning this game, but they can cover the line with a start of 31.5 points.

Back North Melbourne To Beat The Line (+31.5 Points)

Both Richmond and West Coast take unbeaten records into this clash and it is set to be one of the most interesting fixtures of the weekend.

West Coast were far from impressive against St Kilda last weekend, but they came away with the four points and they will start this clash as clear favourites.

Winning away from home has not been an issue for West Coast over the past 12 months and they have won five of their past six games as away favourites, but they are only 3-3 against the line in this scenario.

It was not pretty, but Richmond came away with the four points from their clash with Collingwood and they have played some excellent football at times this season.

The Tigers have won three of their past six games as home underdogs and their record against the line is a profitable 4-2.

I really don’t think there is as much between these two teams as the current betting market suggests and Richmond are a solid bet to cover the line with a start of 12.5 points.

Back Richmond To Beat The Line (+12.5 Points)

Melbourne have made a winning start to the 2017 AFL season, but they will face easily their toughest test to date against Geelong this weekend.

Geelong got out of jail late to score a very narrow victory over North Melbourne and they will go into this clash with Melbourne as clear favourites.

The Cats have won 16 of their past 21 games as favourites, but their record against the line when giving away a start is poor and they are a side that do often underperform market expectations.

Melbourne did not play well against Carlton last weekend, but they still came away with the four points and that is exactly what they need to do to have any chance of playing finals football this season.

The Demons have won six of their past 14 games as away underdogs for a clear profit and they are a most impressive 10-4 against the line when being given a start.

They will go into this clash without both Jesse Hogan and Jordan Lewis due to suspension, but Melbourne will be keen to perform in their first opportunity against a big side this season and they can cover the line with a healthy start.

Back Melbourne To Beat The Line (+17.5 Points)

Showdown is always one of the highlights of the AFL season and the fact that these teams sit on top of the ladder make this an even more important contest.

No team in the AFL has been more impressive than Adelaide in the opening two rounds of the season and they go into this clash as clear favourites following their impressive wins over the Greater Western Sydney Giants and Hawthorn.

Adelaide are a team that generally do get the job done as favourites and they have won 13 of their past 16 games as the punter’s elect, while they are 9-7 against the line in this scenario.

Port Adelaide backed up their win over Sydney with a demolition job of Fremantle and they will go into this clash with plenty of confidence.

The Adelaide Oval has been far from a happy hunting ground for Adelaide over the past 12 months and they have won just three of their past ten games at the venue, while they have lost their past five games as home underdogs.

They have lost four of their past five meetings with their local rivals and it is fair to say that the Crows do look to have a clear edge over their rivals in terms of quality.

Adelaide should be able to continue their flawless start to the season and the line of 12.5 points will not be enough.

Back Adelaide To Beat The Line (-12.5 Points)

Any chances of a Fremantle bounce-back in 2017 are already out the window and the Dockers have been putrid in the first two weeks of the season.

The Western Bulldogs have started their premiership defence with two fighting wins over Collingwood and Sydney and it is no surprise that they will go into this clash as dominant favourites.

Winning away from home has not been an issue for the Western Bulldogs and they have won five of their past six games as away favourites, but they are only 2-4 against the line in this scenario.

Fremantle were poor in their opening round defeat against Geelong, but they were nothing short of disgraceful against Port Adelaide last weekend.

There is simply no enthusiasm in this side and they could be in for another very long season if things do not change extremely quickly.

The Dockers have won only two of their past nine games as home underdogs for a clear loss and their record against the line is not much better.

The Western Bulldogs should be able to record a comfortable victory, but there is no value at their current price and I am happy to stay out of this clash from a betting standpoint.

No Bet

The Brisbane Lions have made a promising start to the AFL season, but it is St Kilda that will go into this clash as clear favourites.

St Kilda were in front for a long way against West Coast, but they ran out of legs late and that has been the case in both their games so far this season.

The Saints have won three of their past four games as home favourites and they do have the same record against the line – they generally do get the job done in games that they should win.

Brisbane were another team that ran out of gas late last weekend, but there have still been plenty of positives to the way that they have started the season.

The Lions have generally struggled in Melbourne in recent seasons and they have won only two of their past 11 games as away underdogs, while their record against the line in this scenario is very poor.

It really would not surprise to see the Lions regress this weekend  and St Kilda are a safe bet to record a comfortable win.

Back St Kilda To Beat The Line (-32.5 Points)

Essendon have made a winning start to the 2017 AFL season and they are clear favourites to make it three wins on the trot when they face Carlton on Sunday afternoon.

The Bombers survived a scare from the Brisbane Lions to eventually score a comfortable victory and they are in a similar position against Carlton.

Carlton had their opportunities against Melbourne last weekend, but they were wasteful inside their forward 50 and scoring goals continues to be an issue.

The Blues have won five of their past 16 games as home underdogs for a clear profit and they are 10-6 against the line when giving away a start.

The market looks to have got this game just about right, but there is value backing the Under in the Total Points betting market.

Carlton have really struggled to score points and it really would not surprise if this was a fairly ugly game on the big field that is the MCG.

Back Under 180.5 Points

Both the Gold Coast Suns and Hawthorn are yet to win a game this season and the pressure is on both these sides heading into this clash.

Hawthorn have not been disgraced in either of their games this season, but it is clear that they are missing the likes of Sam Mitchell and Jordan Lewis at key moments.

They will start this clash with the Suns as clear favourites and the alarm bells will really sound if they are unable to come away with the victory.

The Hawks have won six of their past nine games as away favourites for a narrow loss and they are 3-6 against the line in this scenario.

2017 has already been nothing short of a disaster for the Gold Coast Suns and they followed their loss to the Brisbane Lions up with a very flat effort against Greater Western Sydney.

The Suns have lost their past 14 games as underdogs and they have covered the line in just one of their past five games as home underdogs.

This is another game where all the value lies in the Total Points betting market.

The Suns have struggled defensively in both their games so far this season and the Over has saluted in 28 of their past 46 games, so it would not surprise to see Hawthorn put a big score on their rivals.

Back Over 199.5 Points

2016

Round 3 of the 2016 AFL season is headlined by two big Derbies.

The gap between the Sydney Swans and Greater Western Sydney Giants has closed significantly in recent years and the Giants have the chance to record their second Derby win on Saturday afternoon before the West Coast Eagles and Fremantle do battle in the Western Derby a couple of hours later.

I made a pledge last week to continue to avoid betting on games involving Essendon until we get a handle on just how good they are going to be this season and I am glad I did that because they came out and stunned the Melbourne Demons.

They are unlikely to be able to do the same against Port Adelaide this weekend, but it once again emphasises the fact that dealing with the Bombers is going to be tricky business this season.

Port Adelaide were very disappointing against the Adelaide Crows in Showdown last weekend and it is tough to back a side at $1.07 that has won just six of their past 11 games as home favourites and are a simply appalling 3-8 against the line in this scenario.

Once again, I am happy to stay out of the Bombers game this weekend, but if they perform well again this weekend I could entertain the prospect of including them in round 4.

Recommended Bet: No Bet

St Kilda have struggled at the start of the 2016 AFL season and they were completely outplayed against the Western Bulldogs.

The Saints have been very poor as a betting proposition in the past 12 months and they have beaten the line in only 8 of their past 21 games as underdogs.

Collingwood did not play well against Richmond, but they were still able to get the job done and they will start this fixture as clear favourites,

The Magpies are 5-7 against the line as favourites in the past 12 months and it is tough to back them with any confidence based on their performances in the first two runs of the season.

This is a game that the market appears to have got just about right and I am happy to stay out from a betting perspective.

Recommended Bet: No Bet

Richmond have made a habit of losing the unlosable in recent seasons and they were at it again against Collingwood last weekend.

The Tigers wasted opportunity after opportunity to ice the game against Collingwood and their inability to close out a game really is spectacular.

The positive factor for Richmond fans is that they will now go into this clash with the Crows as underdogs and this is a position in which they have thrived – they have incredibly won five out of their past six games as underdogs for a sizeable profit.

Adelaide were nothing short of outstanding against Port Adelaide last weekend and if they are able to replicate that performance they will be very tough to beat, but I expect them to regress somewhat this weekend.

It would be classic Richmond if they were able to come out and blow away the Adelaide Crows this weekend and I think that is exactly what they will do.

Recommended Bet: Back Richmond To Win @ $2.05

The Sydney Swans have made a very strong start to the 2016 AFL season with two impressive wins, while the Greater Western Sydney Giants bounced back in a big way to stun Geelong.

Sydney have only lost to their local rivals on one occasion and they will go into this game as a clear favourite, but their record as home favourites in recent times is not spectacular and they are 4-7 against the line in this scenario in the past 12 months.

The Giants showed what they were capable of with a very professional performance against the Cats and I am confident they will go close to upstaging the Swans this weekend.

Greater Western Sydney did not win a game as away underdogs last season, but they are 4-2 against the line in this scenario and they look a very good bet to cover with a start of 19.5 points.

Recommended Bet: Back Greater Western Sydney To Cover The Line (+19.5 Points)

The Gold Coast Suns showed that they could be the real deal when they scored a most impressive victory over Fremantle last Saturday night and they are very short-priced favourites to make it three victories on the trot.

Favourtism is a position that has not come to the Suns regularly, but they have won three of their past four games as the punters elect and are 2-2 against the line in this scenario.

Carlton were far from disgraced against Richmond in the opening round of the season, but they were no match for Sydney last weekend.

The Blues have lost their past 11 games as away underdogs and their record against the spread is middling.

The one betting market that does stand out to me here is Total Points as the Over has saluted in all four games involving the Blues or the Suns this season and have traditionally been overs team in recent seasons.

Recommended Bet: Back Over 183.5 Points

The Western Derby is always a very important fixture and it is of extra importance for Fremantle this season after their disastrous start to the season.

The Dockers were extremely poor against both the Western Bulldogs and the Gold Coast Suns and a similar performance would see them flogged by their biggest rivals.

West Coast were no match for Hawthorn last weekend, but they are still set to start this game as clear favourites – a position in which they haven’t lost at home in in the past 12 months.

The Eagles are a simply incredible 10-1 against the line as home favourites over this same period, while the Dockers have covered the line in just one of their past six games as underdogs.

I think things will get worse before they get better for the Dockers and West Coast are a great bet to beat the line even when giving up a start of 17.5 points.

Recommended Bet: Back The West Coast Eagles To Beat The Line (-17.5 Points)

North Melbourne have flown under the radar during the 2016 AFL season to date, but they are 2-0 and are are a great chance to make it three wins on the trot against Melbourne.

The Melbourne faithful were delirious with delight when their side beat the Greater Western Sydney Giants in round 1, but that quickly turned to anger when the Demons put up a truly hapless effort against the Bombers.

North Melbourne are a very safe bet as favourites and they have won 13 out of their past 15 games as the punter’s elect and their record against the line in the same scenario is a profitable 10-5.

The Demons have won three out of their past nine games as away underdogs and are not a bad play in this scenario, but the Kangaroos always come to play at Blundstone Arena and have covered the line in their past five games at the venue.

Recommended Bet: Back North Melbourne To Beat The Line (-23.5 Points)

This is easily the game of the round and it will be a real test of just how good this Western Bulldogs outfit is.

They sit on top of the table after a pair of outstanding performances and this obviously represents a tougher challenge, but they have still be respected by the market and are only narrow underdogs.

A number of AFL experts were quick to write off the Hawks following their round 1 loss to Geelong – thankfully not this one – and they quickly returned to their best with a strong all-round performance against the West Coast Eagles.

The Hawks have been a profitable betting proposition against the line as favourites in the past 12 months, but the Western Bulldogs are a most impressive 4-0 against the line as underdogs at Etihad Stadium.

Hawthorn have only covered the line in six of their past 13 games at Etihad Stadium and that factor makes me lean towards the Bulldogs with a start of 6.5 points.

Recommended Bet: Back The Western Bulldogs To Beat The Line (+6.5 Points)

Geelong received a major doze of reality when they went down to the Greater Western Sydney Giants last weekend, but they should be able to return to winning form against the Brisbane Lions on Saturday.

The Cats have been a very narrow winning proposition as favourites in the past 12 months, but they have struggled against the line somewhat in this scenario.

The Lions have not been that bad against either the Eagles or the Kangaroos, but they really struggle to keep defend for four quarters.

Brisbane have won just one of their past 11 games as away underdogs and their record against the Lions in this scenario is a very poor 3-8.

Geelong should win easily, but the line of 55.5 points seems just about right and I am happy to stay out of this game from a betting perspective.