Round 2 AFL Preview
Thursday
Richmond vs Collingwood @ The MCG - 19:20
Geez, it's only the first game of the round and already we have a tough one to pick!
Last week the Tigers did enough to keep Carlton at bay but, unfortunately for Collingwood, they couldn't hold the Cats (see, Tim Kelly) at bay enough to get a win. In the end, the Pies went down by 7 points.
Both Collingwood and Richmond looked rusty; Richmond got the win; Collingwood played the much better team... Why can't we ever get apples vs apples???
Have the Tigers learned from their Preliminary Final loss or will the Pies midfield run rampant again? I'm going with a lesson learned.
Tigers by 7
Friday
Sydney vs Adelaide @ The SCG - 19:50
OMG Sydney was just horrid against the Bulldogs last week! *ECHO* OMG Adelaide was just horrid against the Hawks last week! So what went wrong for these two teams? What can we learn from this game? *hears crickets...*
Since 2015 all but one game between these two teams has gone to the home team. That one exception was last year when Adelaide beat Sydney at Sydney. So on that note...
Adelaide by 11
Saturday
Essendon vs St. Kilda @ Marvel Stadium - 16:35
I reckon Essendon was the most disappointing team in Round 1. While there is nothing wrong with losing a game of footy, especially not to GWS, the lack of effort would be a real worry for the Bomber's coaching staff. On the other hand, the Saints managed to hold on for a thrilling 1 point win over the Suns. While this may not make any record books, a win's a win!
With ambitions of a top-four finish in 2019, the Bombers need to start playing like a team who wants to be there and, after what I am sure has been many 'rockets' during the week, I am expecting them to come out and play much better footy this week. As for the Saints, I think their supporters are going to have a looong year.
Essendon by 28
Port Adelaide vs Carlton @ Adelaide Oval - 17:10
Port Adelaide came out last week and physically owned Melbourne; it's equivalent, in the wrestling world, would have been the match of 'The Rock vs My Accountant'. Port then got the ball, spread well and moved it forward with speed and precision. They really were very impressive, and a bit unexpectedly so... While Carlton certainly looked to have improved on last season, the Tigers were able to pull away comfortably when needed. Based on last week's form, Carlton is coming up against a team in more imposing form for Round 2, and it could get ugly.
If you have a knock-out pick to play, this will be one of the safer games to use it on!
Port Adelaide by 42
Geelong vs Melbourne @ GMHBA Stadium - 19:25
If I was putting my season's tips in upfront last week, I would have locked this one in for the Demons buuut after both team's Round 1 showings, and the fact the game is being played down south in Geelong, I have done a '180' spin and am now going with the home team. The big questions that will determine whether I am correct or not, are... Will Melbourne be shattered after last week, or come out with a point to prove? Will the Cats be a touch complacent being at home, or will heading back to the Cattery give them an extra lift to get past another quality team in the Demons?
Geelong by 10
West Coast vs GWS Giants @ Optus Stadium - 20:10
After getting belted by the Brisbane Lions last week, I bet the West Coast players are feeling VERY good about being back home in Perth for their Round 2 match against GWS. While the Giants haven't won in Perth since Round 10, 2017, this is a new year and another attempt is about to take place. For the home team, they were belted all around the park by a greatly improved Brisbane but were without their most important forward, being Josh Kennedy, who was out with a sore foot and expected to return for this match.
The bookies are with the Eagles, the 'experts' are with the Eagles but I am going to go with the Giants. No, the Eagles! No, the Giants! No, the Eagles! Arrgghhh...
Eagles by 5
Sunday
North Melbourne vs Brisbane @ Marvel Stadium - 13:10
Having performed well over west in past seasons, the Roos were demolished by a slick Fremantle outfit last weekend; they couldn't even get 10 goals on the board! As a complete opposite, the (mostly) young Lions out hunted the reigning premiers, in Brisbane, for a tremendous win.
With a chilly Sunday forecast (just 17c) I would think the Kangaroos would get the win if it was at the MCG, but inside the domed Marvel Stadium (tra la laaa) the red-hot Lions have the chance to keep their great start to the season rolling along.
Brisbane by 20
Hawthorn vs Western Bulldogs @ The MCG - 15:20
Even without their ball-magnet, Tom Mitchell, the Hawks easily accounted for the Crows in Adelaide last weekend; the Hawthorn defence was just terrific in that game, making life very hard for Betts, Walker and Co! With Naughton shining bright, and gun vice-captain Bontempelli always providing an option, the Doggies got the win against the Swans at Marvel Stadium (tra la laaa), but this game is at the G! The last time these two teams met the Hawks gave the Doggies a fair belting, winning 122 to 59. While I am not expecting such a wide gap for this game, the Hawks are looking in good form and should have a 2 in their win column after the game.
Hawthorn by 22
Gold Coast vs Fremantle @ Metricon Stadium - 15:40
The Suns headed south last weekend and had enough chances to snatch a win from the Saints, but didn't.
The Dockers played the Kangaroos at home and unveiled a new game style that was certainly a plus for them, with McCarthy and Hill really stamping their authority on the game in the first half. While Sun's fans will be hoping for an improvement this week, they are coming up against a more formidable team in the Dockers. Did I mention that Fyfe sat out most of the fourth quarter yet still ended up with 32 possessions and a goal...?
Dockers by 38
Richmond vs Collingwood @ The MCG - 19:20
Geez, it's only the first game of the round and already we have a tough one to pick!
Last week the Tigers did enough to keep Carlton at bay but, unfortunately for Collingwood, they couldn't hold the Cats (see, Tim Kelly) at bay enough to get a win. In the end, the Pies went down by 7 points.
Both Collingwood and Richmond looked rusty; Richmond got the win; Collingwood played the much better team... Why can't we ever get apples vs apples???
Have the Tigers learned from their Preliminary Final loss or will the Pies midfield run rampant again? I'm going with a lesson learned.
Tigers by 7
Friday
Sydney vs Adelaide @ The SCG - 19:50
OMG Sydney was just horrid against the Bulldogs last week! *ECHO* OMG Adelaide was just horrid against the Hawks last week! So what went wrong for these two teams? What can we learn from this game? *hears crickets...*
Since 2015 all but one game between these two teams has gone to the home team. That one exception was last year when Adelaide beat Sydney at Sydney. So on that note...
Adelaide by 11
Saturday
Essendon vs St. Kilda @ Marvel Stadium - 16:35
I reckon Essendon was the most disappointing team in Round 1. While there is nothing wrong with losing a game of footy, especially not to GWS, the lack of effort would be a real worry for the Bomber's coaching staff. On the other hand, the Saints managed to hold on for a thrilling 1 point win over the Suns. While this may not make any record books, a win's a win!
With ambitions of a top-four finish in 2019, the Bombers need to start playing like a team who wants to be there and, after what I am sure has been many 'rockets' during the week, I am expecting them to come out and play much better footy this week. As for the Saints, I think their supporters are going to have a looong year.
Essendon by 28
Port Adelaide vs Carlton @ Adelaide Oval - 17:10
Port Adelaide came out last week and physically owned Melbourne; it's equivalent, in the wrestling world, would have been the match of 'The Rock vs My Accountant'. Port then got the ball, spread well and moved it forward with speed and precision. They really were very impressive, and a bit unexpectedly so... While Carlton certainly looked to have improved on last season, the Tigers were able to pull away comfortably when needed. Based on last week's form, Carlton is coming up against a team in more imposing form for Round 2, and it could get ugly.
If you have a knock-out pick to play, this will be one of the safer games to use it on!
Port Adelaide by 42
Geelong vs Melbourne @ GMHBA Stadium - 19:25
If I was putting my season's tips in upfront last week, I would have locked this one in for the Demons buuut after both team's Round 1 showings, and the fact the game is being played down south in Geelong, I have done a '180' spin and am now going with the home team. The big questions that will determine whether I am correct or not, are... Will Melbourne be shattered after last week, or come out with a point to prove? Will the Cats be a touch complacent being at home, or will heading back to the Cattery give them an extra lift to get past another quality team in the Demons?
Geelong by 10
West Coast vs GWS Giants @ Optus Stadium - 20:10
After getting belted by the Brisbane Lions last week, I bet the West Coast players are feeling VERY good about being back home in Perth for their Round 2 match against GWS. While the Giants haven't won in Perth since Round 10, 2017, this is a new year and another attempt is about to take place. For the home team, they were belted all around the park by a greatly improved Brisbane but were without their most important forward, being Josh Kennedy, who was out with a sore foot and expected to return for this match.
The bookies are with the Eagles, the 'experts' are with the Eagles but I am going to go with the Giants. No, the Eagles! No, the Giants! No, the Eagles! Arrgghhh...
Eagles by 5
Sunday
North Melbourne vs Brisbane @ Marvel Stadium - 13:10
Having performed well over west in past seasons, the Roos were demolished by a slick Fremantle outfit last weekend; they couldn't even get 10 goals on the board! As a complete opposite, the (mostly) young Lions out hunted the reigning premiers, in Brisbane, for a tremendous win.
With a chilly Sunday forecast (just 17c) I would think the Kangaroos would get the win if it was at the MCG, but inside the domed Marvel Stadium (tra la laaa) the red-hot Lions have the chance to keep their great start to the season rolling along.
Brisbane by 20
Hawthorn vs Western Bulldogs @ The MCG - 15:20
Even without their ball-magnet, Tom Mitchell, the Hawks easily accounted for the Crows in Adelaide last weekend; the Hawthorn defence was just terrific in that game, making life very hard for Betts, Walker and Co! With Naughton shining bright, and gun vice-captain Bontempelli always providing an option, the Doggies got the win against the Swans at Marvel Stadium (tra la laaa), but this game is at the G! The last time these two teams met the Hawks gave the Doggies a fair belting, winning 122 to 59. While I am not expecting such a wide gap for this game, the Hawks are looking in good form and should have a 2 in their win column after the game.
Hawthorn by 22
Gold Coast vs Fremantle @ Metricon Stadium - 15:40
The Suns headed south last weekend and had enough chances to snatch a win from the Saints, but didn't.
The Dockers played the Kangaroos at home and unveiled a new game style that was certainly a plus for them, with McCarthy and Hill really stamping their authority on the game in the first half. While Sun's fans will be hoping for an improvement this week, they are coming up against a more formidable team in the Dockers. Did I mention that Fyfe sat out most of the fourth quarter yet still ended up with 32 possessions and a goal...?
Dockers by 38
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