The opening weekend of the 2023 AFL season rounds out with an intriguing clash between the Saints and Dockers at Marvel Stadium from 4.40pm. PuntingInDanger is back on deck this season and has you covered with a full preview and betting tips for the clash below.
Remember to head to our AFL Tips page for regular updates throughout the 2023 season, including our running Brownlow leaderboard.
AFL St Kilda vs Fremantle Betting Tips
Marvel Stadium, Sunday 19th March, 4.40pm (AEDT)
It’s been a tumultuous pre-season for the Saints, who are without doubt the unhealthiest side leading into Round 1. They currently have 14 players on the injury list, eight of which could be considered best 22 players, which means they’ll have their backs against the wall from the opening game of the season.
Amongst the long list of names who will be out for the start of the season is Max King, Jack Billings, Nick Coffield, Jack Hayes, Zak Jones, Dan McKenzie, Tim Membrey, Seb Ross and Marcus Windhager. The positive for the Saints is that it will give plenty of opportunity to emerging players such as Mitch Owens, Mattaes Phillipou, Anthony Caminiti, Ryan Byrnes and Jack Bytel. It’ll certainly be a test for new coach Ross Lyon, especially as he faces his old side in Round 1.
On the contrary to the Saints, Fremantle have had a largely uninteruppted pre-season so far. They have only two players in Travis Coyler and Michael Walters currently on the injury list, and will go into the season with a healthy Nat Fyfe for the first time in a few years.
The Dockers defence and midfield is rock solid leading into the season, with AA contenders galore in those two areas of the ground. It’s their forward line that could be a slight issue. Fyfe will be asked to play further forward this year and his reliability in front of goals could be the lynchpin to the Dockers success. Fremantle did add talent in the off-season, picking up ruckman Luke Jackson from Melbourne and Jaeger O’Meara from Hawthorn to add to their already impressive midfield depth.
The Dockers start as 10.5 point favourites on the road. Which I think is a little low. They were 41 point winners over the Saints at Marvel Stadium in Round 17 last season and the Saints had a lot more talent at their disposal that night. The Dockers are making a real tilt at the top four this season and they were super impressive in their pre-season game against the Power, winning by 31 points. Back them to get the job done here against an undermanned Saints side.
Fremantle -10.5
$1.90 (2 Units)
Same Game Multi
The easiest way to place your Same Game Multi is to click on the BoomBet BetShare button below! This will add our SGM selections straight into your BoomBet bet slip! You can then enter how much you wish to wager and with one click, your bet has been placed!
Like the two stars of this game to kick off their season with strong perforamnces in Jack Steele and Andrew Brayshaw. They were the two best players on the ground in the Round 17 clash last season, combining for 265 fantasy points and 64 touches. With Marcus Windhager out, Brayshaw shouldn’t cop a heavy tag either.
I’m buying Nat Fyfe stock this year. He had his issues in front of goal last season but for a player of his calibre, one pre-season is enough to sort out set shot woes, and his body type is ready made to become one of the most damaging mid/key forwards in the game. Kicked three in the win over the Saints last season, back him for 2+ on Sunday.
Andrew Brayshaw 30+ Disposals
Jack Steele 25+ Disposals
Nat Fyfe 2+ Goals
Same Game Multi Odds - $4.75
