Round 2 in the AFL begins on Thursday night with an intriguing clash at the MCG between St Kilda and Collingwood. Both clubs are looking for their first win of the season which should make for a fierce battle in front of a bumper crowd. We bring you our full match preview, best bet, and Same Game Multi below!
Also, Before You Bet will be providing free previews and betting tips for EVERY game in the 2024 AFL season, so make sure to head over to out our AFL Tips regularly to keep up to date with all of our free content.
2024 AFL Round 2 Preview & Betting Tips
St Kilda vs Collingwood
Thursday 7:30pm AEDT, March 21st, MCG
Unable to get the chocolates in their first official outing in 2024, St Kilda will get the opportunity to play their first ‘home’ game of the season on Thursday night. The Saints put up a solid fight away against the Cats in Round 1 and even got within a single point in the dying minutes, however they would eventually go onto lose by eight points at GMHBA Stadium (68-76).
Although the Saints ended up slightly ahead in both clearances (39-36) and contested possessions (123-119), a lot of the game was played in Geelong’s front half, which was represented in the inside 50 count which the Saints lost convincingly (44-63).
The Saints looked a bit one-paced in the midfield at times with the combination of Steele, Crouch, Phillipou, and Ross struggling with their spread from the contest, which resulted in the latter getting tactically subbed in the second half. New recruit Liam Henry got his opportunity in the middle of the park as a result with nine centre bounce attendances, most of which came in the fourth quarter where he was able to make a significant impact.
In important injury news, reigning back-to-back best and fairest winner Jack Sinclair is a chance to return on Thursday night after overcoming a calf injury. And if he’s fit and ready to go, you can expect to see his much-needed run and dash injected into the Saints midfield.
Also looking to get their first win of the season this Thursday are Collingwood. Talks of a premiership hangover intensified after last weekend’s 33-point loss to the Swans (69-102) where they were dominated by a seemingly much hungrier team, particularly in the middle two quarters where they were outscored by 42 points (64-22).
Nick Daicos, who in Round 2 will play his 50th AFL game, was fantastic in the middle with 37 disposals, seven clearances, and a goal, although the rest of the Magpies midfield contingent were all relatively uninfluential.
The Magpies were inferior compared to the Swans in some of the key defensive and effort metrics including tackles (51-72), tackles inside forward 50 (12-15), and one percenters (41-56). On top of that, the Magpies were -10 in marks inside 50 (9-19) and conceded a whopping 78 points off turnover – the third worst mark under Craig Macrae.
Match prediction: These clubs typically only meet once per year and their sole meeting in 2023 came at the Adelaide Oval in Gather Round, with the Magpies coming away with a six-point win in a see-sawing affair (70-64). The Magpies have now won five of their last six clashes with the Saints, although their sole defeat during that span was in 2021 which was the last time they met at the MCG.
Regardless, you can expect another tight tussle between these sides and the current odds suggest exactly that. In saying that, the Saints have been given a +9.5 start at Betr and considering the underwhelming form the Magpies have displayed thus far, I’m happy to take the Saints to cover that for a small play.
St Kilda +9.5
$1.90 (1.5 Units)
Same Game Multi
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Max Kings 2+ Goals – Started the season well with two goals in Round 1 and it should’ve been a lot more than that. Will get his opportunities again in front of goal on Thursday night against the likely matchup in Darcy Moore.
Bobby Hill 1+ Goals – Has kicked three goals from two games so far in 2024 and has looked dangerous. You can expect him to hit the scoreboard again.
Nick Daicos 30+ Disposals – Was the lone ranger in the Magpies midfield last weekend with 37 disposals. He had 42 against the Saints last time they met and will have another big outing in game 50.
Mitch Owens 15+ Disposals – Quiet last weekend but we know how good he is. Has the second ruck duties and should be around the ball enough to get at least 15 touches.
SGM Odds: $4.20 at BoomBet
