Three big games in the AFL this Sunday getting underway at 1.05pm with the Giants taking on the Kangaroos. The triple header continues throughout the afternoon and we have you covered with a full preview and betting tips for all three games below.
AFL Round 2 Betting Tips Sunday
Greater Western Sydney Giants vs North Melbourne Kangaroos
Giants Stadium, 1.05pm (AEST)
The Giants looked in fantastic form back in Round 1 in March as they recorded a 32 point win at home over the Cats. Toby Greene, Harry Perryman and Jeremy Cameron were in great touch in the win, combining for 11 goals while Jacob Hopper controlled the midfield battle with 22 touches. Midfielder Callan Ward could make his return from a knee injury this week but the Giants will be without Tim Taranto due to a shoulder injury.
The Kangaroos trailed by almost six goals in a low scoring game against St Kilda in Round 1 butfound their step in the second half to capture a two point win. Ben Cunington was dominant in the win, racking up 25 touches, 16 of them contested, and kicking two goals. The Kangaroos have one of the longest injury lists in the league heading into Round 2, with Daw, Garner, Larkey, Turner Williams and Vickers-Willis all set to miss this week.
The Giants start as 19.5 point favourites here and we are happy to side with them at that line. North Melbourne looked really lacklustre for most of their Round 1 clash against St Kilda before the Saints took their foot off the pedal in the last quarter. The Giants should be one of the better teams in the league this season and at home, should cover this line.
Prop: Kelly 25+ Disposals $1.91
Sydney vs Essendon
SCG, 3.35pm (AEST)
The Swans and Bombers have played in some thrillers over the last few years and the rivalry will get another instalment this Sunday when they meet at the SCG. The Swans were narrow winners over the Crows in Round 1 without Lance Franklin and they’ll need to continue to find a way to get the job done without him, with the star forward set to miss at least another month with a hamstring injury.
The Bombers also have a pretty daunting looking injury list which will see the likes of Daniher, Fantasia and possibly others miss this weekend’s clash. They recorded a six point win at home over the Dockers in Round 1 but will be on the road in Sydney this weekend, somewhere they haven’t won since the turn of the decade.
That stat is a daunting one for the Bombers. They don’t play well in Sydney and they’ll need to break a 10+ year trend if they want to win here. Regardless of the result here, we think this should be a close one. The average margin in the last two games between these two teams has been just 7.5 points and two of the last three in Sydney have been won by single digits.
Either Team By Under 15.5
$2.30
St Kilda Saints vs Western Bulldogs
Marvel Stadium, 6.05pm (AEST)
The Saints played one fantastic half in Round 1 as they shot out to a six goal lead over the Kangaroos. From there, however, it was all downhill as North Melbourne piled on six goals to one in the second half to win by just two points. There were positive signs from the Saints, particularly the debut of touted youngster Max King, who looked dynamic in the forward line, booting two goals.
The Western Bulldogs were taught a football lesson by the Magpies on the Friday night of Round 1 and they’ll be thankful for the break which has no doubt allowed them to regroup. The Dogs have one of the best looking injury lists in the league, with only Taylor Duryea set to miss from their best 22 this week.
The Saints start as 9.5 point underdogs this weekend and we are going to side with them here. They have a clean bill of health, with everyone available for selection and they love playing at Marvel Stadium where the pace is a bit quicker. They recorded a great win over the Dogs in their last matchup – Round 18 of last season – and have a forward line that could trouble an undersized Dogs defence.
Prop: Membrey 2+ Goals $2.20
