AFL 2018 - Round 2 Preview

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Adelaide vs Richmond

Thursday 29th March
Adelaide Oval

The Grand Final rematch, both sides were good for three quarters last week. Adelaide have dropped off losing a game they should have won and Richmond came back from behind to win. Adelaide also have some injury concerns along with some issues of apparent gaps appearing in their line-up. I still think they’ll get over the line, however.

Adelaide by 27 points.

North Melbourne vs St Kilda

Friday 30th March
Etihad Stadium

Not exactly my idea of an entertaining Good Friday match. North Melbourne will be feeling the effects of playing last week in the worst conditions we’ve seen in recent times. St Kilda would have been the favourite regardless, as it’s hard to see North Melbourne winning many games this year.

St Kilda by 40 points.

Carlton vs Gold Coast

Saturday March 31
Etihad Stadium

Like North Melbourne, Gold Coast will be feeling the effects from playing in those terrible conditions last week. Carlton had a promising start last week but couldn’t hold on, so they’ll fancy themselves to repeat and improve upon last week’s performance.

Carlton by 20 points.

Collingwood vs GWS

Saturday March 31
MCG

I’m not going to butter it over, Collingwood were terrible last week while GWS were brilliant. It’s hard to picture Collingwood matching GWS this week. The only factors that might play to Collingwood’s advantage are the facts that GWS hardly ever goes anywhere near the MCG. It would take a significant improvement from Collingwood for them to have any chance. Interesting to note that out of 12 attempts, GWS have only ever won 1 game on the MCG.
They’ve also only beat Collingwood once, by 3 points the last time they met. Despite that…

GWS by 6 points.

Brisbane vs Melbourne

Saturday March 31
GABBA

Melbourne were very unlucky to not win last week, I actually rate them a bit this season what we saw last week and their natural progression over the past few years. Brisbane pretty much performed to expectation last week – showing glimpses, but not really being enough of a threat to win the game.

Melbourne by 15 points.

Fremantle vs Essendon

Saturday March 31
Optus Stadium

Fremantle’s showing was poor last week and Essendon performed well. The only factor that might make this game a little bit harder to pick is the home-state advantage, but Fremantle have never played at this venue before so Essendon has a unique opportunity of not necessarily having to play against the home-ground advantage.

Essendon by 35.

Western Bulldogs vs West Coast Eagles

Sunday April 1
Etihad Stadium

Western Bulldogs had a terrible game last week, however they did come up against the cream of the crop. West Coast also had quite the capable opposition last week, so both of these sides will be seeing it as a good chance to bounce back.

Western Bulldogs by 15 points.

Sydney vs Port Adelaide

Sunday April 1
Sydney Cricket Ground

Both of these sides had good wins last week, the relative ease in which Sydney brushed aside the Eagles on their home turf makes me think they’ll be a serious contender this season.

Sydney by 20 points.

Geelong vs Hawthorn

Monday April 2
MCG

Geelong had a lucky win last week and Hawthorn won pretty easily in the end against a poor Collingwood side. No question that this will be a good game. However, Geelong have had the better of Hawthorn in recent times and I expect this to continue.

Geelong by 15 points.