Western Bulldogs v Carlton Blues
Thursday 24th March at Marvel Stadium, 7:20pm
Carlton will be looking to capitalize on their upset win over Richmond and build some moment into their 2022 season campaign. The Bulldogs will be looking to make a statement after being outclassed by Melbourne again last round. They have the wood on Carlton, winning eight of the last 10 encounters. Carlton still have much to prove, and the Bulldogs will be out to prove a point.
Bulldogs by 20
Sydney Swans v Geelong Cats
Friday 25th March at SCG, 7:50pm
All eyes will again be on “Buddy” Franklin as he continues to edge close to the elusive career 1000 goal mark. The Swans cruised home in the last quarter against the Giants last round and will be looking to build on that important win. Geelong opened their season with a comprehensive win against Essendon and look to be a serious contender for the flag once again. There are question marks on Geelong’s defence and the Swans forwards will pose a tough challenge.
Cats by 12
Collingwood Magpies v Adelaide Crows
Saturday 26th March at MCG, 1:45pm
Collingwood kicked off their new era under Craig McRae with a solid win over St Kilda while the Crows lost a heartbreaker to Fremantle by a point. Both sides look relatively even on paper and while both sides are desperate to challenge for a finals spot this season, Collingwood looks the more likely to show improvement.
Magpies by 20
Essendon Bombers v Brisbane Lions
Saturday March 26th at Marvel Stadium, 4:35pm
Essendon were arguably the most disappointing team in round one in their loss to Geelong while Brisbane powered home against the Power in a fourth quarter onslaught. If Essendon want to improve on their eighth place finish last season, they need to show up to Marvel Stadium with a much better attitude. Brisbane will be looking to continue getting their season off to a fast start with a more clinical performance against the Bombers.
Lions by 24
Port Adelaide Power v Hawthorn Hawks
Saturday 26th March at Adelaide Oval, 7:40pm
Port will be looking to make up for their fourth quarter capitulation against the Lions while Hawthorn will be looking to build on their 20-point win over the Kangaroos. Hawthorn still have enough experience in their lineup to challenge an injury-hit Power and this may be the game that will deliver the most likely upset win of the round.
Hawks by 8
Gold Coast Suns v Melbourne Demons
Saturday 26th March at Metricon Stadium, 8pm
The Suns kicked off their season with a shock upset win against West Coast while Melbourne put on a clinical performance against the Bulldogs. The challenge for the Suns is staying in the contest and not let the premiers get off to a fast start. If the do, Melbourne will likely win, and win big.
Demons by 36
North Melbourne Kangaroos v West Coast Eagles
Sunday 27th March at Marvel Stadium, 1:10pm
Both sides started their seasons with defeats but while North Melbourne showed some positive signs, West Coast is still undermanned with a long injury list despite the returns of a few key players this round. This is a very winnable game for North, and if they are to lift themselves off the bottom of the ladder this season, they need to deliver in these fixtures.
Kangaroos by 6
Richmond Tigers v Greater Western Sydney Giants
Sunday 27th March at MCG, 3:20pm
Another game where both sides suffered defeats due to fourth-quarter fadeouts last round. Richmond lose star forward Jack Riewoldt which will give GWS’s backline a confidence boost. This game may come down to which side can keep up the intensity for all four quarters, but the big match experience of Richmond should be enough to see them over the line as they look for redemption after their shock loss to Carlton.
Tigers by 14
Fremantle Dockers v St Kilda Saints
Sunday 27th March at Optus Stadium, 6:20pm
The Dockers escaped with a 1-point win over the Crows last round and will be motivated by the return of skipper Nat Fyfe. St Kilda were disappointing in their round one loss to Collingwood and there is not much to make their fans feeling confident they can bounce back this week. The home ground advantage should be enough for Fremantle to secure the win.
Dockers by 22