Western Bulldogs v Sydney Swans
Thursday 31st March at Marvel Stadium, 7:20pm
Last years Grand Finalists the Bulldogs are 0-2 to start the season while the red hot Swans are 2-0. ‘Buddy’ Franklin kicking his 1000th goal overshadowed the fact they dominated Geelong. While Sydney will be confident, you could argue the Bulldogs are shellshocked with their performances, leaking goals at an alarming rate. Sydney’s pressure might be too much for an out of form Bulldogs.
Swans by 14
Melbourne Demons v Essendon Bombers
Friday 1st April at MCG, 7:20pm
Essendon are 0-2 to start their season and it does not get any easier as they take on the reigning premiers who are coming off back-to-back wins. In a massive blow to the Bombers, they lose key midfielder Zach Merrett to a syndesmosis injury. Melbourne should have too much class and win comfortably.
Demons by 36
Adelaide Crows v Port Adelaide Power
Friday 1st April at Adelaide Oval, 8:20pm
There is a lot riding on the Adelaide local derby, which will see one of these clubs register their first win of the season, while the other languishes at the bottom of the ladder with an 0-3 start. Injuries have plagued both clubs but Port Adelaide have more quality depth on their list. The Crows have lost their past four against Port and it is hard to see that losing streak end this weekend.
Power by 25
Greater Western Sydney Giants v Gold Coast Suns
Saturday 2nd April at Giants Stadium, 4:35pm
The Suns have been impressive to start their season and were surprisingly competitive against the Dees. GWS will be desperate get get their first win on the board after a tough start to the season. If the Suns can maintain their energy and enthusiasm for the full four quarters, they have shown enough to suggest they can cause another upset away from home.
Suns by 8
Collingwood Magpies v Geelong Cats
Saturday 2nd April at MCG, 7:25pm
Collingwood have got off to the dream 2-0 start under their new coach Craig McRae while Geelong will be looking to bounce back from their shock 30-point defeat to the Swans. This is a big opportunity for Collingwood to capitalize on an aging Cats side, but Geelong still have more than enough class and will be motivated to bounce back after a loss.
Cats by 18
Brisbane Lions v North Melbourne Kangaroos
Saturday 2nd April at The Gabba, 8pm
The Lions have been scrappy in their opening two wins of the season but showed plenty of resilience when the pressure was on them. North Melbourne have shown improvement in their start to the season and will be looking to build on their win against West Coast last round, but a trip to the Gabba to get a win over premiership contenders Brisbane, might be a mountain too high to climb.
Lions by 40
Carlton Blues v Hawthorn Hawks
Sunday 3rd April at MCG, 1:10pm
One of these sides will suffer their first loss of the season while the other will celebrate a dream 3-0 start. It would be fair to say Carlton has been the more impressive with upset wins over Richmond and the Bulldogs while the Hawks beat wooden spoon favourites the Kangaroos and an injury ravaged Port Adelaide. Expect Carlton to continue improving under new coach Michael Voss with another win on Sunday.
Blues by 16
St Kilda Saints v Richmond Tigers
Sunday 3rd April at Marvel Stadium, 3:20pm
Both sides are coming off a win last round, but both sides will be looking to improve on a rather uninspiring start to the season. The Tigers however, were without star players Dustin Martin and Jack Riewoldt last week and if one or both return this round, it will be advantage Richmond. Either way they should have enough class to edge out St Kilda.
Tigers by 12
West Coast Eagles v Fremantle Dockers
Sunday 3rd April at Optus Stadium, 6:20pm
The battle of the west sees both sides desperate to build some momentum into their seasons. Fremantle look to have more improvement in them while West Coast continue to struggle with their list of injuries although we may see a few returns this weekend. This will be an entertaining game but Fremantle’s backline have shown good form and should repel the Eagles’ attack.
Dockers by 6