2021 AFL Finals Week 2 preview, match odds & betting news

There are no more second chances in the 2021 AFL Finals Series, with only six teams remaining in the hunt for this year’s premiership cup.

The Port Adelaide Power and Melbourne Demons will enjoy a break this weekend after winning their qualifying finals to advance directly to the prelims.

Only four teams will take to the field in the second week of the post-season: the two losers from the qualifying finals and the two winners from the elimination finals.

This was the second consecutive season the Power beat the Cats in a qualifying final, but Geelong was still good enough last season to make the AFL Grand Final despite the loss.

The Brisbane Lions will be disappointed they could not beat the Demons last week, but they still remain alive thanks to their top-four finish.

After eliminating the Swans and Bombers respectively last weekend, the GWS Giants and Western Bulldogs keep their premiership hopes alive for another week.

Geelong Cats vs GWS Giants

Friday, September 3 @ 5:50pm AWST – Optus Stadium

Geelong will host GWS in Perth this Friday night after another qualifying final loss to Port Adelaide. Leon Cameron’s Giants are $2.90 underdogs at Sportsbet after a heroic one-point victory over their crosstown rivals in Launceston last week. Despite last week’s 43-point loss, the Cats are paying $1.42 to bounce back and eliminate the Giants. Toby Greene was outstanding against Sydney, but his availability is uncertain after he made avoidable contact with an umpire.

Brisbane Lions vs Western Bulldogs

Date and time TBC – The Gabba

The Lions ($1.66) are favourites to eliminate the Western Bulldogs ($2.23) this weekend at the Gabba, most likely on Saturday night. The Dogs were excellent in last weekend’s victory over Essendon, but it is never easy facing the Lions on their home deck. Daniel McStay was concussed very early in Brisbane’s loss to the Demons, ruling out the key forward for this clash. The winner of this semi-final will take on the Power next week in a preliminary final.

2021 AFL Premiership odds – Finals Week 2

The Demons ($2.60) and Power ($3.60) take a strong lead in the 2021 AFL Premiership betting market after advancing directly to the preliminary finals. Chris Scott’s Cats ($7) are a solid option considering they made the 2020 Grand Final from a very similar position. Injuries to key players have hindered the Lions ($9) and Bulldogs ($10) late in the year, while the Giants ($15) could be an excellent smokey if Toby Greene avoids suspension this week. The odds will only drop from here, so now is the last chance to get some real value if you fancy one of the outsiders to win it all.

See more AFL futures odds at Sportsbet