AFL Round 2 preview, predictions & top betting tips

After an exciting round one of the 2024 AFL Premiership season, we have now had a look at all 18 sides and the changes they made over the off-season. With two sides missing due to a bye, below are our AFL previews for all eight matches of round two.

St Kilda Saints vs Collingwood Magpies

Thursday, March 21 – 7:30pm AEDT – MCG

With a 0-2 record to start the season, the pressure is rising on the defending premiers. Back at the MCG, Collingwood face a Saints outfit that showed plenty of good signs despite going down in Geelong last weekend. St Kilda have won just two of the past 17 matches between these sides, and despite their slow start, the Magpies at the MCG are a tough side to beat.

Adelaide Crows vs Geelong Cats

Friday, March 22 – 7:10pm ACDT – Adelaide Oval

After kicking their season off with an exciting win against the Saints, Geelong will be confident heading on the road to face the Crows on Friday night. It was a disappointing way to kick off the season for Adelaide last weekend, a strong finish to their clash with Gold Coast showed they have the quality to compete at their best. In 2023, the Crows won nine of their 12 matches at Adelaide Oval, suggesting it will be a tough night for the Cats.

North Melbourne Kangaroos vs Fremantle Dockers

Saturday, March 23 – 1:45pm AEDT – Marvel Stadium

Following their excellent performance against the Brisbane Lions in round one, the Dockers are looking for their first 2-0 start to the season since 2015. Now they head across to Melbourne to face the Kangaroos, who started their season with a 39-point loss to the Giants. The Dockers come into this match as favourites with AFL bookmakers but suffered a trio of injuries last weekend, and given their inconsistent form away from Perth, this match should be closer than expected.

Hawthorn Hawks vs Melbourne Demons

Saturday, March 23 – 4:35pm AEDT – MCG

It was an excellent performance by the Demons last weekend as they registered a 45-point victory over the Western Bulldogs. Melbourne enter their clash with the Hawks as heavy favourites with AFL betting sites, after the home side went down to Essendon in the round one. The Demons haven’t lost to Hawthorn in their past eight clashes between the sides, and given the Hawks’ extensive injury list, this match could be very one-sided.

Sydney Swans vs Essendon Bombers

Saturday, March 23 – 7:30pm AEDT – SCG

The Swans are 2-0 after their comprehensive win over Collingwood at the MCG last weekend. They now face the Bombers, who kicked off their season with a win against the Hawks. Although Sydney come in as heavy favourites at home, clashes between these two sides always seem to be close, with seven of their past eight meetings being decided by 10 points or less.

Western Bulldogs vs Gold Coast Suns

Sunday, March 24 – 1pm AEDT – Mars Stadium

Life under Damien Hardwick has got off to a hot start for the Suns, who sit 2-0 through the first two weeks. They now face an interesting away trip to Ballarat to face the Bulldogs, who are under pressure after their 45-point thumping against the Demons last weekend. The Bulldogs should be confident given their strong form at the venue in the past, but after their hot start, are the Suns finally ready for a finals run?

Richmond Tigers vs Port Adelaide Power

Sunday, March 24 – 4pm AEDT – MCG

Two games in, the Tigers are still chasing their first win under new coach Adam Yze. As they welcome the Power this weekend, Richmond come in as underdogs after the visitors’ comfortable 50-point win over the Eagles. For a side with premiership aspirations in 2024, this is a great opportunity for Port Adelaide to put in a dominant performance on the road.

West Coast Eagles vs GWS Giants

Sunday, March 24 – 3:50pm AWST – Optus Stadium

As the early premiership favourites with top AFL bookmakers, the GWS Giants should be full of confidence as they head west to face last season’s wooden spooners. After a 50-point loss last weekend, not much is expected of the Eagles this season as they continue to rebuild. This is a great opportunity for the Giants to boost their percentage, as there should be a clear gap in quality between the sides.

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