Brisbane v Melbourne AFL Rd 2 best bets & multi tips – 24/3/2023

The bright lights of the Gabba will turn on for the first time in 2023 as the Brisbane Lions take on the Melbourne Demons this Friday night in Round 2. The Lions enter this match licking their wounds after a damaging first-round loss to Port Adelaide, while the Demons were ‘Dee-structive’ with a comprehensive victory over the Western Bulldogs.

The pressure will be on Brisbane to bounce back this week, after much has been made of their preseason. They spent much of the off-season bolstering their list with acquisitions such as Josh Dunkley, Jack Gunston, Conor McKenna, and the highly touted Will Ashcroft. They even defeated last year’s grand finalists in Geelong and Sydney in their preseason matches.

However, the Lions were quickly brought back to Earth in Round 1 with what was described by coach Chris Fagan as an ‘uncharacteristic’ performance against Port Adelaide. Their midfield was completely outplayed in every facet of the game after half-time.

But the Lions will be back in their sanctuary at the Gabba this week, which netted them a record of 10-2 in the 2022 season. Expect Brisbane to respond this week in front of their fans, and play a significantly better brand of football. Unfortunately, it won’t be enough to get the job done on their opponent this time, as Melbourne’s all-round team structure should give them the win at $1.85 with BetOnline.

The Demons started the 2023 season with a commanding 50-point win over the Dogs on Saturday, sending a strong message to the competition that they are looking to reclaim their seat at the top of footy’s food chain. The new ruck combination of Brodie Grundy and Max Gawn consistently gave their elite midfield first use out of the square all game. Expect this ruck lineup to be far too much for Brisbane’s Oscar McInerney to handle, and for Clayton Oliver to get at least 30 or more disposals as a beneficiary of Melbourne’s superior tapwork ($1.64).

The Demons will have to play without forward Kysaiah Pickett, who will be rubbed out for two matches due to an illegal bump on the Dogs’ Bailey Smith. However, they have many stars waiting in the wings to return from injury, one of which is star forward Bayley Fritsch. If Fritsch is named for Friday night, expect him to light up with plenty of action inside forward 50 and kick a couple of goals ($1.77).

Key matchup: Christian Petracca v Lachie Neale

Two of the biggest superstars in the AFL should go head-to-head in the middle this Friday night.

When these teams met in last year’s semi finals, Lachie Neale proved to be the difference maker in sending the Lions through. He finished that night with 27 disposals and 10 clearances, and if the Lions are any chance to topple the Dees, he will have to repeat the same level of heroics.

However, a major roadblock will be standing in Neale’s way, and that is Demons gun Christian Petracca. Arguably Melbourne’s most damaging player, Petracca comes into this game off a 30-disposal effort against an elite Western Bulldogs midfield. The Demons will look to gain revenge for the semi-final loss, and it will be Petracca who looks to lead the way.

Brisbane v Melbourne AFL Rd 2 match prediction

Brisbane v Melbourne AFL Rd 2 same game multi

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