AFL Round 2 Bulldogs vs. Swans betting and Franklin goal tips

Friday, March 31, 2017, 7.50pm AEDT, Etihad Stadium, Melbourne, Watch on Fox Footy, Seven Network.

IF Round 1 of the AFL season was one of the best in years, this grand final rematch between last year’s premiers the Western Bulldogs and their defeated nemesis Sydney is next level.

These two teams squared off for premiership glory less than six months ago and this one promises to be one of the most ferocious contests of a season that is less than two weeks old.

The Dogs will be aiming to keep their unbeaten record in 2018 in tact, while the Swans will be hunting retribution.

A shell shocked Sydney will be looking to bounce back after being beaten at its own game by a fired up Port Adelaide side that travelled to the SCG and unleashed the hurt on the Swans.

The Swans had not been beaten by the Power in 11 seasons, but that counted for little as the men from Adelaide left town with a 28 point win, 17.8 (110) to 12.10 (82).

Josh Kennedy picked up where he left off in the grand final with 28 disposals, nine tackles and goals, while Luke Parker and young buck Zak Jones collected 25 each.

but it was Lance Franklin who kept the Swans in the match, ripping down seven marks and booting 4.2 in an ominous performance that began his assault on the Coleman Medal.

Three goals from Sam Reid in his return from injury was also a positive, but the Swans never really looked in it as the Power bashed them from pillar to post.

The Dogs edged out a spirited Collingwood by 14 points, 15.10 (100) to 12.14 (86), in an at times ugly clash where premiership experience just outshone the exuberance of a club with high expectations on the first day of a new season.

Jason Johannisen has been the bane of Sydney’s existence in recent times, winning the Norm Smith Medal in the grand final and booting the match winning goal at the SCG earlier last season. And he kicked off 2017 with another blinder, accumulating 30 possessions, booting two goals and shredding Collingwood with his supreme run and carry.

Lachine Hunter booted three goals and Matty Boyd had 26 touches, but Travis Cloke was the story of the night, the former Magpie booting a long goal in the first quarter, attracting a chorus of boos from the black and white faithful.

The loss of Tom Mitchell to the Hawks in the offseason appeared telling, with the Swans smashed in the contested possession department by a Power group that was quite simply, too hungry.

Will that hunger return for the Swans against the Dogs? We will find out on Friday night.

Lance Franklin predictions

Tip: Lance Franklin to kick the first goal ($7 with Sportsbet.com.au)

We’ll let you in on a little secret. The forgotten man in the Western Bulldogs premiership run Marcus Adams is set to make a return to the Western Bulldogs for the first time since the middle of last season. Adams was among the best on the ground in a practice match for the Doggies VFL affiliate, but looks like he will slot straight back into the side after Morris’s horrible injury. And, despite missing so much time. But he will be having nightmares right now, with big bad Buddy Franklin looming. Lance is in cherry ripe form, coming off a bag of four goals and we’re predicting him to go large again.

Marcus Bontempelli predictions

Tip: To get 25 disposals or more ($1.45 with Sportsbet.com.au)

Predicted to be a serious Brownlow Medal contender in 2017, Marcus Bontempelli kicked off his season as a newly crowned premier with a delightful performance against the Magpies. The numbers might not have been flashy – 22 touches and four tackles topped up with two goals – but his influence was as good as just about anyone not named Scott Pendlebury. He will be a key cog for the Dogs in this one and they will need him to be if they are any chance to win up in Sydney.

Match predictions

Match result: Sydney Swans to win ($2.39 with Sportsbet.com.au)

Line betting tip: Sydney Swans -10.5 ($1.92 with Sportsbet.com.au)

Bonus bet: Sydney Swans to win by 1-39 ($3 with Sportsbet.com.au)

We reckon the Bulldogs would have rathered this one be played on the MCG. While the Swans aren’t quite the team they were last season, it is hard to ignore the history this team has at Etihad Stadium. It has not lost on the ground since 2012, winning each of its past 10 contests – including all three against the Dogs. The Bulldogs have certainly got better with the return of Stewart Crameri and the addition of Travis Cloke, but we still feel like the Swannies have more to play for and the Buddy factor will get them over the line by a couple of goals. The Doggies might have a little premiership hang over – they were pushed hard all night by the Magpies and probably should have lost the game. If they roll out the same way in this match, the Swans will send them straight to hell. We think the Swans will win, but we don’t think it’s going to be a blow out, so the 1-39 at $3 looks a worthy bet.

Odds comparison – Swans v Bulldogs