The game of the round to commence the AFL Premiership season is in, now it’s time for the best of the rest this weekend!
It all starts on Thursday night with the season opener between traditional rivals Richmond and Carlton, followed by a Friday night classic between Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs.
Time to put those best bets through the big sticks and make it a winning start to 2021.
richmond vs. carlton
march 18th 7:25pm
The 2020 premiers Richmond come face to face with their traditional round one rivals Carlton for the 2021 AFL Premiership season opener at the MCG on Thursday.
In this Round 1 fixture of 2020, the Tigers got off to a fast start kicking the first five goals of the game and would get out to a game high 51-point lead in the third quarter.
The Blues fought valiantly to get the margin back to within three goals, but it was the premiership winning class that proved too good in the end as Richmond held on to skip away with a 16.9.105 to 12.9.81 win.
Dion Prestia (25 disposals and a goal) and Dustin Martin (24 disposals and a goal) were more tradesman-like than their usual star-like performances, while Shai Bolton, Jason Casatagna, Daniel Rioli and Jack Riewoldt all kicked three goals each.
The addition of Saad into this Carlton squad as well as the improvement of Harry McKay may be able to bridge that 24-point margin back, but it’s almost impossible to tip against Richmond.
Prediction: Richmond by 16 points
Suggested Bets:
Carlton to cover the +20.5 line at $1.93
Suggested Same Game Multi:
Leg 1: Carlton to cover the +20.5 line
Leg 2: Marc Murphy anytime goal scorer
Leg 3: Patrick Cripps 25+ disposals
Leg 4: Dion Prestia 20+ disposals
Combined odds = $5.50
collingwood vs. western bulldogs
march 19th 7:50pm
We may bare witness to the AFL’s newest found rivalry when Collingwood take on the Western Bulldogs under the Friday night lights of the MCG.
The pre-season boded well for the Bulldogs with a big 39-point win over Melbourne being led by premiership champion Marcus Bontempelli (32 disposals, 3 goals and 4 tackles).
Collingwood, too, impressed pundits. Jordan DeGoey showed a bit in his time through the midfield with 27 disposals in the 11.8.74 to 11.14.80 loss
The Magpies walloped the Bulldogs in Round 1 last year with a comprehensive 52-point win.
The Bulldogs started slight favourites in that game, and do so here with the addition of Treloar, but the market seems to have overplayed his inclusion.
Prediction: Collingwood by 14
Suggested Bets:
Collingwood head to head at $2.03
Suggested Same Game Multi:
Leg 1: Collingwood head to head
Leg 2: Jordan De Goey 25+ disposals
Combined odds = $10
melbourne vs. fremantle
march 20th 1:45pm
Both Melbourne and Fremantle face off at the MCG on Saturday afternoon in a bid to improve on their 2020 seasons which saw them both miss the finals.
Fremantle managed seven wins under new coach Justin Longmuir last season and look poised to improve that record this year.
However, a spate of pre-season injuries has cast doubt of its credentials early in the year.
Michael Walters and Rory Lobb are certain to miss this game.
For the Demons, it will also be without key players as tall forwards Ben Brown and Sam Weideman recover from injury.
Have to side with Melbourne here given the home ground advantage.
Prediction: Melbourne by 21 points
Suggested Bets:
Melbourne to cover the -13.5 line at $1.91
Suggested Same Game Multi:
Leg 1: Melbourne 1-39
Leg 2: Total points scored under 163.5
Leg 3: Luke Jackson anytime goal scorer
Combined odds = $5.00
adelaide vs. geelong
march 20th 4:35pm
Geelong travel across the border to South Australia when it opens its season Adelaide on Saturday afternoon at Adelaide Oval.
It will be a year of different expectations for Adelaide and Geelong with the home team attempting to give away the dreaded the wooden spoon, while Geelong will look to go one better after it’s heartbreaking grand final loss.
Geelong seemed to only get stronger in the pre-season with the signing of Jeremy Cameron set to bolster the Cats forward line.
Would arguably be one of the upsets of the year if Adelaide can pinch this one especially without its key pillars defence made up of Daniel Talia and Tom Doedee.
A comfortable victory to Geelong should be the result in this one.
Prediction: Geelong by 30
Suggested Bets: Geelong to cover the -26.5 line at $1.91.
Suggested Same Game Multi:
Leg 1: Geelong to cover the -26.5 line
Leg 2: Jeremy Cameron to kick 2+ goals
Leg 3: Tom Hawkins to kick 2+ goals
Leg 4: Shaun Higgins to have 20+ disposals
Combined odds = $3.25
brisbane vs. sydney
march 20th 7:45pm
Brisbane will unveil Joe Daniher when it welcomes Sydney to the Gabba on Saturday night.
After a preliminary final loss to Geelong, the Lions went about signing the crafty tall forward in attempt to bolster its forward stocks alongside Eric Hipwood.
The Swans, who missed out on finals last season, are set to debut another host of youngsters, while they are still some time away from the return of Lance Franklin with the champion forward nurses a calf complaint.
The Swans showed plenty of grit and determination last year which will take them a long way in 2021, but it won’t be enough to defeat a classy Brisbane team.
Even without Cam Rayner, who tore his ACL in the pre-season, coach Chris Fagan will have his troops up and about in front of the home fans.
Prediction: Brisbane by 31
Suggested Bets: Brisbane Lions to cover the -24.5 line at $1.89
Suggested Same Game Multi:
Leg 1: Brisbane to cover the -24.5 line
Leg 2: Jarryd Lyons 20+ disposals
Leg 3: Joe Daniher 2+ goals
Leg 4: Tom Papley 2+ goals
Combined odds = $5.75
north melbourne vs. port adelaide
march 21st 1:10pm
A new year and a new coach will be the catalyst for North Melbourne when it hosts 2020 premlinary finalists Port Adelaide at Marvel Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
It was a 2020 to forget for the Kangaroos with Rhyce Shaw stepping down as head coach as the boys from Arden Street struggle to get out of the doldrums of the AFL ladder.
Port Adelaide, however, are hoping to reach a grand final after letting slip a three-quarter-time lead against Richmond in its preliminary final at Adelaide Oval last year.
The Power will be smelling blood in this one, especially given how poor North Melbourne looked in its pre-season loss to Hawthorn.
Should be a procession for the Power here.
Prediction: Port Adelaide by 45 points
Suggested Bets: Port Adelaide to cover the -31.5 line at $1.89
Suggested Same Game Multi:
Leg 1: Port Adelaide 40+
Leg 2: Orazio Fantasia 2+ goals
Leg 3: Tom Rockliff 25+ disposals
Combined odds = $6
gws vs. st kilda
march 21st 3:20
After a disappointing 2020 which saw captain Stephen Coniglio dropped for a game, the GWS Giants will attempt to storm back inside the top eight and it all starts against St Kilda on Sunday afternoon.
St Kilda are set for a big 2021 after signing Brad Crouch in the pre-season to strengthen its midfield stocks but he will be unavailable until round three after a club imposed suspension.
The Saints will also be without a host of key players including Max King, Dan Hannebery, Paddy Ryder, Jarry Geary and Rowan Marshall.
However, the news was better for the Saints dashing flanker Zak Jones who will take his place in the side after passing a fitness test.
The Giants, will have a burning desire in their camp their camp this year with the AFL fraternity heaping the pressure on them.
Even with the loss of Jeremy Cameron, the Giants possess enough firepower to get the four points.
Expecting them to start off with a win in 2021.
Prediction: GWS Giants by 17 points
Suggested Bets: GWS head to head at $1.62
Suggested Same Game Multi:
Leg 1: GWS head to head
Leg 2: Stephen Coniglio 25+ disposals
Leg 3: Stephen Coniglio anytime goal scorer
Combined odds = $5.75
west coast vs. gold coast
march 21st 6:10pm
The West Coast Eagles play host to the Gold Coast Suns at Optus Stadium on Sunday evening for their season opener.
Stuart Dew’s men will travel to Perth with a sense of optimism given omission of Eagles captain Luke Shuey and his midfield partner Elliot Yeo.
The Suns welcome their star youngster Matt Rowell back from a shoulder injury that ended a 2020 debut season that looked set to have him in contention for a series of Brownlow medal votes.
While the Suns might be building towards a top eight finish, a game in Perth against West Coast is always a daunting task.
Tim Kelly and Josh Kennedy have been declared fit by Eagles medicos and provide headaches for the opposition.
Great way to end Round 1 in what should be a close game.
Eagles have the experience and the roar of Eagles fans that will flock into Optus Stadium to help them over the line.
Prediction: West Coast Eagles by 11 points
Suggested Bets: Gold Coast to cover the +28.5 line at $1.89
Suggested Same Game Multi:
Leg 1: West Coast 1-39
Leg 2: Matt Rowell 20+ disposals
Leg 3: Matt Rowell anytime goal scorer
Leg 4: Tim Kelly 25+ disposals
Combined odds = $7
