The grand final re-match is here, and we couldn’t be more excited as both Brisbane and Collingwood attempt to win their first game of the season.
BetDeluxe takes a look at that blockbuster game and three others with a bevy of best bets.
Lions vs. Magpies
28th March 7:30PM
While the grand final re-match is often one of the biggest drawcards on the fixture, this year’s goes to another level as both Brisbane and Collingwood search for their first win of the season.
The Lions, who enter the game as $1.35 favourites, have had two weeks to mull over their losses to Carlton (1) and Fremantle (23) after sitting out with the bye. Most disappointing for Chris Fagan’s squad is that they’ve led both games and allowed the Blues and Dockers to run over the top of them.
Two-time Brownlow Medallist Lachie Neale (hamstring) will return to the midfield, while their injury crisis across half-back – Keidean Coleman, Conor McKenna and Tom Doedee – means Dayne Zorko could be required to fill the void this week.
As for the premiers, their season has gone from bad to worse with losses to GWS (32), Sydney (33) and St Kilda (15). The Magpies’ big guns failed to fire against the Saints, with Nick Daicos, Scott Pendlebury, Steele Sidebottom, Tom Mitchell and Jordon De Goey recording 22 touches or fewer.
Never has there been more pressure on the reigning premiers to perform, but we can’t expect the Lions to give up their first two home games.
TIP: Same Game Multi
- Leg 1: Brisbane 1-39
- Leg 2: Over 164.5 total points
- Leg 3: N. Daicos 25+ disposals
- Leg 4: E. Hipwood 2+ goals
- Total: $8.00
Dockers vs. Crows
29th March 7:30pm
There was a finals-like feeling about the Crows entering the 2024 season, but that could be all but over if they fail to register the four points against Fremantle on Friday night.
Having failed to fire against both Gold Coast and Geelong in their opening two games, the Crows will need to overcome underdog status ($2.52) and a currently undefeated Fremantle team.
The likes of Jordan Dawson, Rory Laird and Matt Crouch are finding plenty of the ball, but their impact needs to be much greater in the forward half for a team that’s kicked just 19 goals in two games.
Fremantle will enter Optus Stadium with their shoulders back and chests out after moving to fifth on the ladder following their comeback win against the Roos. The only concern for the Dockers is the availability of Nat Fyfe after he was subbed out with potential back soreness.
It’s only Round 3, and we’re declaring the game a must-win for the Crows, but we’re happy to take $2.52 to find out whether they want to play finals.
TIP: Adelaide to win @ $2.52
Bombers vs. Saints
30th March 4:20pm
The Bombers have been the talk of the AFL world this week after publicly declaring themselves a team that wants to play with an edge and subsequently doing so in their fiery loss to the Swans.
Unfortunately for Bombers supporters, this ‘edge’ resulted in a four-match ban for gun forward Peter Wright after his contact with Sydney’s Harry Cunningham left him unconscious.
While they will need to find a replacement for Wright, the Bombers will welcome back Mason Redman and possibly Darcy Parish and Jake Kelly. Andrew McGrath (ankle) and Will Setterfield (knee) are expected to play despite their fresh injury concerns.
The Saints have the support of the market heading into this one after they dispatched the reigning premiers by 15 points on Thursday night. It wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows in the wash-up; however, Liam Henry (hamstring), Mason Wood (collarbone), and star forward Max King (suspension) all needed to be replaced.
This has the makings of the match of the round, and it wouldn’t surprise to see the Bombers take it up to a King-less Saints.
TIP: Essendon (+8.5) @ $1.90
Hawks vs. cats
1st March 3:20pm
The two great rivals will lock horns again on Easter Monday, with the Cats looking to make it two in a row against the Hawks following their 82-point victory on the same date last year.
Form certainly suggests that Chris Scott’s men will be hard to beat after they backed up a Round 1 win against the Saints with a triumphant away trip to Adelaide. If their strong form wasn’t enough to support their $1.36 quote, champion goal kicker Tom Hawkins will also celebrate his 350th game for the club on Monday.
Patrick Dangerfield (hamstring) will miss the next two weeks, but they will welcome back Mitch Duncan, Tom Atkins and potentially Tanner Bruhn.
The Hawks, who are currently 17th on the ladder, need to bounce back from their 55-point loss to the Dees and the fact they kicked just five goals for the game. It was one of the poorest performances we’ve seen from Hawthorn for some time, and it wouldn’t surprise to see Sam Mitchell swing the axe at the selection table.
TIP: Geelong to win @ $1.36
