2017 AFL Community Series Week 2 Betting Tips

Round 2 of the AFL JTL Community Series kicks off Thursday night with an exciting clash between St Kilda and Port Adelaide. With six games spanning over the weekend, we’ll have a full preview and tips for every game as the teams are announced.

AFL JTL Community Series Week 2 Betting Tips

St Kilda vs Port Adelaide (Thursday, 7.40pm, Etihad Stadium)

The Saints have been busy in the offseason and most if not all of their new recruits will be on display in their first game of the JTL Community Series. Exciting midfielders Koby Stevens and Jack Steele have both been named in the squad while former Bomber Jake Carlisle, who missed the 2016 season through suspension, is expected to play all three of the Saints games. The Saints will almost be at full strength so it should be a decent first up guide to see how they will fair in the early part of 2017. Surprisingly, former skipper Nick Reiwoldt has been named and should relish a fairly responsibility free season under new captain Jarryn Geary.

Port Adelaide will take more of a development approach into the first pre-season game, naming draftees Sam Powell-Pepper, William Drew and Joe Atley while some of the more experienced heads such has Robbie Gray will be allowed to rest. Paddy Ryder will play his first game since serving his one year suspension but Angus Monfries will remained sidelined with injury.

With the Saints going into this game at near full strength, you’d imagine they should get the W over a fairly inexperienced Port Adelaide side here.

TIP: St Kilda by 1-39 – $2 at Sportsbet

Richmond vs Adelaide (Friday, 7.40pm, Etihad Stadium)

One of the more anticipated teams of the 2017 preseason is the Tigers. With some massive offseason moves that saw Dion Prestia and Josh Caddy make their way to Punt Road, Richmond fans are doing what Richmond fans do best, getting their hopes up. Both recruits have been named and are set to play in the Tiges pre-season opener, while regular senior players Alex Rance, and Steven Morris will be rested. Adding Prestia and Caddy to a midfield that already contains live wire Dustin Martin and stalwart Trent Cotchin makes their unit one of the best in the league, however, knowing the Tigers history, I’m extremely reserved about their 2017 fortunes.

The Crows will be without a few of their key midfielders in Brad Crouch, Rory Sloane and Scott Thompson, leaving the door open for draftee Myles Poholke and former Blue Troy Menzel. It’s a faorly second rate midfield lining up for the Crows, but their forward line looks as dangerous as ever with Josh Jenkins, Taylor Walker and Eddie Betts all suiting up.

With no Sloane, Crouch or Thompson the Tigers mids should dominate the clearances and control the game.

TIP: Richmond to win – $1.95 at Sportsbet

Melbourne vs Carlton (Saturday, 2.05pm, Casey Fields)

Carlton will make their JTL Community Series debut as they line up against Melbourne on Saturday. The Blues have named a fairly strong side, with the only real notable player missing being star midfielder Patrick Cripps. Skipper Marc Murphy will make his AFL return after missing the better part of 2016 with injury.

Both teams will be rolling out off-season recruits for the first time, with the Blues giving Billie Smedts and Rhys Palmer an opportunity while ex Bomber Michael Hibberd will make his case after being suspended for all of 2016. Demon Jack Watts remains in the headlines after failing to be selected for the 2nd week running amidst questions over fitness and form. It’s a good sign for the Demons if Jack Watts, who played relatively well last year, is struggling to make selection. With a near full strength team, I think the Dees should be too strong here.

TIP: Melbourne by 1-39 – $2.05 at William Hill

West Coast vs Fremantle (Saturday, 6.40pm, Wonthella Oval)

They’ll be a lot of interesting AFL and team debutants going into this game, as well as one big comeback from injury. Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe will return after injury derailed his 2016 and we’ll get a look at another Brownlow medallist, Sam Mitchell, in his first game in West Coast colours. The Eagles have ramped up their selection this week, going with a near full strength side. Fremantle will give a host off off-season recruits a run with the likes of Bradley Hill, Cam McCarthy and Joel Hamling earning selection, however, they will be missing a few key players in Lachie Neale and Aaron Sandilands.

On paper, Fremantle underperformed heavily last year, and I wouldn’t bet on them having as bad of a 2017, thye just have too many quality players. With the return of Nat Fyfe, they will expect to be top 8, however, West Coast have named an incredibly strong side for this match, including the likes of Matt Priddis, Andrew Gaff and Mitchell who all missed their Round 1 clash against GWS. The Eagles should be too strong for the Dockers here.

TIP: West Coast to win – $1.66 at Sportsbet

North Melbourne vs Hawthorn (Sunday, 2.05pm, North Melbourne Recreation Reserve)

North Melbourne will be buoyed by the return of star ruckman Todd Goldstein, who missed the latter part of 2016 with injury but will be without tall forwards Ben Brown and Jarrad Waite for their clash against Hawthorn on Sunday.

Both teams will get a host of players back who were absentees in Round 1 of the pre-season competition. The Hawks will welcome back Jack Gunston, Luke Hodge and Luke Bruest while star recruit Tom Mitchell will join Jaeger O’Meara in the midfield. Robbie Tarrant and Scott Thompson will return to the North Melbourne side after missing Round 1.

With the cast of premiership players Hawthorn are getting back this week they should be too strong for the Roos here.

TIP: Hawthorn by 1-39 – $2.10 at Sportsbet

Gold Coast vs Essendon (Sunday, 3.40pm, North Melbourne Recreation Reserve)

In the final game of the round, Essendon will travel to Mackay Sunday to take on Gold Coast at Harrap Park. The Bombers will be without a load of first team players in Zach Merrett, David Zaharakis, Dyson Heppel and David Myers. They will, however, welcome forward Joe Daniher back to the side.

Gold Coast are in a similar position, with Gary Ablett, Jarrod Harbrow, Tom Lynch and Aaron Hall all missing the clash. It’s hard to get excited about this Gold Coast squad, especially when Ablett doesn’t take the field. They are a wooden spoon front runner for a reason and although it’s only pre-season I think the Bombers should be too strong here.

TIP: Essendon to win – $2 at Sportsbet

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*** BET ON THE JTL COMMUNITY SERIES ***

TIPS ARE SIMPLY THE AUTHOR’s OPINION. ALWAYS GAMBLE RESPONSIBLY