2017 AFL Community Series Week 3 Betting Tips
The AFL JTL Community Series continues Thursday night as Round 3 gets underway with an Etihad Stadium clash between the Bulldogs and the Lions. Teams will be ramping up their preparation for the beginning of the home and away season which is now just 2 weeks away. We’ll have a full preview and betting tips for all of this weekend’s games as soon as the teams are announced below.
AFL JTL Community Series Week 3 Betting Tips
Western Bulldogs vs Brisbane (Thursday, 7.50pm AEDT)
The return of Marcus Bontempelli along with a host of 2016 Premiership players will lead the conversation in Thursday’s night’s game featuring the Dogs taking on the Lions. Matthew Boyd, Liam Picken and Easton Wood will join Bontempelli for the first time in 2017 after their week two bye. The Bulldogs succumb to a strong Melbourne side in Round 1 of the JTL Series, but should have the wood over Brisbane here, who are favourite to win the wooden spoon this year.
Robert Murphy will get a break after returning from injury in Round 1 while opposing captain, newly appointed Dayne Beams will get his first run of the season in what looks to be an unchanged lineup to the one that lost to Gold Coast in Round 1. At Etihad, where they play so well, the Dogs should come out firing here with the return of some key premiership players and I expect them to win this one.
TIP: Western Bulldogs by 1-39 – $2.33 at Unibet
GWS vs Sydney (Friday, 7.40pm AEDT)
It’s the battle for the bridge Friday night as the Giants play the Swans at Blacktown International Sports Park. The Giants will welcome back a plethora of stars for their first match of the season including Phil Davis, Callan Ward, Heath Shaw and Shane Mumford. The 2017 Premiership favourites will be looking to go 2-0 in the JTL Series after a dominant win over West Coast in Round 1.
Lance Franklin will play his first pre-season game for the Swans and will be joined by defenders Dean Rampe and Heath Grundy. Both of these teams are set to be major players in 2017 and while this game won’t really give any indication of their prospects going forward, neither team will want to give their opposition any information. I expect it to be a relatively low scoring, close match.
TIP: Either team by under 15.5 points – $2.70 at Sportsbet
Carlton vs St. Kilda (Saturday, 2.05pm AEDT)
New and former skippers, Jarryn Geary and Nick Reiwoldt, will both miss the Saturday clash against the Blues as the Saints try to make it 2-0 in the JTL Series. A one point win over Port Adelaide last week gave Alan Richardson enough confidence to go with a relatively young squad for the game including Blake Acres and forward prospect Josh Battle.
Carlton will also be without it’s Captain for the clash, with Marc Murphy joining veterans Bryce Gibbs and Kade Simpson on the inactive list. The major focus of the night for Blues fans will be the return of star midfielder Patrick Cripps, who has been dealing with injuries this pre-season. Both teams clubs are entering with young and inexperienced sides so it’s a tough one to pick, best to go with value here.
TIP: Carlton to win – $3.25 at Sportsbet
Fremantle vs Collingwood (Saturday 4.40pm AEDT)
Star midfield-ruck combo Lachie Neale and Aaron Sandilands will both play for the Dockers after missing their Round 2 clash against West Coast, however, they will be without new recruit Harley Bennell. Apart from that is looks to be a relatively full strength squad for the Dockers, so you have to like their chances here.
Collingwood will also welcome back a group of players who missed their Round 1 clash against the Bombers. Captain Scott Pendlebury leads the returnees along with Adam Treloar and Taylor Adams but they will be without a few regular senior players in Jamie Elliot, Ben Reid and new recruit Daniel Wells. Fremantle look the goods here with a strong side out West.
TIP: Fremantle by 1-39 – $2.25 at Sportsbet
Adelaide vs Geelong (Sunday, 2.05pm AEDT)
Adelaide and Geelong will square off at Richmond Oval in South Australia on Sunday. Both teams are 0-1 coming into the match, with Geelong losing in Round 1 to the Hawks and Adelaide suffering a 19 point loss to the Tigers last week.
Geelong skipper Joel Selwood will get his first run of the season. Geelong fans hoped that brother Scott would join him, however, he has yet to recover from a toe injury. For the Crows, it’ll be another young and inexperienced side with Rory Sloane, Scott Thompson, Eddie Betts and Josh Jenkins all missing the clash. Can’t find a way to back Adelaide with a relative reserves side in.
TIP: Geelong to win – $1.80 at Sportsbet
Port Adelaide vs Richmond (Sunday 4.40pm AEDT)
Port Adelaide and Richmond will close proceedings in Round 3 of the JTL Series when they square off at Malseed Park on Sunday. The highlight for Port fans will be the 2017 debut of star Robbie Gray, however, prospective 1st teamers Matthew Broadbent, Angus Monfires and Brad Ebert will miss the clash.
Dion Prestia will get a rest after a decent outing against the Crows last week, he’ll be joined on the sidelines by Bachar Houli, Shaun Hampson and Kane Lambert. Alex Rance will play his first game of the year which should excite Tigers fans. This one could go either way, I’m tipping it to be a close game.
TIP: Either team by under 15.5 points – $2.63 at Sportsbet
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*** BET ON THE JTL COMMUNITY SERIES ***
TIPS ARE SIMPLY THE AUTHOR’s OPINION. ALWAYS GAMBLE RESPONSIBLY
