2018 AFL Round 2 Betting Tips
SmitsTips started off the 2018 AFL season in superb fashion, going 4-0 in our Round 1 tips (minimum odds $1.90). We’re confident we can carry our form into the second week of games, so take a look below at the Round 2 edition of our 2018 AFL betting tips.
Adelaide Crows VS Richmond Tigers (Thursday, 7:50PM AEDT)
The Crows had a less than ideal start to their 2018 campaign, capitulating in the fourth quarter to blow a 20-point against the Bombers in the season opener. They will face another big test on Thursday Night, when they take on the Tigers in the Grand Final rematch. The Crows will most likely welcome back Tex Walker to the team, who was sorely missed as a link up player in their Round 1 defeat.
It took a while for the Tigers to get going in their season-opener on Thursday Night. They gave up 5 quick goals to the Blues, before wrestling back the game to clinch a 26-point victory. The Tigers brought the same intensity and forward pressure that brought them success in 2017 and it’ll be interesting to see how the Crows try to counter them in the replay on Thursday Night.
The Crows were the most dominant side at home last year and we think that may just be the case again in 2018. With Tex back in the side and the fire in the belly from last year’s Grand Final loss, we think they will get the job done and cover the small line.
TIP: Adelaide Crows at the line (-7.5) – $1.92 at Ladbrokes
Carlton Blues VS Gold Coast Suns (Saturday, 1:45PM AEDT)
Although they eventually fell to the reigning premiers, Carlton showed enough in their Round 1 match to excite their die-hard fans. Their young stars kept the Blues in the lead for the majority of the game, but unfortunately ran out of legs against the seasoned Tigers in the fourth quarter. They will have a chance to grab a win against the far less experienced Gold Coast Suns in their Round 2 match.
The Suns managed to edge out the Kangaroos in terrible conditions at Metricon Stadium in Round 1. It was a match between two teams who we feel will be at the tail end of the ladder in 2018, and the quality of the game only gave us more confidence in our prediction. It’ll be interesting to see how well their young bodies travel after such a gruelling match to start off their season.
We are confident in selecting the Blues in this Round 2 matchup. In good conditions they should cover the line with ease.
TIP: Carlton Blues at the line (-13.5) – $1.92 at Sportsbet
Sydney Swans VS Port Adelaide Power (Sunday, 4:40PM AEDT)
Highlighting an exciting doubler-header on Sunday is the matchup between two potential Premiership contenders in the Sydney Swans and the Port Adelaide Power. Buddy Franklin (8 goals) and the Swans were impressive in their travels to the West in Round 1, taking care of the Eagles by a comfortable margin. Their fans would be at ease after claiming their first victory of 2018 in Round 1, compared to Round 7 in 2017. However, they’ll face a difficult task when trying to make it back-to-back wins to start the season when they host the Power on Sunday Afternoon.
The Power were also impressive in Round 1, defeating the Dockers in a 50-point howling. It was an impressive club debut for high-profile signings Steven Motlop (19 disposals, 2 goals) and Jack Watts (20 disposals, 3 goals) who got the Power off to a flying start with the first 2 goals of the game. There were also bright spots down back, with Riley Bonner (31 disposals) being named the AFL Rising Star for Round 1.
We are expecting this game to be a tight tussle between two of the higher fancied teams in the league for 2018. We are taking Port Adelaide to cover a generous line in this one.
TIP: Port Adelaide Power at the line (+16.5) – $1.92 at CrownBet
Geelong Cats VS Hawthorn Hawks (Monday, 3:20PM AEDT)
Round out our Round 2 tips is the huge Easter Monday match between the Cats and the Hawks. The cats can count themselves lucky to have 4 points next to their name on the ladder, after a Max Gawn miss in the dying seconds saved them from defeat. They were good signs from superstar Gary Ablett in his return to the Cats, tallying an equal game high 39 disposals to go along with a goal.
The Hawks were too good for the Pies in their Round 1 duel, coming out on top by a comfortable margin. Tom Mitchell was otherworldly in his first game of the season, tallying an AFL record for most disposals in a single game (54). However, he and the other Hawk midfielders will have their hands full on Monday, when they come up against the superstar trio of Ablett, Selwood, and Dangerfield.
We feel the Cats will be too good for the Hawks on Easter Monday. The Cats midfield bats extremely deep now and we think they will run havoc in this blockbuster duel.
