Round 2 of the 2020 AFL Season Continues this Saturday with four games to generate some more interest in the game of Australian Rules Football.
It all starts in Brisbane at the Gabba where the Brisbane Lions take on the Fremantle Dockers. Carlton then hosts Melbourne at Marvel Stadium, and there are two night encounters which include the Showdown between the two Adelaide sides and the West Coast Eagles take on the Suns over in the Gold Coast.
Be sure to check back for more Free AFL Footy Tips, AFL Tips and AFL Predictions for each round of the 2020 AFL Season.
Brisbane vs Fremantle
Last Meeting
Fremantle 10.13 73 – Brisbane 10.12 72
Last 5 Meetings
Brisbane – 2 Wins
Fremantle – 3 Wins
Key Injury Concerns
Brisbane – Marcus Adams
Fremantle – Joel Hamling, Alex Pearce
Current Head to Head Odds
Brisbane – $1.36
Fremantle – $3.25
The Brisbane Lions were disappointing in their first match against the Hawks and lost by 28 points at the MCG.
Fremantle got off to a horrible start against Essendon in their Round 1 encounter, but managed to make a comeback and only lose the match by 1 Goal.
The last time these two sides met, it was Michael Walters that kicked the winning point after the siren to hand the Dockers a 1 point win against an ever-improving Brisbane side.
The question for this one is how well the WA teams adapt to being away from home and in a Player Hub for an extended period. Fremantle has a new game plan under new coach Longmuir and will the players have remembered the key aspects and be able to implement it after three months off?
Brisbane will be out to avenge their poor Round 1 Performance and prove to critics they can match it with the best. They will be out to prove that last seasons success wasn’t based on the friendlier draw they were given.
Former Docker Lachie Neale will get a lot of the football for the Lions and watching him, and Brownlow Medalist Nat Fyfe go at it in the middle will be a treat for fans.
Prediction
Brisbane should win this game comfortably, and if the Dockers don’t put some points on the board in the early stages, it could be a blowout.
Carlton vs Melbourne
Last Meeting
Carlton 15.10 100 – Melbourne 15.15 105
Last 5 Meetings
Carlton – 1 Win
Melbourne – 4 Wins
Key Injury Concerns
Carlton – Charlie Curnow, Matthew Kruezer
Melbourne – Marty Hore, Harry Petty
Current Head to Head Odds
Carlton – $2.40
Melbourne – 1.60
Both these sides lost their round one matches with the Blues looking ok against the Flag Favourites Tigers, and the Demons couldn’t handle the talented West Coast Eagles outfit out West.
Melbourne won a close contest last time these two sides played and managed to get the win by 5 points. Tom McDonald booted 6 Goals for the Demons and proved a handful for the Carlton Defenders.
For Carlton to be a chance in this one, they will need their best player Patrick Cripps to have a great game in the middle and find a forward to kick goals. Trying to control the influence of the big Melbourne Ruckam, Max Gawn may also prove a handful.
After such a terrible season last year, Melbourne has had a lot of time to think about it and both the coach and players will be out to prove that they can still play footy.
Prediction
Melbourne should win this match in what could be a close contest for the majority of the four quarters.
Port Adelaide vs Adelaide
Last Meeting
Adelaide 5.14 44 – Port Adelaide 15.11 101
Last 5 Meetings
Port Adelaide – 2 Wins
Adelaide – 3 Wins
Key Injury Concerns
Port Adelaide – Willem Drew
Adelaide – Riley Knight
Current Head to Head Odds
Port Adelaide – $1.47
Adelaide – $2.75
The Showdown in Adelaide will be played at the Adelaide Oval with a minimum of 2000 fans welcome into the stadium.
Port Adelaide was too good for Gold Coast in their Round 1 encounter, while the Crows lost a close one at home to the Sydney Swans.
Adelaide is said to be at the beginning of a rebuild with a new coach, but they still have some damaging midfielders and some players in key positions that can have a decent impact on a football field.
Port Adelaide won the last Showdown by 57 Points and go into this game as the favourites.
Prediction
Port Adelaide should get the win here, but wet conditions are expected so the Crows may hang around in a lower scoring contest.
Gold Coast vs West Coast
Last Meeting
West Coast 11.14 80 – Gold Coast 8.9 57
Last 5 Meetings
Gold Coast – 1 Win, 1 Draw
West Coast – 3 Wins, 1 Draw
Key Injury Concerns
Gold Coast – David Swallow (Suspension)
West Coast – Mark Hutchings
Current Head to Head Odds
Gold Coast – $6
West Coast – $1.14
The Suns were average in their round one match, with just the 29 Points against Port Adelaide and the Eagles took care of the Demons to win the game by 27 points at home.
A lot of time has passed since then, and the real factor to watch for here is how well the Eagles cope with being in a player hub for the next four weeks.
The Eagles are the far talented team and should win the match on that alone, but the Suns have been known to play some good footy at the start of recent seasons and could be in the match if it is a wet scrappy affair.
Prediction
The Eagles should win this match, but the 31.5 Spread for the Gold Coast side may be appealing if ground conditions are slippery.
Be sure to check out our AFL Season 2020 Preview.