The following are betting tips for Round 2 of the 2025 AFL season.
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Draftstars have a $75,000 fantasy sports contest for the Carlton v Hawthorn clash on Thursday night. Entry costs $15 and the top 25% of participants will receive a payout.
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Carlton vs. Hawthorn |
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Carlton expect to get dual Coleman Medal winner Charlie Curnow back for this clash, but I will still side with Hawthorn. Spanning this season and the last, Carlton bring 1-6 form into this clash compared to 6-1 for Hawthorn. The Hawks have gone 9-1 as the favourite over the last twelve months and even more impressively, they have gone 9-1 at the line as the favourite. I expect a strong reaction from the Blues following their shock defeat to Richmond last week, so I don’t expect a mauling. Carlton have only lost one home game by 40+ over the last twelve months. Over the same period they went 2-0 at the line as the home underdog. I would back Hawthorn in the head-to-head at 1.45 (Betfair). Those looking for more risk should consider Hawthorn 1-39 at 2.15 (Dabble).
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Western Bulldogs vs. Collingwood |
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This is a bet against the Western Bulldogs due to their injury list, which includes Marcus Bontempelli, Luke Cleary and Liam Jones. With the dataset I have at hand, Collingwood have gone 9-3 as the bookmaker’s favourite against the Bulldogs. This game is being played at the MCG, where the Bulldogs went 1-3 both in the head-to-head and the line last season. Collingwood have gone 7-3 at the line as the underdog over the last twelve months. Nine of the Pies’ 13 wins over the last twelve months were by 1-39 margins, while seven of the Bulldogs’ nine defeats were by 1-39. Nine of Collingwood’s last twelve wins over the Bulldogs were by 39 points or less. I would back Collingwood in the head-to-head at 1.58 (bet365, Dabble). Those looking for more risk should consider Collingwood 1-39 at 2.30 (Dabble).
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Essendon vs. Adelaide |
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Following last weekend’s results, Adelaide have firmed into the bookmaker’s favourite for this clash, but they were poor on the road last season and they played an injury-hit Saints side last week. Essendon, meanwhile, played a red-hot Hawthorn. The last four meetings between the Bombers and the Crows were settled by 4, 18, 3 and 2 points, so I will back both Essendon 1-24 at 3.85 (Dabble) and Adelaide 1-24 at 3.30 (Dabble).
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Fremantle vs. Sydney |
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Fremantle were brutally disappointing in their 147-69 defeat to Geelong last week. To add insult to injury, Sam Switkowski picked up a groin injury during the game. In better news, Shai Bolton could makes his debut for the club this week. Sydney have made a 0-2 start to the season, but they were highly competitive defeats against two strong opponents. Spanning this season and the last, Fremantle bring a five-game losing streak into this clash and a three-game losing streak at the line. The Dockers have lost and failed to cover the line in their last three home games against the Swans. I will opt for an alternative line and back Sydney +24.5 at 1.38 (bet365). The Swans have only suffered one 25+ away defeat over the last twelve months.