Round two of the AFLW is set to throw up some intriguing battles, with only nine games in the home & away season, teams will be desperate to bank early wins. We have previews and betting tips for all five confirmed games below!
AFLW Round 2 Betting Tips
Western Bulldogs vs Carlton
Friday Feburary 5, 7:45pm
Round two kicks off with Carlton travelling to Whitten Oval to take on the Bulldogs. The Blues will be out to send a statement after an upset loss in round one against Collingwood. A slow start proved costly for Carlton as they were held scoreless in the first half, despite a strong finish, they couldn’t overcome the resilient Pies. The Bulldogs went down by nine points against the Saints in round one in a tight encounter at Moorabbin. Isabel Huntington (7 marks and 2 goals) and Ellie Blackburn (21 disposals) were phenomenal but couldn’t drag the young Dogs side across the line. Carlton’s star studded midfield were contained by the Pies last week with Elise O’Dea (10 disposals), Georgia Gee (7 disposals), Katie Loynes (6 disposals) couldn’t impact the game. Whilst the Blues will need a lift from Tayla Harris after she was outplayed by Stacey Livingstone. Carlton will look to be a lot more aggressive with their ball movement this week, which could expose the Bulldogs defence that struggled immensely last season. The Blues hold a 3-1 head to head advantage over the Bulldogs and will be out for redemption after a disappointing loss last week. Expect a big bounce back from the Blues as they look to get their season back on track.
Collingwood vs Gold Coast Suns
Saturday Feburary 6, 3:10pm
The Pies will be full of confidence after knocking off Carlton on the opening night of the season. The Pies midfield took apart the highly rated Blues midfield, winning the clearance battle 24-19, which led to a plus nineteen advantage in the disposals. Britt Bonnici (22 disposals), Jaimee Lambert (18 disposals) and Steph Chiocci (17 disposals) controlled the midfield, whilst Chloe Molly was electric up forward booting two goals. Stacey Livingstone dominated Tayla Harris holding the Blues forward goalless, whilst picking up 14 disposals and five marks. The Suns will be ruing a second quarter meltdown which cost them dearly against Melbourne last week. The Suns led at quarter time before conceding five straight goals in the second quarter, which two came from 50m penalties which gave the Dees a lead that the Suns couldn’t reign in. Jamie Stanton (18 disposals & a goal) and Sarah Perkins (2 goals, 4 marks and 11 disposals) were excellent for the Suns. The Suns have the talent to mix it with the top teams, but their inexperience could cost them against some of the top sides as it did last week. The Pies heavy handball, run and gun style proved the goods last week against one of the best teams in the competition and if their defence can intercept across half back like they did last week, they’ll be nearly impossible to beat. The Pies will continue their good form to start the season.
Melbourne vs Richmond
Saturday Feburary 6, 5:10pm
Richmond travel to Casey Fields to take on Melbourne, who are coming off a 21 point win over the Suns. Richmond were dominated by the Lions in round one, the 29 point margin flattered the Tigers who were held to one goal, as Brisbane kicked 5.11. Richmond’s two star players in Monique Conti (12 disposals) and Katie Brennan (0 goals, 3 behinds) had a nightmare start to the season. With the Tigers inexperienced list, their senior players need to be performing if they are to remain competitive. The Tigers were smashed in the disposal count (-43), clearances (-10) and most concerningly tackles (-22). To lose the disposal and tackle counts by massive margins is incredibly concerning. Karen Paxman dominated the Suns in round one with 25 disposals, three marks and four tackles to lead the Demons to a comfortable victory. Lily Mithen (22 disposals, one goal) and Eliza McNamara (18 disposals) gave support to Paxman in the midfield, as a second quarter blitz showed when the Demons are on, they can be damaging. Melbourne’s talls in Teagan Cunningham and Lauren Pearce will give the Tigers plenty of headaches with their contested marking. The Dees weren’t at their absolute best in round one, but their system held up which should give them plenty of confidence that if they get anywhere near their best, they will give the Tigers a thumping.
North Melbourne vs St Kilda
Sunday Feburary 7, 1:10pm
North Melbourne’s midfield dominated with Emma Kearney (22 disposals), Ash Riddell (20 disposals) and Jemma Bruton (19 disposals) tearing the Cats apart in the middle. But it was Emma King with 30 hitouts, 10 disposals and 3 goals that would be leaving opposition sides scared. North Melbourne have always had talent all across the field, but if Emma King can dominate in the ruck and push forward, this North Melbourne side has no weakness. Led by 24 disposals from Georgia Patrikios, St Kilda held off a fast finishing Bulldogs outfit to begin their season with a win. The young Saints won the disposal count by 39 and the clearance count by 12, however they struggled turning that dominance into positive territory as they lost the inside 50 battle by 13. The Saints looked impressive through the midfield, but still lack the firepower up forward to match it with the top sides. North Melbourne's size will be a big factor in this clash, they beat up on the younger and smaller Geelong outfit last week. The Saints could be in for a similar battle against the Roos' seasoned veterans. The Roos experience and depth is going to be too much to handle for the Saints, with North Melbourne's dominant forward line set to give the St Kilda defence plenty of worries. The Saints are on the rise, but they aren’t on North Melbourne’s level yet. The Roos won't have any trouble getting past the line in this clash.
North Melbourne (-17.5)
$1.88
Brisbane vs Geelong
Sunday Feburary 7, 3:10pm
Brisbane hosts Geelong on Sunday afternoon in a matchup of two teams with polar opposite performances in round one. The Lions were utterly dominant in their 29 point win over the Tigers, whilst the Cats copped a 61 point hiding from North Melbourne. Belle Dawes had a career high 21 disposals in the Lions win, earning herself a Rising Star nomination. The Lions lead the disposal count by 43, the clearance battle by 10, the inside fifty count by 7 and the tackle count by an astounding 42. An inaccurate performance in front of goal was the only thing preventing a blowout, but Lions showed that last season’s burst was no fluke. The worries about the Cats coming into the season were confirmed in round one, their undersized backline got exposed badly and their forward line was non-existent in their loss to the Roos. Their forward line faces another massive challenge against one of the best defensive units in the competition. The Lions midfielders and defence play a very disciplined style which makes it hard for opposing sides to score against them. The Cats midfield battled hard last week, but they don’t have enough talent in the midfield to compete with the better teams. Brisbane defeated Geelong by 19 points last season at GMHBA stadium, with the Lions at home and full of confidence, expect a big win for Brisbane.
