Fremantle will be looking to move to 2-0 after an inspiring Round 1 win while the Saints will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing loss when the two sides meet on Sunday evening. Andy Rosos has you covered with his full preview and betting tips for the final game in Round 2 below.
Remember, BYB will have plenty of AFL content going up regularly this season, including week by week Brownlow predictions as well as betting tips for every game. Be sure to check out AFL Tips for updates.
Fremantle vs St Kilda Betting Tips
Optus Stadium, Sunday 27th March, 6.20pm (AEDT)
Fremantle
Injuries: Matt Taberner, Nathan Wilson, Nat Fyfe, Matthew Johnson, Eric Benning, David Mundy, Brennan Cox (Out)
Fremantle will get some key players back into the line-up this week in the likes of ruckman Sean Darcy as well as James Aish and Joel Hamling. Brennan Cox and David Mundy will miss after being placed in H&S protocols while Nat Fyfe remains on the sidelines for at least one more week.
In arguably the most exciting game of Round 1, the Dockers battled it out with the Crows on Saturday and ultimately prevailed by 1-point in a thriller. Andrew Brayshaw was best on ground for the Dockers, racking up 28 touches while youngster Caleb Serong was also solid through the midfield.
The Dockers will have been keen to get skipper Nat Fyfe back this weekend, but unfortunately, the two time Brownlow medalist will remain on the sidelines with a back injury.
St Kilda
Injuries: Jack Billings, Jack Bytel, Hunter Clark, Nick Coffield, Dan Hannebery, Zak Jones, Paddy Ryder (Out)
The Saints have a fair list of key players still on the sidelines, a few of them with no real return in sight. Jack Billings looks to be the closest to returning, but is still a few weeks away.
The Saints were arguably the most disappointing team in Round 1 given their expectations heading into the season. Sure, they have a fair list of injuries, but a lack of heart and an embarrassing amount of basic skill errors seemed to be the catalyst in their loss to the Magpies.
There weren't many positives to take out of the loss for the Saints outside of the debut from ruckman Jack Hayes. The first-gamer racked up 18 touches, kicked three goals and proved himself a viable replacement for the injured Paddy Ryder. Along with Rowan Marshall, the Saints now have a impressive ruck core that should hold them in good stead for the rest of the season.
The Saints have made some changes for their Round 2 clash, dropping Dean Kent and Mitch Owens while bringing in Ben Long, Cooper Sharman, Jarrod Lienert, Tom Campbell and Tom Highmore to an extended bench.
Match Prediction
The bookies have these teams pretty even, with the Dockers starting as slight 1.5 point favourites. I think the Saints will come out with a bit more intensity than they showed in Round 1, but the Dockers play pretty well at Optus Stadium. I'm not willing to take one side or another for my best bet here, but this one does scream unders to me.
There will be a fair bit of rain around the Perth area throughout the weekend and while there is only a slight chance of precipitation come game time, I think it could be a greasy affair regardless.
The total is currently at 163.5 and these two teams have not combined for that many points since all the way back in 2017.
Under 163.5 Points
$1.90 (1.5 Units)
Prop Bets
If I'm forced to side with one team here, I'm leaning slightly towards the Saints as underdogs. Their performance was much worse than the Dockers last week, but I think that could encourage a bigger shift in fight and willingness coming into Round 2. When the two sides met last, St Kilda decimated the Dockers by 58 points at Bellerive Oval.
St Kilda +2.5 ($2.00 at Ladbrokes)
Mason Wood looks to have locked up a spot in the Saints side for now at least. He was one of their better players in Round 1 with 13 touches and a goal. Interestingly, he's booted the first goal of the game in three of his last five games.
Mason Wood 1st Goalscorer ($18 at Sportsbet)
Seb Ross had just 19 touches in Round 1, but he has been a big accumulator for the better part of a decade now, and he is really the only player in that category in his group at Ladbrokes which includes Sinclair, Clark, Acres, Young, Marshall and Webster. Probably only needs 25 to win this group, a tally he can get with his eyes closed on his day.
Seb Ross Most Disposals G2 ($5.00 at Ladbrokes)
