We’ve begun our season 2026 tipping in emphatic fashion.
While it’s still early days, call us the Kangaroos of ’26 with the way things have gone from a tipping perspective.
6/9 tipping winners and 7/9 successful suggested bets. Let’s keep the party going in Round 2.
Hawthorn Hawks vs Sydney Swans
Thursday, March 19, 7:30pm AEDT - MCG
The weekend of footy looks skinny from a quality perspective given we already have four teams on a bye.
But this game shall not be one of those with the Hawks back to their high-flying best after a smashing of old rival, Essendon.
The Swans have had an excellent start to the season, arriving 2-0 after wins over the Blues and the back-to-back reigning premiers.
Injury issues have struck Sydney, though. Errol Gulden has a significant shoulder issue whilst Isaac Heeney is trying to overcome the AFL’s newest injury, ‘hamstring awareness.’
Remains to be seen how long that’ll put him out for.
The Swans wish to be more attacking and more bold to play box-office footy and these Hawks will likely oblige. We are set right up for a cracking contest with end to end footy on the menu.
With the Swans banged up stars, I’ll have the Hawks on home soil.
Head-to-head prediction: Hawks by 14 points.
Betting tip: Mabior Chol 2+ goals.
Adelaide Crows vs Western Bulldogs
Friday, March 20, 7:40pm AEDT – Adelaide Oval
This feels like the perfect early-season test for both squads.
The Dogs have often begun seasons behind the eight-ball but its win in Brisbane and hammering of GWS might give us a look at a real contender.
For Adelaide, they overcame the Opening Round opponent hoodoo in surviving a trip to The ‘G against Collingwood.
Riley Thilthorpe was immense late last season when he kicked a bag against the Dogs and he continued that form last week with 15 disposals and three goals against the Pies.
Keeping The Thrill Seeker and his wingmen, Fogarty and Walker, under wraps should be key to this game for the Dogs.
Around the ball, the Dogs look to have an obvious edge. Bontempelli ran amok last week with 33 and 3 snags. Tommy Liberatore had 29 and a goal whilst Matt Kennedy chimed in with 27 and a goal as well.
Berry, Dawson and Peatling will need to be on their collective and respective A-games.
Adelaide Oval is worth a couple of goals, so I’ll give the edge to Adelaide but these Dogs do look like they mean business.
Head-to-head prediction: Crows by 11 points.
Betting tip: Darcy Fogarty 2+ goals.
Richmond Tigers vs Gold Coast
Saturday, March 21, 1:15pm AEDT - MCG
Damien Hardwick returns to the scene where he led Richmond to two premierships.
These two clashed twice last season with Gold Coast easily winning the most recent BUT the Tiger Cubs did win at Marvel Stadium early last season. Timmy Taranto was immense for the Tigers in that win with 35 disposals and a goal.
Despite this match being played in Victoria, these Suns seem to have risen to a different level over the offseason.
They sleep-walked their way to a 59-point win over West Coast but were as impressive in their Opening Round demolition of Geelong.
Christian Petracca has been off the map in Brownlow betting, Ben King has plenty of goals and Matt Rowell is not even healthy yet. A scary proposition for most opponents.
Richmond’s army will come out in force trying to annoy, irritate and ultimately defeat Hardwick’s new toys but the Suns should shine on the big stage and silence the Tigers faithful early.
Head-to-head prediction: Suns by 41 points.
Betting tip: Alex Davies 17+ disposals.
GWS Giants vs St Kilda
Saturday, March 21, 4:15pm AEDT – Engie Stadium
The Saints were shaky and defensive in the Opening Round. They looked to grow in confidence in Round 1 & were attacking more successfully and more frequently.
BUT, you are what your record says you are and they’re 0-2 with a rough fixture ahead.
Scoring 100+ last week was a nice sign and Max Hall is worth the price of admission when Nasiah The Messiah is being tagged but they need to break the duck for 2026.
GWS were impressive in the Opening Round against Hawthorn, before an atrociously bad performance against the Dogs in Round 1. Their best and worst has always been poles apart, which is something Adam Kingsley would be keen to remedy.
Melbourne tagged NWM, Collingwood tagged NWM… will GWS repeat the dose?
I’m not sure I’d like to be the losing team here.
Head-to-head prediction: GWS by 3 points.
Betting tip: Toby Greene 21+ disposals.
Fremantle Dockers vs Melbourne Demons
Saturday, March 19, 7:30pm AEDT - Optus Stadium
The Dockers looked world-beaters after a quarter of footy in Geelong last week only to give up a five-goal lead and go home empty handed.
For Melbourne, I found them as hard as any to get a handle on and after 120 minutes of footy, Dees fans ought to be fairly positive with the start to the year though. Scoring, speed and ball movement were all on display last week.
Class should prevail here, though. Fremantle are a well-drilled group with few holes. And on home soil I’d anticipate a stronger performance across the four quarters.
Judd McVee against the old mob is always fun whilst Neil Erasmus was one who caught the eye last week.
Freo’s major question is around the make-up of its big men. Jackson is a machine and Josh Treacy is a beacon of hope ahead of the footy. Some want Sean Darcy replaced, some (me) want Jye Amiss replaced and big Mason Cox is waiting in the wings. Interesting time for Freo fans.
Head-to-head prediction: Fremantle by 24 points.
Betting Tips: Judd McVee 17+ disposals.
Port Adelaide vs Essendon
Sunday, March 22, 3:15pm AEDT - Adelaide Oval
Perhaps Round 1’s two stinkiest teams collide here with more than a few things to clean up.
The Power were turned off by North after kicking the game’s first two goals. The Kangas banged on 17 goals to seven in a dominant display which left Port fans bewildered.
The Josh Carr-era is off to an awful beginning.
For Essendon, things were hardly any better as Hawthorn produced some training drill-like goals on Friday night footy. It was harder to know whether the Bombers players turned up the toes or simply had no idea what to do when the Hawks turned up the volume.
And it’s hard to know which is scarier for Bombers fans moving forward.
The beauty of footy is, there’s always another week to turn things around and both teams get that chance here. Though, like GWS and the Saints, I’m pretty sure being the loser of this one will be under pressure again next week.
Head-to-head prediction: Port Adelaide by 17 points.
Betting tips: Todd Marshall 17+ disposals.
West Coast Eagles vs North Melbourne
Sunday, March 22, 3:15pm AEDT - Optus Stadium
The mighty Roos get a golden opportunity to begin what is going to be a pressure-packed season 2-0.
The president and the fans alike have said enough is enough - our time is now.
They began in style last week, and now go on the road to tackle easily the league’s undisputed worst team - West Coast. They found a way to win the solitary game last season, I’m not sure they’ll be winning many more than that based on what we’ve seen in pre-season and last week.
A loss here would undo almost everything positive which happened last week for North Melbourne, which is why only a win will do.
Head-to-head prediction: Kangaroos by 33 points.
Betting tips: Paul Curtis 2+ goals and Harry Sheezel 28+ disposals.
Odds are subject to change*