<p>Back-to-back stocking fillers for those who have been following along! Last week we landed Wizard Watson 2 or more goals and Whispering Nick Daicos 35+ disposal.</p> <p>&nbsp;A cheeky SGM with Matt Crouch collecting 30 and Darcy Fogarty kicking a couple against the hapless Dons, Mitch Georgiades for three snags and Shannon Neale for a couple also came in.</p> <p>Obviously, no one is perfect, but our misses were narrow, so all in all, a very rewarding week. Alright, time to turn our attention to AFL round 3!</p> <p>For the latest analysis, news, odds and betting tips for all of this week’s action, check out my AFL round 3 tips and predictions below, or follow me <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/feed/profile/view/56/ist_ambassador_deeplink_action">on the feed</a> and see them there!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Essendon vs Port Adelaide Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Thursday, March 27, 7:30pm AEDT – Marvel Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>A response must be forthcoming. A response surely comes. Bombers fans DEMAND a response.</p> <p>That’ll be the word of the week at Tullamarine after Essendon threw up a stinker and allowed a rampaging Adelaide to kick 161 points.</p> <p>Jordan Ridley and Kyle Langford were always going to be difficult bodies to cover but the lack of anything resembling team defence and ball pressure was alarming.</p> <p>Guys like Perkins, Reid, Jones, Duursma and leaders Redman and McGrath need to stand up and be counted, just like Zac Merrett does.</p> <p>Port continue to lose soldiers in the front half of the ground. Jack Lukosius will miss considerable time alongside Todd Marshall’s absence. More impact forward of the ball from Jason Horne-Francis might be the go-to move for Ken Hinkley.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/essendon-v-port-adelaide-9042663">Essendon by 5 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Jye Caldwell 30+ disposals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Carlton vs Western Bulldogs Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, March 28, 7:40pm AEDT – Marvel Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>A fascinating contest under the lid with both teams needing a win. The Dogs were excellent over the Roos in round 1 and were admirable, unlucky but beaten in round 2. They need to keep pinching wins whilst they await the resumption of their stars.</p> <p>The Blues need for a win is obvious and with a run under the belt, it’s Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay I’m looking toward.</p> <p>McKay has a decent record against the Dogs and enjoys Marvel Stadium whilst Curnow has 111 goals from just 45 games at Docklands.</p> <p>Rory Lobb is going sensationally well and matches up well with McKay whilst Buku Khamis might get another crack at King Charles.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/carlton-v-western-bulldogs-9042662">Carlton by 8 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Harry McKay 3+ goals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Melbourne vs Gold Coast Suns Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, March 29, 1:20pm AEDT – MCG</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>This could be my favourite game across the weekend. Do Melbourne have something to offer us this season or is the big summer of love going to amount to nothing?</p> <p>Conversely, can Gold Coast prove to us so early in the season they’re a real force to be reckoned with?</p> <p>The Suns won in style in WA then went for a freshen up. So, no excuses here.</p> <p>Forward half connection has been lacking for the Dees since the premiership and has shown no signs of recent improvement.</p> <p>I cannot wait to watch this game as the losing team will have more than a few questions to answer.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/melbourne-v-gold-coast-suns-9042664">Gold Coast Suns by 11 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Jake Rogers 2+ goals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>St Kilda vs Richmond Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, March 29, 4:15pm AEDT – Marvel Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Saints moved quickly from hopeless, to in the mix, with a surprise win over Geelong.</p> <p>Now they get another crack at getting ahead of the ledger with the Tigers on deck.</p> <p>Jack Higgins will be keen to perform against his old mob after beginning the season in lovely fashion. Six goals across the opening fortnight has him among the better performing small forwards in the AFL.</p> <p>Reality may have set in for the Tigers after that momentous Round 1 win but they’ll be keen to lean on the cubs for enthusiasm, energy and vitality as they keep gunning for the small gains across the season.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/st-kilda-v-richmond-9042665">St Kilda by 44 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Jack Sinclair 30+ disposals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Hawthorn vs GWS Giants Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, March 29, 7:35pm AEDT – University of Tasmania Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>In my mind, the winner departs this clash as the premiership favourite.</p> <p>The Hawks are yet to put a foot wrong whilst GWS began the season unbelievably, then found a way to win at the ‘G on a wet Sunday arvo.</p> <p>Both teams love transition games, and both teams possess elite kicks. Perhaps the contest and stoppage dominance will decide this one.</p> <p>Toby Bedford likely goes to Jai Newcombe rather than Will Day, meaning Day might be the one to get off the leash.</p> <p>Mabior Chol will have an enormous task competing against Jack Buckley and Sam Taylor – easily the premier key defensive duo in the game.</p> <p>This game will be combative, frenetic, chaotic and unbelievably skilful.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/hawthorn-v-gws-giants-9042666">Hawthorn by 4 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Will Day 25+ disposals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Brisbane Lions vs Geelong Cats Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, March 29, 7:35pm AEDT – The Gabba</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The clash we were supposed to see to begin season 2025 and in a way, both sides will be keen to respond to their showings last start.</p> <p>Geelong were clearly outplayed by the Saints last week and their better players had down days. Guys like Dangerfield, Cameron, Miers, Ollie Henry and Bowes were unable to positively impact the game until it was too late.</p> <p>The Lions won, albeit very unconvincingly against a plucky West Coast. At 2-0, the Lions are well placed to improve and have another crack but guys like Rayner and Andrews will need to find their groove quickly.</p> <p>The Cats rarely deploy a desperate tag, but Mark O’Connor may get the gig chasing Lachie Neale, who had 35 disposals and a goal last week after a dreadful round 1 display.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/brisbane-lions-v-geelong-cats-9042668">Brisbane Lions by 13 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Tyson Stengle 2+ goals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Adelaide Crows vs North Melbourne Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, March 30, 3:20pm AEDT – Adelaide Oval</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Kangaroos have NEVER won at Adelaide Oval. A remarkable stat and one which looks unlikely to be broken considering the form the Crows are in through two weeks.</p> <p>Charlie Comben and co quelled Melbourne’s forwards last week but this is a different kettle of fish, with the Crows possessing more than a handful of scoring threats.</p> <p>Darcy Fogarty has seven majors, big Thilthorpe six, Rachele six, Keays five… it’s been a scoring bonanza for Adelaide across the opening two weeks.</p> <p>The Roos look to have an advantage around the ball, though. Davies-Uniacke, Sheezel, Luke Parker, Simpkin and big Tristan Xerri worked over the Dees last week and whilst Adelaide’s midfield is vastly improved, I’m not sure they’re on North’s level.</p> <p>Across the ground however, 22 versus 22, I’m leaning towards Adelaide.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/adelaide-crows-v-north-melbourne-9042667">Adelaide Crows by 20 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Taylor Walker 2+ goals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>West Coast Eagles vs Fremantle Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, March 30, 6:10pm AEDT – Optus Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Derby is not the epic we’ve come to love but for Fremantle, only a win will do.</p> <p>Scores of 69 and 65 have not helped coach Justin Longmuir’s ‘vanilla’ pre-season comments and despite having some explosive types on the sidelines, this group is simply not firing.</p> <p>Jye Amiss needs to get rolling, just one goal so far and Shai Bolton’s impact looks like it may be limited with the bone soreness he’s dealing with.</p> <p>The Eagles were really good in Brisbane for three quarters and a repeat effort and repeat dose of skill and belief would see them go a long way here but there’s simply no result satisfactory for the Dockers other than an emphatic win.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/west-coast-eagles-v-fremantle-9042669">Fremantle by 34 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Shai Bolton 2+ goals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Collingwood, Sydney Swans – BYE</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Both Collingwood and Sydney get a well-earned week off after hard fought victories last round.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>AFL 2025 Premiership Odds</h2>