<p>Last week was kind enough to readers of The Huddle’s AFL previews, as Josh Daicos collected 25+ as we’d hoped.</p> <p>Sydney also won by 30 points when all we needed was 1-39 and Touk Miller picked up the Sherrin 30 times when that number was exactly what was required.</p> <p>Port and Richmond kicked a heap of goals and easily cleared the total points for us and we even landed a juicy SGM, Dawson 25+ into Rachele any time sausage into Oliver Henry 2+ snags.</p> <p>For those who missed last week’s feed, here’s another helping. The main course this week? A grand final rematch between two falling giants.</p> <p>Keen for news, analysis, odds and more for not just that game, but the rest of the AFL’s round 3 fixtures? Well, check out my AFL round 3 tips and predictions below.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Brisbane Lions vs Collingwood Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Thursday, March 28, 7:30pm AEDT – The Gabba</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Fancy this. We get the Grand Final rematch in round 3 and neither squad has a win on the board. Zip-and-two Brisbane up against zip-and-three Collingwood.</p> <p>Brisbane have played some dazzling footy to be fair, going up 46 points in round zero against Carlton and kicking four goals in the opening 15 minutes in Perth against Freo.</p> <p>Of course, they dropped both games and therefore have some questions to answer but we’ve still seen some evidence to suggest the Lions have the talent and system required to be there or thereabouts.&nbsp;</p> <p>What of Collingwood, though? Round zero was a loss to the premiership favourites, GWS. Round 1 they got handled by the premiership second elects and round 2 was a loss to a team which finished fifth on the ladder in 2023.</p> <p>Despite being zip-and-five combined, the form lines for both sides are not awful. So, who wins?</p> <p>Based on 2024 form it’s hard to imagine Collingwood can turn the tide and prevent the Lions from scoring a bucketload of goals.</p> <p>Charlie Cameron is yet to really roll in ’24 and Daniher and Hipwood have been decent without taking over any games.</p> <p>The Pies’ defence has been leaky but their ball winners have also been playing lethargic footy.</p> <p>Lethargy will get you another beating at the Gabba, but coach Craig McRae has promised adjustments. We will see. What I can promise is the loser has a mountain to climb to even make the 8 – forget about making the top four!</p> <p><strong>H2H tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/brisbane-v-collingwood-8094959">Brisbane Lions by 23 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet:</strong> Over total match points (164.5).</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>North Melbourne vs Carlton Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, March 29, 4:20pm AEDT – Marvel Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>North Melbourne will have to entertain an undefeated and fully rested Carlton on Good Friday.</p> <p>It may only end up being “good” for Carlton, with Norths extending their wretched run over the last few seasons into 2024.</p> <p>They’re winless to start the year, despite taking a commanding lead early against Fremantle last week.</p> <p>Their Freo fadeout will only serve to reduce morale even more and I’m sure the Blues are ready to bounce these wounded Roos.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/north-melbourne-v-carlton-8094960">Carlton by 21 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet: </strong>Carlton big win, little win 1-39.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Fremantle vs Adelaide Crows Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, March 29, 7:20pm AEDT – Optus Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>As you’ll soon find out, I’m a big fan of what Geelong are doing so far this season, so there is no shame in my book losing to them as the Crows did last time out.</p> <p>That being said, I do expect more from Adelaide at home, where they have been so dominant in recent times.</p> <p>Speaking of being dominant at home, Freo knocked off the Lions out West a few weeks back, before mustering a Nat Fyfe-led comeback against the luckless Kangaroos.</p> <p>Is it time to join the Fremantle fraternity? I think it might be.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/fremantle-v-adelaide-8094961">Fremantle by 13 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet:</strong> SGM – Nat Fyfe 15+ disposals &amp; any time goal scorer first half.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Essendon vs St Kilda Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, March 30, 4:20pm AEDT – Marvel Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Bombers brought the ‘Essendon edge’ to Sydney last week but despite the pushing, shoving, and physicality the result remained a big fat L.</p> <p>Sydney had lengths on the Bombers when it mattered and won the game running away.</p> <p>This clash with the Saints will be a nice test for both. The Saints were dirty about losing to Geelong in round 1 but rectified that loss with a heartening win over the reigning premiers at the ‘G.</p> <p>Both squads will relish getting back to Marvel Stadium as both play a good brand under the lid.</p> <p>Nic Martin’s move to defence has been sensational and he’s been immaculate in making decisions with ball in hand. They’ll get Mason Redman back as well, which adds to the potency off half back.</p> <p>St Kilda’s talent acquisition is beginning to shine through. Mitch Owens can play anywhere and do anything.</p> <p>Mattaes Phillipou looks like he can be a dashing midfielder in time, and we’ve all fallen in love with the ball use of Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera in the back half of the ground. This is a game the general AFL fan can go and watch and enjoy!</p> <p><strong>H2H tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/essendon-v-st-kilda-8094964">St Kilda by 11 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet: </strong>St Kilda big win, little win 1-39 points.</p>

<h2>Port Adelaide vs Melbourne Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, March 30, 7:30pm AEDT – Adelaide Oval</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>A genuine blockbuster a week before the AFL world arrives in Adelaide for Gather Round.</p> <p>Port are 2-0 without really breaking a sweat. They handled West Coast despite inaccurate shooting, while Richmond were in the game up to their eyes at halftime before Todd Marshall and Jeremy Finalyson kicked seven goals between them.</p> <p>The Dees will present a stiffer challenge and provide a more accurate picture of where the Power are really at.</p> <p>Steve May will miss the match, which will have Charlie Dixon, Marshall and Finlayson feeling better, but this Demon squad still possesses a ferocious and powerful on-ball group.</p> <p>Max Gawn’s best is still the best in regard to big men and Clayton Oliver’s resurgence has energised this group.</p> <p>Should Ivan Soldo match motors with Gawn, and Christian Petracca, Jack Viney and Oliver get rolled by Zak Butters, Connor Rozee and Will Drew then the Power will win. But at the moment, I am finding this game borderline impossible to pick.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/port-adelaide-v-melbourne-8094966">Port Adelaide by five points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet:</strong> Todd Marshall 2+ goals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Western Bulldogs vs West Coast Eagles Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, March 31, 1:00pm AEDT – Marvel Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Welcome to the wild, wild west. It’s the Western Bulldogs vs the West Coast Eagles this long weekend and as has become the norm over the past few seasons, I shall not be siding with the Eagles.</p> <p>They were blitzed once again last week, albeit by the current premiership favorites GWS, but their rebuild looks years away from being completed at the moment.</p> <p>The Doggies on the hand inflicted the first lot of damage to Dimma and his Glitter Strip boys and I’d wager they’re about to inflict a whole lot more here.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/western-bulldogs-v-west-coast-8094967">Western Bulldogs by 44 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet:</strong> Over total match points (179.5).</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Richmond vs Sydney Swans Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, March 31, 4:00pm AEDT – MCG</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>It’s Sydney’s world this season it seems and we’re all just living in it. Both GWS and the Swans have soared to the summit of the standings.</p> <p>Essendon provided adequate resistance last week against the Swans, but just like the Dees and the Pies in round 0 and 1 it was to no avail.</p> <p>Richmond’s slide continues, but they were brave in defeat, pushing Port despite their mounting injury crisis.</p> <p>I expect a similarly valiant showing from the under-manned Tigers here, but unfortunately for the Richmond faithful, the same result.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/richmond-v-sydney-8094968">Sydney Swans by 12 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet: </strong>Tri bet – either team by 15 or less.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Hawthorn vs Geelong Predictions</h2> <p><em><strong>Monday, April 1, 3:20pm AEDT – MCG</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Easter Monday is always a great game to catch. No matter the ladder positions these two almost always throw up thrillers and upsets.</p> <p>The Hawks were ridiculed for slow and dull ball movement last week despite largely being an attacking group in the Sam Mitchell coaching era.</p> <p>I wonder what Mitchell will encourage this week against a staunch Geelong defence?</p> <p>Geelong may again be the real deal. They went to Adelaide with less than half a midfield group and got the job done.</p> <p>Patrick Dangerfield will be removed from an already banged up mid group but Duncan, Atkins and Bruhn should take their places.</p> <p>The forward lime remains a potent one – Hawkins, Cameron, Henry, Stengle and the hard-working Close and Miers and then there’s Tommy Stewart!</p> <p>His performance against the Crows was as good as you’ll see. He man-handled Luke Pedlar and then did as he pleased on his way to 10 intercept marks and a best on field performance.</p> <p>The Hawks must have a plan for him. Could Jack Gunston be tasked with playing on – and playing off – the gun Cat? Geelong should win, but this fixture can be occasionally unpredictable.</p> <p><strong>H2H tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/hawthorn-v-geelong-8094970">Geelong by 25 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet:</strong> James Sicily 25+ disposals and Ollie Henry 2+ goals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>AFL 2024 Premiership Odds</h2>

<p>Fancy a flutter on Round 3 of the AFL? Check out our <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/punter-iq/guide/afl-betting-guide">AFL Betting Guide.</a></p>