Round 2 Sunday AFL Matches: Previews, Supercoach Insights, Stats & Everything You Need To Know

NORTH MELBOURNE VS BRISBANE LIONS – SUNDAY 31 MARCH, 1:10PM, MARVEL STADIUM

North Melbourne were on the receiving end of a demolition job in the West last week against Fremantle, leaving coach Brad Scott with a host of issues to fix.

Shaun Higgins was tagged by Docker Darcy Tucker who kept him to only 10 possessions in the first half, including two majors for himself in the process. The Kangaroos failed to break through Fremantle’s defence leaving their forward line looking somewhat dysfunctional. Jamie Macmillan, Bailey Scott and Todd Goldstein were named as North Melbourne’s major contributors on the day.

Brisbane Lions were touted as a potential mover on the ladder this year with a list that is maturing nicely, along with some handy recruits. They were excellent against reigning premiers West Coast at the GABBA, and after spotting the Eagles a 27-point advantage at quarter time, were able to run away with a 44-point win.

Recruits Lincoln McCarthy and Lachie Neale lead the way on debut with four goals and 29 touches respectively. Charlie Cameron slotted three goals for the Lions with second year player Hugh McCluggage named their best.

This week:

It will be interesting to see how North Melbourne bounce following their Round 1 defeat. They will look for some continuity up forward and will heavily rely on Ben Brown to kick them a winning score. Expect Shaun Higgins to bounce back from an uncharacteristically quiet week and being a leading contributor. The Kangaroos will need to win the stoppages and avoid turnovers.

It’s an opportunity for Brisbane to back up their solid performance last week. The Lions have been unable to defeat North in their past six matches and will look to buck the trend.  If Brisbane are a realistic chance of finishing around the top eight they need to win these 50-50 encounters.

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How To Watch:

Stream Every Game Of The 2019 AFL Toyota Premiership Live & On Demand With Kayo

Team News:

North Melbourne: IN – Paul Ahern, Scott Thompson, Tarryn Thomas, Tom Campbell & Cameron Zurhaar
OUT – Ed Vickers-Willis (inj)

Brisbane: IN – Nick Robertson, Connor Ballenden, Noah Answerth & Archie Smith
OUT –

Supercoach Tips:

• North Melbourne – BUY – Bailey Scott was the Round 1 Rising Star nominee after racking up 21 possessions at 90% efficiency against Fremantle. At only $117,300 he represents good value.
• Brisbane – Watch – Alex Witherden has been talked about being a key player down back this season in Supercoach and scored 97 in Round 1. A player to keep in mind if not yet selected in your team.

Betting Insights:

• North Melbourne has won each of its last four matches against Brisbane at Marvel Stadium by a margin of 40+ points.
• Ben Brown has kicked three or more goals in each of North Melbourne’s last four matches at Marvel Stadium.
• Alex Witherden has recorded 25+ disposals in four of Brisbane’s last five matches against opponents from Melbourne.

TIP: Like Brisbane as a team on the rise. Should beat North Melbourne following their disappointing performance in the West last week.

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HAWTHORN HAWKS VS WESTERN BULLDOGS – SUNDAY 31 MARCH, 3:20PM, MCG

Both teams proved too strong for their opposition last week, with one team set to walk away with a record of 2-0.

Hawthorn had all the answers against an ordinary Adelaide side last week with several tactical master strokes from coach Alistair Clarkson.

The Hawthorn squad contributed evenly across the field. Ben McEvoy was solid in the ruck against Sam Jacobs, while James Worpel and James Sicily found plenty of the football.

Western Bulldogs were 17-point winners over a fast finishing Sydney side. They began quickly with seven unanswered goals early helping them to a 40-point lead just after half time. The Swans rallied hard late but the Bulldogs outfit held their nerve.

Aaron Naughton, Marcus Bontempelli and Tom Liberatore featured amongst the Dogs best with standout performances.

This week:

Hawthorn welcome Tom Scully to the side for his first game in the brown and gold after being picked up in what some consider a steal over the trade period. If his body can hold up, he will slot beautifully into the Hawks midfield.

For Hawthorn to win they simply  need to supply a repeat performance of last week. They were impressive against Adelaide with James Worpel cementing himself as a future star of the game.

Western Bulldogs will be looking to keep their confidence and momentum rolling into Round 2. They must apply pressure to Hawthorn’s midfield and be cleaner with their entries inside 50m.

Hoping this will be an entertaining encounter but think Hawthorn will have too many answers.

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How To Watch:

Stream Every Game Of The 2019 AFL Toyota Premiership Live & On Demand With Kayo

Team News:

Hawthorn: IN – Dylan Moore, Mitchell Lewis, Tom Scully & Kaiden Brand
OUT –

Western Bulldogs: IN – Lewis Young, Jackson Trengove, Patrick Lipinski & Fergus Greene

OUT –

Supercoach Tips:

• Hawthorn – Watch – James Worpel top scored for Hawthorn franking his JLT form. He had the most contested possessions for the Hawks along with 27 touches and two goals.
• Western Bulldogs – Watch – Tom Liberatore returned following an ACL injury in 2018 with a score of 75. He had 28 possessions at 60% efficiency. Expect him to improve as the season progresses.

Betting Insights:

• Hawthorn go into this game favourites over the Bulldogs
• Luke Breust is the punters choice to kick the most goals
• Favourite for most disposals from the Bulldogs is Jack Macrae

TIP: Hawthorn

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GOLD COAST SUNS VS FREMANTLE DOCKERS – SUNDAY 31 MARCH, 3:40PM, METRICON STADIUM

Hard to get excited about the prospects of this game with Fremantle having a record of 7-2 against the Suns.

The Dockers have been under pressure off field with recent incidents involving their players and have been undermanned on the park. They showed spark which AFL fans haven’t seen from them in a while, playing with speed and flair. Cam McCarthy kicked five goals and was named Fremantle’s best along with Nat Fyfe and Darcy Tucker.

Gold Coast stunned the crowd at Marvel Stadium last week booting four quick goals in the first term to open up a 17-point lead. The Saints fought back hard in the second and third terms to put the home side in the lead at the start of the final term. Gold Coast fought back hard and even managed to stick their nose in front on a couple of occasions but St Kilda held on for a one-point win.

Brayden Fiorini, Alex Sexton and  Jarrod Witts all featured prominently for the Suns with Sexton kicking four goals.

This week:

Gold Coast have promised their supporter base that they will be more competitive in 2019 and have worked hard over the off season, they will get the opportunity to make good of their word. They must run, attack, be clean with the ball and make sound choices to be competitive against the Dockers.

Fremantle need to produce the same effort they did against North Melbourne last week. The clean ball movement is what hurt the Roos. Jesse Hogan will make his debut for the Dockers and will add extra depth to the forward line.

Nat Fyfe has an outstanding record against Gold Coast. He averages 30.6 disposals and 8.5 clearances a game, both higher than against any other opponent. He has also received nine Brownlow Medal votes in six matches.

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How To Watch:

Stream Every Game Of The 2019 AFL Toyota Premiership Live & On Demand With Kayo

Team News:

Gold Coast: IN – Will Brodie, Jacob Heron, Nick Holman, Jesse Joyce & Ben King
OUT – Ben Ainsworth (inj)

Fremantle: IN – Jesse Hogan, Brandon Matera, Taylin Duman, Stefan Giro & Mitchell Crowden
OUT – Hayden Ballantyne (inj)

Supercoach Tips:

• Gold Coast – BUY – Charlie Ballard recorded a score of 105 in Round 1. Picked in only 956 teams he is worth considering given that he is moderately priced at only $241,800.
• Fremantle – Watch – Cam McCarthy kicked five goals and racked up 20 possessions to score 121 in the first round. Fremantle were flattered against an ordinary Kangaroos outfit so keep safe.

Betting Insights:

• Fremantle has won three of their past five matches against Gold Coast
• Nat Fyfe favourite for most disposals for Fremantle
• Jesse Hogan on debut for Fremantle is the punters choice for most goals

TIP: Fremantle easily

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