AFL 2025 Round 2 – Betting Tips, Odds & Predictions

The second first round of the AFL season – yes, that’s what I meant to write – is now in the books, with nine games taking place in ‘Round One’ after two in an abridged Opening Round the week prior. It’s all a little confusing and gives us both a compromised ladder and byes for two teams just a fortnight into the season, but we still have eight games to sink our teeth into in Round Two, which begins this Thursday when the Hawks take on the Blues. Below, you can check out our AFL tips and predictions for all eight games set to take place across the course of the weekend.

That could hardly have been a worse start for the Blues. Up against a Richmond team widely expected to finish last this season, it was all going to plan when Carlton opened up a 41-point lead in the second quarter. Somehow, they went on to lose. Their lack of composure against the spirited young Tigers was startling, but as coach Michael Voss will no doubt be re-iterating, it is a long, long season. Unfortunately, their first chance to make amends for that performance is not a particularly easy one.

The Hawks have started the season brilliantly, thus far justifying the hype that surrounded them after a blistering 2024. Following their impressive defeat of the Swans in the Opening Round, Hawthorn won comfortably against the Bombers, the 26-point margin probably not really indicative of the ease with which they won that game. Expect the Blues to come out with venom after last week’s effort, and if they play like they’re capable they should keep this one close – but it’s impossible to tip against the Hawks.

Bookmaker	James’ Tip	Odds
	Hawks to win	$1.40
	Hawks 1-24	$3.50
	Hawks 1-39	$2.15

Predicted Squads

Carlton Blues: B: J. Silvagni, J. Weitering, O. Hollands HB: A. Saad, M. McGovern, L. Cowan C: B. Acres, P. Cripps, L. Camporeale HF: S. Walsh, C. Curnow, L. Fogarty F: M. Cottrell, H. McKay, Z. Williams FOLL: T. De Koning, A. Cerra, G. Hewett I/C: N. Haynes, J. Motlop, C. Lord, S. Docherty, B. Kemp EMG: L. Young, M. Carroll, W. White

Hawthorn Hawks: B: T. Barrass, B. Hardwick, M. D’Ambrosio HB: C. Jiath, J. Impey, J. Battle C: D. Moore, C. Nash, J. Sicily HF: C. Macdonald, H. Morrison, N. Watson F: J. Ginnivan, M. Chol, W. Day FOLL: L. Meek, J. Ward, K. Amon I/C: J. Weddle, J. Newcombe, C. Mackenzie, F. Maginness, S. Frost EMG: C. Jiath, J. Gunston, L. Breust

The Bulldogs did not enter their Round 1 clash against the Roos with even close to a full list to choose from, but the 23 they put out on the park still came out strongly and did enough to win by 16 points. They looked particularly good early in that game, opening up a five-goal lead early in the second, but they were unable to maintain the rage and were pushed by their young opposition. Based on what the Magpies dished up last week, the Bulldogs will need to play well for a lot longer than they did against North Melbourne to secure a second win.

The Magpies dreadful start to the season against GWS was quickly forgotten when they returned to the MCG, with an absolutely dominant display against the Power much more reflective of a team with Premiership aspirations than their performance from the week prior. Collingwood ultimately won that won by 91 points, and if they replicate that effort the Dogs will have a tough task on Friday night. Though technically a home game for the Dogs, the Magpies will benefit from this being played at the MCG and can eke out a much more hard-fought win than last week’s routing.

Bookmaker	James’ Tip	Odds
	Magpies to win	$1.60
	Magpies 1-24	$3.40
	Magpies 1-39	$2.20

Predicted Squads

Western Bulldogs: B: B. Khamis, J. Freijah, T. Duryea HB: L. Bramble, R. Lobb, B. Dale C: B. Williams, T. Liberatore, S. Davidson HF: J. Dolan, A. Naughton, M. Kennedy F: L. Vandermeer, S. Darcy, J. Harmes FOLL: T. English, R. Sanders, E. Richards I/C: R. Garcia, H. Gallagher, L. McNeil, R. West, A. Jones EMG: O. Baker, L. Gardner, N. Coffield

Collingwood Magpies: B: B. Maynard, D. Moore, I. Quaynor HB: H. Perryman, R. McInnes, D. Houston C: S. Sidebottom, J. Daicos, P. Lipinski HF: B. Hill, D. McStay, J. Elliott F: T. Membrey, B. Mihocek, B. McCreery FOLL: D. Cameron, J. Crisp, N. Daicos I/C: L. Schultz, L. Sullivan, J. Howe, J. De Goey, S. Pendlebury EMG: E. Allan, B. Frampton, N. Long

The Bombers’ start to the season was probably best described as mundane. Few expected them to be able to compete with the Hawks, and they didn’t really. Though they did enough to avoid a blowout, Essendon never really looked like they had any chance of winning – a complete contrast to their opposition in Round 2, who jumped out of the blocks with a seven-goal first quarter and never looked back.

I’m bullish on the Crows this season. They were disappointing in 2024, but that year aside they have been consistently trending upwards and have a list capable of flying up the ladder this season. They showed how dangerous they can be when on song with a 63-point victory in their opening game, and should be expecting to go on with it this weekend. They’re always going to be at least a couple of goals better in Adelaide, but even away from home this weekend they should be able to get the points.

Bookmaker	James’ Tip	Odds
	Crows to win	$1.65
	Crows -6.5	$1.91
	Crows 25+	$2.90

Predicted Squads

Essendon Bombers: B: A. McGrath, B. McKay, S. El-Hawli HB: M. Redman, Z. Reid, J. Prior C: N. Martin, J. Caldwell, A. Roberts HF: X. Duursma, N. Caddy, A. Perkins F: H. Jones, S. Draper, I. Kako FOLL: N. Bryan, S. Durham, Z. Merrett I/C: E. Tsatas, B. Hobbs, D. Shiel, T. Edwards, J. Gresham EMG: J. Menzie, A. Clarke, T. Edwards

Adelaide Crows: B: J. Worrell, M. Keane, R. Laird HB: W. Milera, N. Murray, M. Michalanney C: I. Cumming, J. Dawson, L. Sholl HF: B. Keays, R. Thilthorpe, I. Rankine F: D. Fogarty, T. Walker, A. Neal-Bullen FOLL: R. O’Brien, J. Soligo, J. Peatling I/C: M. Crouch, J. Rachele, M. Hinge D. Curtin, S. Draper EMG: H. Bond, L. Murphy, T. Murray

• In their last five meetings at the Gabba, the Lions have won every game by an average of 53. 6 points, and their last two by 81 and 75 points.
• After winning their first two games of the season, the Hawks are now an impressive 16-4 in their last 20 matches.
• North Melbourne have not won a game against the Dees since way back in 2019.

Multi of the Week

No one would have been surprised to hear that one of these two teams lost by close to 100 points in their opening game of the season. The Tigers entered their Round 1 clash as $10 underdogs and were down by 41 points in the second quarter, but in one of the more unbelievable turnarounds in recent history, they somehow clawed their way back to beat the Blues in easily the upset of the season to date. Given they won just two games last year and were not necessarily expected to beat that number this season, that was some start.

Port Adelaide, meanwhile, were one of just a couple of teams to challenge Carlton for the most disappointing of the round, failing to give a whimper in a dreadful performance against the Magpies. In Ken Hinkley’s last season they will have finals at the forefront of their mind, but they’ll need to play a hell of a lot better than they did in Round 1. Despite those results, the home side will still enter this game as raging favourites, and should be expecting a comfortable win. After last week it’s a little hard to be as confident about how good the Power are, or how bad the Tigers are, but normal programming should resume with a Port Adelaide win.

Bookmaker	James’ Tip	Odds
	Tigers +37.5	$1.90
	Power 1-39	$2.50
	Tigers +48.5	$1.56

Predicted Squads

Port Adelaide Power: B: La. Jones, A. Aliir, M. Bergman HB: R. Atkins, J. Finlayson, K. Farrell C: J. Burgoyne, C. Rozee, J. Mead HF: W. Drew, M. Georgiades, W. Rioli F: D. Byrne-Jones, J. Lukosius, J. Richards FOLL: J. Sweet, J. Horne-Francis, S. Powell-Pepper I/C: J. Berry, J. Sinn, T. Boak, O. Wines, R. Burton EMG: I. Soldo, L. Evans, J. McEntee

Richmond Tigers: B: J. Blight, B. Miller, N. Broad HB: J. Short, N. Vlastuin, L. Trainor C: S. Banks, K. McIntosh, J. Trezise HF: R. Mansell, S. Campbell, S. Green F: J. Bauer, T. Lynch, S. Lalor FOLL: T. Nankervis, T. Taranto, J. Hopper I/C: T. Brown, T. Dow, J. Ross, H. Armstrong, T. Sonsie (sub)

The Saints appear to be firmly embedded in football purgatory, not good enough to challenge for a flag and with seemingly minimal hope of getting that close with their list in its current state, but not bad enough to fully bottom out either. That was painfully evident in their first game of the season, in which they were comprehensively outplayed from the bounce by a classy Adelaide team. They return to Melbourne this weekend, but it won’t get much easier if Geelong’s first performance of the season is anything to go by.

The Cats were phenomenal against the Dockers last weekend, blowing apart a team that has the potential to challenge for a top four spot to the tune of 78 points. They appear to have once again turned over their list without spending nearly any time off the top rungs of the ladder, and Bailey Smith’s first game in the blue and white hoops went as well as anyone could have hoped for. They have long been a better side in Geelong, where they played last week, but a quick trip up the Princes Highway shouldn’t be enough to stop them making it two from two this Saturday.

Bookmaker	James’ Tip	Odds
	Cats -23.5	$1.90
	Cats to win	$1.28
	Cats 40+	$2.60

Predicted Squads

St. Kilda Saints: B: C. Wilkie, Z. Cordy, J. Webster HB: A. Schoenmaker, N. Wanganeen-Milera, R. Byrnes C: B. Hill, J. Sinclair, M. Wood HF: H. Garcia, M. Windhager, M. Hall F: D. Wilson, M. King, J. Higgins FOLL: R. Marshall, J. Macrae, J. Steele I/C: Z. Jones, A. Hastie, A. Caminiti, M. Owens, H. Clark EMG: L. Stocker, H. Boyd, H. Boxshall

Geelong Cats: B: C. O’Sullivan, J. Henry, M. Blicavs HB: Z. Guthrie, T. Stewart, L. Humphries C: B. Smith, M. Holmes, O. Dempsey HF: B. Close, G. Miers, T. Stengle F: S. Neale, J. Cameron, P. Dangerfield FOLL: S. De Koning, T. Atkins, J. Bowes I/C: O. Mullin, M. O’Connor, O. Henry, M. Knevitt, J. Clark EMG: T. Clohesy, M. Duncan, R. Stanley

The Lions started their Premiership defence in style over the weekend, replicating the result from last year’s Grand Final against the Swans. This time around it wasn’t quite so comprehensive, but it was nonetheless a strong performance from the reigning Premiers after a tumultuous first couple of weeks of the season which saw their opening game postponed due to Cyclone Alfred. Things should get a little easier for them this week as they attempt to go two from two in their first home game of the season.

Under new coach Andrew McQualter, the Eagles will be desperately hoping to finally show some improvement this season, but that’s far from guaranteed and certainly did not look particularly likely in Round 1. As they have been for years, they were hapless in that game, going down by 87 points to the Suns in Perth. This is a far, far tougher task than that. The Eagles will not win this game, and if they can keep the margin under 10 goals that could probably be classed as some sort of a victory.

Bookmaker	James’ Tip	Odds
	Lions 73+	$3.10
	Lions -58.5	$1.91
	Lions 40+	$1.45

Predicted Squads

Brisbane Lions: B: D. Zorko, J. Payne, R. Lester HB: N. Answerth, H. Andrews, D. Wilmot C: J. Fletcher, Z. Bailey, J. Berry HF: C. Ah Chee, E. Hipwood, H. McCluggage F: C. Rayner, L. Morris, C. Cameron FOLL: O. McInerney, J. Dunkley, L. Neale I/C: W. Ashcroft, L. Ashcroft, D. Fort, D. Joyce, C. McKenna EMG: W. McLachlan, S. Day, S. Brain

West Coast Eagles: B: R. Ginbey, H. Edwards, B. Hough HB: T. Cole, J. McGovern, L. Baker C: J. Hunt, T. Kelly, L. Duggan HF: J. Graham, J. Petruccelle, J. Cripps F: M. Owies, O. Allen, N. Long FOLL: B. Williams, J. Hutchinson, H. Reid I/C: E. Hewett, T. Brockman, R. Bazzo, T. Dewar, R. Maric EMG: B. Allan, C. Hall, M. Flynn

The Kangaroos have kept the Eagles company down the bottom of the ladder over the past couple of years, but with a decent amount of young talent and a couple of veterans joining the fray over the off-season, they have more reason to expect improvement in 2025 than their western counterparts. Despite a slow start, they showed a little bit of something against the Dogs last weekend, though they will be eager to begin turning at least some gallant losses into wins this year.

The Demons, meanwhile, found themselves in one of the games of the weekend against the Giants, ultimately going down in heartbreaking fashion courtesy of a late Lachie Keeffe goal. This proud team won’t be pleased with that result, but realistically they should take plenty of heart from the fact that, after taking a huge step backwards and missing the finals last year, they took it right up to one of the Premiership favourites. The Roos won’t be the easy beats they have been for a long time this season and the Dees can’t afford to take them lightly, but they should be able to pick up their first win of the season.

Bookmaker	James’ Tip	Odds
	Demons to win	$1.35
	Demons 1-39	$2.30
	Demons to win the first half	$1.45

Predicted Squads

North Melbourne Kangaroos: B: C. Comben, A. Corr, M. Bergman HB: B. Scott, C. Daniel, L. McDonald C: F. O’Sullivan, L. Davies-Uniacke, J. Simpkin HF: H. Sheezel, N. Larkey, C. McKercher F: P. Curtis, J. Darling, C. Zurhaar FOLL: T. Xerri, T. Powell, L. Parker I/C: Z. Fisher, W. Phillips, J. Konstanty, R. Hansen Jr, D. Tucker EMG: D. Stephens, F. Maley, B. Teakle

Melbourne Demons: B: H. Petty, T. McDonald, C. Salem HB: B. Howes, J. Lever, J. Bowey C: E. Langdon, C. Petracca, C. Windsor HF: J. Viney, M. Jefferson, T. Sparrow F: B. Fritsch, J. van Rooyen, K. Chandler FOLL: M. Gawn - C, C. Oliver, T. Rivers I/C: X. Lindsay, H. Sharp, A. Johnson, J. Henderson, H. Langford (sub) EMG: J. Billings, T. Campbell, M. Howe

The Dockers made me look foolish last weekend. I was bullish about them all pre-season and picked them to upset the Cats in their opening game of the year, but they were absolutely no match for their opposition in a hugely disappointing display. It’s far too early to jump off them completely on the back of one bad performance, but they’ll need to play a hell of a lot better to compete with the Swans.

Not that Sydney is exactly flushed with confidence at the minute either. Given they were the best team for most of last year they have been somewhat forgotten in the lead-in to this season, and though they lost their opening game they were still right in it against the team that beat them in last year’s Grand Final and is the current Premiership favourite. Both of these teams is, in my view, underestimated in terms of their chances this season, but this is a massive game for both as they attempt to avoid going 0-2. Expect this one to go right down to the wire, but on their home turf the Dockers can just scrape over the line.

Bookmaker	James’ Tip	Odds
	Dockers to win	$1.67
	Dockers 1-24	$3.35
	Dockers 1-39	$2.25

Predicted Squads

Fremantle Dockers: B: B. Cox, A. Pearce, J. Draper HB: L. Ryan, B. Walker, J. Clark C: N. O’Driscoll, J. O’Meara, J. Sharp HF: M. Reid, M. Frederick, S. Bolton F: M. Walters, J. Treacy, J. Amiss FOLL: L. Jackson, C. Serong, A. Brayshaw I/C: B. Banfield, M. Johnson, N. Erasmus, C. Wagner, H. Chapman EMG: P. Voss, N. Erasmus, C. Simpson

Sydney Swans: B: N. Blakey, L. Melican, S. Wicks HB: M. Roberts, D. Rampe, B. Paton C: J. Lloyd, I. Heeney, Co. Warner HF: B. Campbell, T. McCartin, T. Papley F: W. Hayward, J. Amartey, J. Jordon FOLL: B. Grundy, Ch. Warner, J. Rowbottom I/C: O. Florent, J. Hamling, R. Bice, T. Hanily, A. Sheldrick EMG: P. Ladhams, C. Mitchell, A. Francis

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