AFLW 2024 Round 2 – Betting Tips, Odds & Predictions

The AFLW season is now underway, following an opening round which saw all manner of different results. We saw two games decided by 2 points or less and five decided by six goals or more, the Kangaroos flexing their muscles in the most impressive performance of the round in one of the latter of those as they beat the reigning Premiers by 44 points. Round 2 kicks off on Friday afternoon with the Bulldogs, fresh off a dreadful opening round performance, taking on the Power, while highlights across the weekend come when the Demons take on the Lions, and the Kangaroos go head to head with the Cats. Take a look at our previews and predictions for all nine games set to take place across Round 2 of the AFLW season below. 

The Bulldogs could hardly have had a more disappointing start to the season than what they served up last weekend. They did not enter the year with particularly lofty ambitions, but nor too did the team they played in their first game of the year in the Giants. In that game, however, it seemed apparent that there is a lot more reason for optimism for the Giants than there is for their southern counterparts. The Dogs were no match for GWS in that game, kicking just a solitary goal and ultimately going down 72-9, sending them straight to the bottom of the ladder one game into the season. They will be looking for a much better performance this weekend, and while this should be a winnable game, they will need to be a hell of a lot better than they were against the Giants.

The Power, too, aren’t expected to be world beaters in just their third season in the league, but they improved a little from season one to two and their start to this year suggested they may once again be ready to take a step forward. They once again lost the Showdown, making them 0-3 in their history against their cross-town rivals, but a 14-point defeat to a team like the Crows is nothing for a team at their stage of development to be ashamed of. They were competitive throughout that game against a much better team than that which pumped the Bulldogs last weekend, and based on Round 1 performances the Power should be able to notch up their first win of the season here.

Bookmaker	James’ Tip	Odds
	Power to win	$1.33
	Power -13.5	$1.91
	Power 1-39	$1.60

Predicted Squads

Western Bulldogs: FB: L. Ahrens, I. Grant HB: J. Fitzgerald, C. Buttifant, E. Georgostathis C: M. Gorham, D. Carruthers, R. Wilcox HF: K. Weston-Turner, J. Smith, D. Berry FF: S. Hartwig, A. McKee Fol: A. Edmonds, E. Blackburn, I. Pritchard IC: J. Borg, B. Barwick, E. Grigg, B. Gutknecht, E. Gavalas EMG: H. Woodely, B. McFarlane, Z. Farquharson

Port Adelaide Power: FB: M. Brooksby, A. Borg HB: T. Germech, E. O’Dea, J. Cuthbertson C: C. Hammond, M. Moloney, S. Goody HF: K. Lamb, J. Mules-Robinson, G. Houghton FF: A. Saint, J. Teakle Fol: M. Scholz, A. Dowrick, S. Syme IC: P. Window, A. Foley, O. Levicki, E. Boag, C. Wendland EMG: M. Keryk, K. Pope, J. Stewart

The Demons and the Lions finished right up the top of the AFLW ladder last season, but their seasons could not have diverged more thereafter. While the Lions went on to win the flag, the Dees were eliminated in straight sets, and entered the season with something to prove as a result. And they’re off to a good start. Up against the team that knocked them out in the semi by just five points last year, they turned the tables to record a two-point victory against a quality outfit in Geelong. Their draw certainly doesn’t get any easier though, particularly given that the Lions will have a point to prove of their own after last week’s disappointing opener. 
 
The reigning Premiers were pumped from pillar to post by the Kangaroos, with a six-goal to none third quarter laying the foundation for a 44-point defeat. That was as impressive for the winners as it was disappointing for the losers, but don’t expect it to become the norm for the Lions. That result alone will not have changed their ambitions in the slightest, and a flag is still very much on the agenda, though in a ten-week season a 0-2 start to the year will put their backs right up against the wall as they look to secure the double chance. In Melbourne the Demons should be able to give them a serious run for their money, but the Lions will be hellbent on avoiding an 0-2 start to the year and can record a tight win on Saturday. 

Bookmaker	James’ Tip	Odds
	Lions to win	$1.78
	Lions -2.5	$1.91
	Lions 1-39	$1.90

Predicted Squads

Melbourne Demons: FB: G. Colvin, T. Gillard HB: M. Chaplin, S. Heath, P. Paxman C: E. McNamara, S. Lampard, B. Mackin HF: E. Zanker, L. Mithen, T. Harris FF: A. Bannan, M. Fitzsimon Fol: L. Pearce, T. Hanks, K.Hore IC: G. Hill. R. Watt, S. Goldrick, R. Wotherspoon, G. Beasley EMG: D. Taylor, G. Campbell, G. Gall

Brisbane Lions: FB: J. Dunne, S. Campbell HB: B. Koenen, N. Grider, J. Ellenger C: O. O’Dwyer, A. Anderson, S. Conway HF: L. Postelthwaite, D. Davidson, C. Mullins FF: T. Smith, C. Hodder Fol: T. Hickie, I. Dawes, C. Svarc IC: P. Boltz, R. Crozier, S. Davison, E. Hampson, E. Hartill, K. Lutkins, S. Peters, R. Svarc

Winning has not been a particularly common event for the Eagles since they joined the AFLW, with just seven of them coming in the past four seasons. They were not expected to change that trend this year and still may not, but they are off to a pretty good start after recording a thrilling one-point win over the Tigers last weekend. They were terrific in the first half of that game, jumping out to a 22-point half-time lead, but a Tigers’ surge in the second half saw the visitors snatch the lead with just a few minutes to go. Enter Kellie Gibson. A goal in the dying minutes put the Eagles back in front by two points, and with the Tigers only managing a solitary behind after that the home side won on for a rare victory. Now, they will look to go two from two against a Bombers team coming off a really disappointing first week of the season. 
 
After taking a big step forward last year, the Bombers had an intriguing first round clash against another team likely to be competing for spots in the lower half of the top eight, but this did not look like a game between two equals. Essendon was pummelled by the Dockers, going on to lose by 43 points and putting a huge amount of pressure on them to win this game. If they go 0-2, with one of those losses coming against the Eagles, it will be hard to envision them again finishing inside the top eight this year. The Eagles will be flying high after last week’s win and will enter this game with their tails up, but the Bombers really need to win it and can secure their first points of the season with a solid victory.

Bookmaker	James’ Tip	Odds
	Bombers to win	$1.52
	Bombers -8.5	$1.91
	Bombers 1-39	$1.70

Predicted Squads

West Coast Eagles: FB: Z. Wakfer, B. Schilling HB: C. Thomas, J. Rentsch, B. Smith C: S. Goranova, I. Lewis, J. Britton HF: S. Bakker, K. Gibson, M. Western FF: E. Roberts, A. Franklin Fol: L. Wakfer, J. Hosking, A. Drennan IC: E. Gooch, A. Bushby, G. Cleaver, V. Simmons, T. Lyons EMG: M. Webb, J., Harken, S. Lakay

Essendon Bombers: FB: E. Gamble, G. Clarke HB: A. Morcom, M. Gay, E. Gough C: E. Keaney, M. Prespakis, S. Alexander HF: A. Clarke, G. Gee, A. Gaylor FF: B. Toogood, A. Radford Fol: S. Wales, S. Cain, D. Bannister IC: G. Nanscawen, S. Van De Heuvel, M. Dyke, B. Walker, K. Jacques EMG: J. Vogt, L. Williamson, A. Van Loon

• The Power’s 14-point loss to the Crows last weekend was easily the closest they have ever got in a Showdown, while the Dogs’ 63-point loss to a fellow expected cellar dweller was one of the worst of the weekend. 
• Of the Crows’ ten wins last season, only one of them came by a single figure margin. 
• The Hawks were always going to have plenty of scope for improvement after bringing in a new coach and plenty of new talent, and it showed in Round 1 with a dominant 38-point win. 

Multi of the Week

The Magpies came into this year on the back of a disappointing 11th place finish last year, but with a lot of talent at the top-end they do still have the potential to bounce back and challenge for finals. Unfortunately, their year did not get off to the optimal start as they were bounced by 15 points by the Swans in Sydney. The result was far from a disaster and Collingwood held sway in the first half and came home strongly in the final quarter, but a 25-1 third quarter ultimately proved to be too much for them to overcome. They now have a tough challenge to avoid going 0-1 against one of the most impressive teams from Round 1 in the Hawks. 
 
This was always expected to be a year of improvement for the Hawks after they underwent a lot of change in the off-season, and they could hardly have started it better. Up against a Blues team which finished a few spots ahead of them in 2023, the Hawks won emphatically, booting 9.12.66 to the Blues’ 4.4.28 to start their season off about as well as they could have hoped. They loom as a genuine finals contender, and another win in Round 2 would put them in a great position to potentially even challenge for top four. Though the Magpies are more than capable of winning this game on their day, the Hawks can continue on their winning ways with another strong win. 

Bookmaker	James’ Tip	Odds
	Hawks to win	$1.65
	Hawks -4.5	$1.91
	Hawks 1-39	$1.80

Predicted Squads

Collingwood Magpies: FB: M. Atkinson, S. Livingstone HB: A. Lee, R. Schleicher, J. Allen C: T. White, M. Cann, S. Rowe HF: E. James, S. Sansonetti, G. Campbell FF: E. Fowler, A. Porter Fol: S. Frederick, B. Bonnici., C. Remmos IC: L. Brazzale, L. Cronin, I. Evans, I. Barnett, C. Blair EMG: E. Morris, S. Karlson, A. Schutte

Hawthorn Hawks: FB: J. Richardson, A. Kemp HB: T. Lucas-Rodd, K. Ashmore, L. Stone C: C. Sherriff, E. Bates, M. Williamson HF: G. Bodey, M. Breed, A. McDonagh FF: J. Vukic, B. Hipwell Fol: L. Wales, J. Fleming, E. West IC: B. Deed, E. Everist, C. Baskaran, H. McLaughlin, L. Elliott, T. Smith, A. Gilroy. L. Stephenson

The Tigers appeared to have been handed a pretty cushy to start the year, up against an Eagles team which has consistently been right towards the bottom of the ladder over the past four seasons, but a poor start to that game ultimately proved costly. They stormed home after conceding a big deficit to take the lead late in the game, but conceded a goal in the dying minutes to lose by one point. What should have been an easy start to the season continues when they host the Giants this weekend, though given how GWS played last weekend this may not be as easy as many may have anticipated. 
 
The Giants, after winning just two games last year and entering this season not expected to improve significantly, were absolutely dominant against the hapless Bulldogs in Round 1. They stormed away to a 72-9 win, a result which put them on top of the ladder one round into the season - not a position which they are accustomed to occupying. It’s also not one they will likely stay in for all that long, though with an upset win against the Tigers they will go to 2-0 and in such a short season, that invariably means their expectations will already be shifting towards competing for a spot in the finals. But impressive though they were last week, and disappointing as the Tigers were, it was just one game. The Tigers are still the better team, and should be able to bounce back with a strong victory after a poor performance last weekend. 

Bookmaker	James’ Tip	Odds
	Tigers to win	$1.32
	Tigers -13.5	$1.91
	Tigers 1-39	$1.60

Predicted Squads

Richmond Tigers: FB: G. Seymour, R. Miller HB: B. Lynch, L. McClelland, L. Graham C: M. Shevlin, A. Dallaway, K. Dempsey HF: C. Ryan, K. Brennan, C. Jones FF: C. Greiser, E. Yassir Fol: P. Kelly, G. Egan, M. Conti IC: J. Woods, S. Reid, M. Eastman, J. Hicks, E. McKenzie EMG: C. Wicksteed, I. Brown, A. Peck

Greater Western Sydney Giants: FB: P. Randall, K. Smith HB: T. Evans, C. McCormick, E. Pease C: A. Eva, N. Barr, M. Brazendale HF: G. Garnett, H. Zreika, I. Huntington FF: J. Doyle, Z. Goldsworthy Fol: E. O’Dowd, R. Beeson, A. Parker IC: J. Grierson, M. Gaffney, C. Ransom, K. Srhoj, M. Pauga EMG: C. Murpy, C. Miller, A. Newman

It wasn’t a particularly positive opening round for either of these two teams. The Suns came into the season with high hopes after a 6.5-win season last year, and though it ended ignominiously at the hands of the Swans, they will be expecting to once again compete for the finals at the very least. But their performance in Round 1 was not one of a team that will improve on that 2023 effort. They were completely outclassed by the Saints, going down 74-20 in a result that was both hugely impressive for the winners, and wildly disappointing for the Suns. Up in Mackay this weekend, they get the opportunity to bounce back against another big loser from Round 1. 
 
The Blues, meanwhile, appear to have brought the form which saw them end last season so poorly through to 2024. Of course, just one round in it’s a little early to make too many sweeping statements, but it looked clear in their opening game that their opponent in the Hawks have gone straight past them. The Blues were thumped 66-28, making it five wins on the trot harking back to last season. After winning four games last year – all inside the first six weeks – they look set to struggle to surpass that based on their Round 1 performance, and though a win here would very quickly change things, a loss would put their backs well and truly against the wall. The loser of this will quickly see their season slipping away, and with plenty on the line the Suns can bounce back from last week’s disappointment with a win. 

Bookmaker	James’ Tip	Odds
	Suns to win	$1.43
	Suns -9.5	$1.91
	Suns 1-39	$1.64

Predicted Squads

Gold Coast Suns: FB: W. Randell, C. Wilson HB: K. Bischa, K. Lynch, C. Fitzpatrick C: E. K. Smith, C. Whitfort, E. Barwick HF: A.. Kievit, J. Stanton, D. Davies FF: T. Bohanna, J. Dupuy Fol: L. Bella, C. Rowbottom, D. D’Arcy IC: E. Maurer, N. McLaughlin, L. Single, G. Clayden, J. Membrey EMG: C. McCrossan, K. Fullerton, T. Oliver

Carlton Blues: FB: L. Beatty, H. Cordner HB: C. Fitzgerald, K, Peterson, G. Lawson-Tavan C: D. Finn, M. Guerin, D. Vescio HF: L. Keck, M. Austin, M. Hendrie FF: B. Moody, K. Skepper Fol: J. Good, M. Hill, A. McKay IC: K. Sherar, J. Dal Pos, L. Goss, Y. Duursma, C. Moody, A. Velardo, G. pound, M. Anthony

One of the games of the round will see the Kangaroos pitted against the Cats – two teams with lofty ambitions in season 2024. The Kangaroos, in particular, have the weight of the world on their shoulders after last week’s effort, and not in a bad way. They are now Premiership favourites after the most impressive performance of Round 1, a performance which saw them trounce the reigning Premiers by a casual 44 points. That game, of course, was a repeat of the Grand Final which saw the Lions run away in the last quarter after a tight first three, but the Kangaroos turned the table in a big way last weekend and looked every bit a team capable of going one extra step this season. 
 
The Cats, meanwhile, suffered a really tight defeat at the hands of the Demons, the team that they beat in last year’s semi-final, but they were far from embarrassed in that game. That was a clash between two teams that are expecting to be vying for a spot in the top four, and it very much lived up to that billing. But in a ten-game season, losses like that can have a massive impact on where a team ultimately finishes, and with at least six and potentially seven wins needed to finish top four, the Cats can ill afford to go 0-2. Unfortunately for them, they have been given about as tough a draw as possible to start the season. They will be hellbent on avoiding consecutive losses to start the season, but there is no denying how impressive the Kangaroos were last weekend, and they should be able to continue their winning start to the season with another impressive victory. 

Bookmaker	James’ Tip	Odds
	Kangaroos to win	$1.26
	Cats +15.5	$1.91
	Kangaroos 1-39	$1.55

Predicted Squads

North Melbourne Kangaroos: FB: S. Wright, J. Ferguson HB: E. Kearney, E. O’Shea, L. Birch C: T. Craven, J. Garner, T. Gatt HF: B. Eddey, K., Shierlaw, A. O’Loughlin FF: E. King, T. Randall Fol: K. Rennie, A. Riddell, M. King IC: N. Martin, V. Wall, R. Tripodi, N. Bresnehan, A. Smith, Z. Savarirayan, L. McGrath, L. Burke

Geelong Cats: FB: C. Emonson, C. Gunjaca HB: R. Webster, M. McDonald, R. Kearns C: Z. Friswell, G. Prespakis, M. Bowen HF: J. Crocket-Grills, J. Parry, K. Surman FF: A. Moloney, K. Kenny Fol: K. Darby, A. McDonald, N. Morrison IC: G. Rankin, G. Featherston, S. Scott, A. Kennedy, D. Moloney EMG: A. McDonald, B. Plummer, C. Mason

Both the Saints and the Swans got off to impressive starts to the season, recording wins against teams at least expected to put themselves in the mix for the top eight. The Saints, in particular, put in an eye-catching performance. In a game which loomed as a tight one up against a Suns team that finished 5th last year – and on the Gold Coast no less – the Saints showed that they are more than capable of jumping into the top eight this year with one of the more impressive performances of Round 1. They kicked the first six goals of the game inside a little over a quarter and didn’t let up thereafter, ultimately going on to record a dominant 74-20 victory. Now, they head home for a clash against the team which beat the Suns in last year’s Elimination Final in the Swans. 
 
Sydney kicked off the 2024 season with the opening game against Collingwood, and as most predicted proved too strong. They were not nearly as dominant as the Saints were, but they still looked solid en route to their 50-35 victory as they attempt to replicate last year’s finals finish. There are plenty of teams expected to be fighting it out for similar spots in the bottom half of the top eight and these are two of them, and each of them put themselves in the category of front runners among that raft of teams with their first round performances. The Saints, however, were about as impressive as anyone last weekend, and back in Melbourne this weekend they can continue their winning start to the season against the Swans.

Bookmaker	James’ Tip	Odds
	Saints to win	$1.62
	Saints -4.5	$1.81
	Saints 1-39	$1.91

Predicted Squads

St. Kilda Saints: FB: N. Stevens, S. Watson HB: H. Priest, P. Trudgeon, B. Jakobsson C: M. McDonald, J. Lambert, D. Guttridge HF: J. Anderson, J. Wardlaw, N. Xenos FF: R. Caris, A. Richards Fol: S. Nalder, O. Vesely, H. Stuart IC: E. Friend, G. Kelly, A. Burke, C. Simpson, T. Smith EMG: M. Boyd, N. Plane, C. Matthews

Sydney Swans: FB: G. Davies, B. Tarrant HB: A. Mitchell, E. Heads, L. McEvoy C: M. Ham, T. Kennedy, M. Collier HF: B. Lochland, R. Privitelli, C. Hamilton FF: M. Beruldsen, S. Hurley Fol: A. Morphett, L. Gardiner, C. Molloy IC: K. Hillier, S. Grunden, H. Bullas, E. Vale, L. Szigeti EMG: L. Hausegger, B. R. Smith, A. Whelan

The round concludes with an interesting game between a team trying to establish themselves as a genuine finals side hosting one with much loftier ambitions. The Crows, of course, are a very good team and will never be easy to beat, but the Dockers were super impressive last year. Entering the season with a lot of question marks surrounding them given the substantial injury list they suffered last year and the multitude of changes that they underwent over the off-season, they took no time to find their feet in Round 1, blasting past the Bombers with an emphatic 64-21 win which may well force a few pundits to revise their expectations for the team this year. A strong performance against the Crows would only serve to further that fact. 
 
The Crows were not exactly at their dominant best in their own Round 1 performance, but they did what they needed to do in the third ever AFLW Showdown, winning 49-35 against their cross-town rivals in the Power. That was the closest Showdown to date, but that is as much a sign of the continued growth of Port Adelaide than anything. The Crows, having fallen just a point short of a Grand Final appearance last year, will be hoping – and expecting – to once again finish top four and give themselves every chance to go a step further than they did last year and make it through to the Grand Final. The Dockers were really impressive last week and if they play like that could make this an enthralling contest, but the Crows should be able to make it two from two with a strong win to round out Round 2. 

Bookmaker	James’ Tip	Odds
	Crows to win	$1.48
	Crows -9.5	$1.91
	Crows 1-39	$1.70

Predicted Squads

Fremantle Dockers: FB: J. Flynn, E. O’Driscoll HB: A. Brazill, G. O’Sullivan, M. Scanlon C: J. Low, H. Miller, E. Antonio HF: G. Newton, P. Seth, L. Pugh FF: A. Tighe, A. Runnalls Fol: M. Strom, A. McCarthy, D. East IC: A. Mulholland, M. Kauffman, O. Lally, J. Cregg, T. Kikoak EMG: A. Hetherington, M. Tuhakaraina, T. Mulder

Adelaide Crows: FB: C. Biddell, Z. Prowse HB: S. Goodwin, S. Allan, K. Kustermann C: N. Kelly, A. Hatchard, S. Thompson HF: R. Martin, C. Randall, B. Boileau FF: D. Ponter, E. Jones Fol: J. Allan, E. Marinoff, T. Levy IC: B. Tonon, K. Mueller, J. Waterhouse, M. Newman, D. Varnhagen EMG: L. Tarlinton, T. Henry, B. Smith

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