Round 2 of the AFL season is set to kick off on Thursday, March 20, 2025, as Carlton prepares to take on Hawthorn at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), with both teams eager to establish momentum after contrasting starts to the season. This matchup promises excitement as the Blues, coming off a disappointing Round 1 defeat, aim to regroup, facing the Hawks, who are eager to continue their impressive form.
For the pivotal clash, Carlton head coach Michael Voss has received encouraging news: spearhead Charlie Curnow, who missed the previous match due to recovery from minor knee surgery, is expected to return. His presence will be pivotal for the Carlton forward line. Also set to make his return is small forward Orazio Fantasia, adding depth to the lineup. Meanwhile, Hawthorn will be without Jack Scrimshaw for this game due to concussion, following his high hit on Essendon's Jordan Ridley last week.
The match will commence at 7:30 PM (local time), with live broadcasts available across multiple platforms, including Seven and 7Plus, Fox Footy, Kayo, and Binge. The Blues are currently viewed as underdogs with odds of $2.80 against the more favored Hawks at $1.45, according to Pointsbet.
Also on the first day of the matchups, expert commentators anticipate significant performances. ESPN’s tip suggests the Hawks will emerge victorious by 11 points, reflecting their earlier success and momentum.
On Friday, March 21, the action continues with another enticing matchup between the Western Bulldogs and Collingwood at the MCG. Costly injuries may complicate the Bulldogs' strategy, as Luke Cleary and James O’Donnell are expected to sit out, increasing pressure on their remaining squad members. Collingwood is optimistic about the return of star midfielder Jordan De Goey, who has been recovering from a bruised knee and could make his season debut.
The match starts at 7:40 PM, with broadcasts available via Seven and 7Plus, Fox Footy, Kayo, and Binge. The betting odds favor the Magpies at $1.65 against the Dogs at $2.25, with ESPN predicting Collingwood to win by 19 points.
Switching gears to Saturday, March 22, the Essendon Bombers will face off against the Adelaide Crows, with match kickoff scheduled for 1:20 PM. Essendon will be without key players Kyle Langford and Jordan Ridley due to injuries sustained from last week’s match. The Crows, motivated to secure their first victory of the season, feel confident and are seen as favorites with odds of $1.67, predicting them to triumph by 21 points according to ESPN.
Another noteworthy event on the same day will see Port Adelaide host Richmond at Adelaide Oval, where both teams will be assessing their strategies after disappointing starts. Port Adelaide seeks redemption following their season opener, which was marred by multiple injuries. This game, starting at 4:15 PM, will also feature updated betting odds, with Port seen as heavy favorites at $1.12 against Richmond at $6.
Later on, St Kilda will take on Geelong, and again the Cats are favored for success with ESPN predicting them to win by 34 points. Injuries for the Saints mean they are still struggling to find their footing early this season.
Looking at the Sunday matchups on March 23, the Brisbane Lions will square off against West Coast, where fans expect the Lions to dominate following their season-opening performance. The match set for 1:10 PM presents Birmingham fans with excitement; Brisbane's odds are heavily tipped at $1.05 against the Eagles at $10. ESPN forecasts the Lions to win by 52 points.
North Melbourne will also engage with Melbourne, where unfortunate injuries for the Roos create challenges as they aim to upset the Demons. Despite setbacks, the betting reflects confidence, with Melbourne seen at $1.35, favorably tipped to win by 16 points.
Lastly, Fremantle will be up against Sydney, with both teams needing to bounce back strong to avoid slipping to 0-2 for the season. Selection announcements reveal hopeful news for Fremantle fans: numerous key players, including Nat Fyfe, may be returning to bolster their contention against Sydney.
ESPN has tipped Fremantle to edge out Sydney by 5 points, bringing what is expected to be another thrilling encounter.
This week’s matches promise both intense competition and thrilling entertainment for AFL fans across Australia. With every game generating significant interest, fans are thrilled to follow the narratives of players returning from injury and teams fighting for their season’s future.
Make sure to tune in to witness the excitement of Round 2 of the AFL Premiership season across various broadcast channels, and follow along as teams battle it out on the field!
