AFL 2025 Round 2 – Betting tips & Predictions

We are treated to more AFL action this week, as Round 2 kicks off on Thursday, with eight games in total for this round. There were some interesting results last round and there are a few teams that will be looking to avoid going 0-2 to start the season. Will the favourites triumph, or will the underdogs cause a shock?

So, without further ado, let’s get stuck into some 2025 AFL tips for Round 2 action!

Well, I (and I think the majority of the AFL world) wasn’t expecting that. The Tigers walked all over the Blues last time out and they have to be licking their wounds from that one. Can that pop in a bounce-back performance here? Unsurprisingly, the Hawks, who are 2-0 to start the season come into this one as the favourites.

Even though Curnow looks set to return for the Blues, I’m siding with the favs here. The Hawks will look to cause some headaches for the Blues and there are some match-up problems. The speed of the Hawks star players alone looks like it will be too much for the Blues who could very well start the season 0-2.

Bookmaker	Katherine’s Tip	Odds
	Hawks -16.5	$1.88
	Hawks -15.5	$1.91
	Hawks -16.5	$1.90

Predicted Squads

Carlton Blues: J. Silvagni, J. Weitering, O. Hollands, A. Saad, M. McGovern, L. Cowan, C. Curnow, B. Acres, P. Cripps, L. Camporeale, S. Walsh, B. Kemp, L. Fogarty, M. Cottrell, H. McKay, Z. Williams, T. De Koning, A. Cerra, G. Hewett, N. Haynes, J. Motlop, C. Lord, F. Evans & S. Docherty

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

After falling to the GWS Giants in the Opening Round, the Magpies put together a massive bounce-back performance, beating the Power by almost 100 points. The Bulldogs also chalked up the first win of their season in their first game against North Melbourne.

The Dogs already have a lot of injuries and now they are adding Luke Cleary (concussion) and James O’Donnell (fractured jaw) to that list. They know how to perform despite being a few men down, although I think this will be too tough. The Magpies have that class that I think will help get them the win.

Bookmaker	Katherine’s Tip	Odds
	Magpies to win	$1.55
	Magpies to win	$1.62
	Magpies to win	$1.58

Predicted Squads

Western Bulldogs: L. Gardner, J. Freijah, T. Duryea, L. Bramble, R. Lobb, B. Dale, B. Williams, T. Liberatore, S. Davidson, J. Dolan, A. Naughton, M. Kennedy, L. Vandermeer, S. Darcy, J. Harmes, T. English, R. Sanders, E. Richards, B. Khamis, H. Gallagher, L. McNeil, R. West & A. Jones

Collingwood Magpies: L. Gardner, J. Freijah, T. Duryea, L. Bramble, R. Lobb, B. Dale, B. Williams, T. Liberatore, S. Davidson, J. Dolan, A. Naughton, M. Kennedy, L. Vandermeer, S. Darcy, J. Harmes, T. English, R. Sanders, E. Richards, B. Khamis, H. Gallagher, L. McNeil, R. West & A. Jones

The Bombers played well despite going down to the Hawks in their first match of the 2025 season. Meanwhile, the Crows make their first trip to Melbourne for the season after a win at Adelaide Oval against the Saints last time out. The Bombers lose Jordan Ridley (concussion) and Kyle Langford (hamstring) for this clash.

The midfield group of the Crows has improved significantly and it is certainly more dynamic than we have previously seen. Consistency always seems to impact the Crows, so I think this one could be close and with the odds the way they are, I’m taking a chance on the Bombers at home.

Bookmaker	Katherine’s Tip	Odds
	Bombers to win	$2.22
	Bombers to win	$2.25
	Bombers to win	$2.30

Predicted Squads

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

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

What a win by the Richmond Tigers last round! The question on many people’s lips is; can they do it again? On the flip side, the Power are coming into this after getting their you-know-what served on a platter, losing by almost 100 points to the Magpies. Playing in Adelaide will come in handy for the Power.

I think it will be goals galore for the Power, in particular, with an undersized defensive unit. This means the likes of Mitch Georgiades can take advantage and I think Georgiades is in for a big game. He was goalless last game, so he’ll be hungry to make up for that in this game.

Bookmaker	Katherine’s Tip	Odds
	Over points - 173.5	$1.86
	Mitch Georgiades 3+ goals	$2.90
	Mitch Georgiades 3+ goals	$2.02

Predicted Squads

Port Adelaide Power: J. Finlayson, A. Aliir, M. Bergman, E. Ratugolea, J. Finlayson, K. Farrell, J. Burgoyne, C. Rozee, J. Mead, W. Drew, M. Georgiades, W. Rioli, D. Byrne-Jones, J. Lukosius, J. Richards, J. Sweet, J. Horne-Francis, S. Powell-Pepper, J. Berry, J. Sinn, T. Boak, O. Wines & R. Burton

Richmond Tigers: J. Blight, B. Miller, N. Broad, J. Short, N. Vlastuin, L. Trainor, S. Banks, K. McIntosh, J. Trezise, R. Mansell, S. Campbell, S. Green, J. Bauer, T. Lynch, S. Lalor, T. Nankervis, T. Taranto, J. Hopper, T. Brown, T. Dow, J. Ross, H. Armstrong & T. Sonsie

Not a lot is expected of the Saints and they lived up to this “expectation” after going down to the Crows in their first game of the season. The Cats, on the other hand, got a nice win against the Dockers to kick their season off to the best possible start. It’s unlikely that we will see many, if any, changes on the Cats' side of things.

Their form from their first game is likely to carry on into this clash, so another win is certainly on the cards. There’s a lot that is going wrong for the Saints and it’s going to take more than one week to fix that. The bookies are being quite generous with their line for the Cats. Take it while you can!

Bookmaker	Katherine’s Tip	Odds
	Cats -23.5	$1.88
	Cats -23.5	$1.91
	Cats -23.5	$1.90

Predicted Squads

St Kilda Saints: C. Wilkie, Z. Cordy, J. Webster, M. Owens, N. Wanganeen-Milera, R. Byrnes, B. Hill, J. Sinclair, M. Wood, H. Garcia, M. Windhager, M. King, D. Wilson, R. Marshall, J. Higgins, H. Boyd, J. Macrae, J. Steele, Z. Jones, A. Hastie, A. Caminiti, A. Schoenmaker & H. Clark

Geelong Cats: C. O’Sullivan, J. Henry, M. Blicavs, Z. Guthrie, T. Stewart, L. Humphries, B. Smith, M. Holmes, O. Dempsey, B. Close, G. Miers, T. Stengle, S. Neale, J. Cameron, P. Dangerfield, S. De Koning, T. Atkins, J. Bowes, O. Mullin, M. O’Connor, O. Henry, M. Knevitt & J. Clark

The Lions handed the Swans their second loss in as many games, getting the win on the road. It was a narrow come-from-behind win that should bode well for them again when they finally play at the Gabba. The bookies are expecting an absolute blowout here, but remember what happened with the Tigers last round?

The Eagles, on the other hand, offered up a lacklustre performance against the Suns, letting in 20 goals (to just seven of their own). I think the Lions will be looking to put on a show for their home crowd, so look for them to kick a whole stack of goals. The Eagles will fight, but I don’t think they will get close.

Bookmaker	Katherine’s Tip	Odds
	Lions -60.5	$1.88
	Lions points - Over 117.5	$1.89
	Lions -58.5	$1.90

Predicted Squads

Brisbane Lions: D. Zorko, J. Payne, R. Lester, N. Answerth, H. Andrews, D. Wilmot, J. Fletcher, Z. Bailey, J. Berry, C. Ah Chee, E. Hipwood, H. McCluggage, C. Rayner, L. Morris, C. Cameron, O. McInerney, J. Dunkley, L. Neale, W. Ashcroft, D. Gardiner, D. Fort, D. Joyce & C. McKenna

West Coast Eagles: R. Ginbey, H. Edwards, B. Hough, T. Cole, J. McGovern, L. Baker, J. Hunt, T. Kelly, L. Duggan, J. Graham, B. Williams, J. Cripps, M. Owies, O. Allen, A. Reid, M. Flynn, J. Hutchinson, H. Reid, E. Hewett, T. Brockman, N. Long, T. Dewar & L. Ryan

Two teams that both suffered a loss in their opening game of the 2025 season will obviously be looking to chalk up their first win. Neither loss was a blowout, so they should come into this one with their heads held high. The Giants were a difficult task for the Demons first up, but things should be easier for them this time out.

All six club debutants for the Demons played well and fought the good fight. I think the Demons have a little more depth and it’s unlikely they will make any changes from their previous game. The Kangaroos, on the other hand, will see at least two changes with Griffin Logue (hamstring) and Jackson Archer (suspension) not playing.

Bookmaker	Katherine’s Tip	Odds
	Demons -18.5	$1.87
	Demons -19.5	$1.91
	Demons -19.5	$1.90

Predicted Squads

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

Melbourne Demons: H. Petty, T. McDonald, C. Salem, B. Howes, J. Lever, J. Bowey, E. Langdon, C. Petracca, C. Windsor, J. Viney, M. Jefferson, T. Sparrow, B. Fritsch, J. van Rooyen, K. Chandler, M. Gawn, C. Oliver, T. Rivers, X. Lindsay, H. Sharp, A. Johnson, J. Henderson & H. Langford

It may be only Round 2, but the alarm bells should already be sounding for the Swans, who come into this one 0-2 and desperate for a win. It won’t be easy though, as they play the Dockers on the road. The Dockers will be looking to bounce back after getting thumped by the Cats in Geelong.

The stakes are high, so will the cream rise to the top? It’s a difficult one to pick if I’m being honest. I don’t really like the look of either of them. Desperation fills the air and I’m liking the Swans a lot less than I did before the season started. But out of the two teams, it looks like the Swans are closer to putting in a winning performance.

Bookmaker	Katherine’s Tip	Odds
	Swans to win	$2.20
	Swans to win	$2.30
	Swans to win	$2.30

Predicted Squads

Fremantle Dockers: B. Cox, A. Pearce, J. Draper, L. Ryan, B. Walker, J. Clark, N. O’Driscoll, J. O’Meara, J. Sharp, M. Reid, M. Frederick, M. Walters, L. Jackson, J. Treacy, J. Amiss, S. Bolton, C. Serong, A. Brayshaw, B. Banfield, M. Johnson, K. Worner, C. Wagner & H. Chapman

Sydney Swans: N. Blakey, L. Melican, S. Wicks, M. Roberts, D. Rampe, B. Paton, J. Lloyd, I. Heeney, C. Mitchell, B. Campbell, T. McCartin, T. Papley, W. Hayward, J. Amartey, J. Jordon, B. Grundy, Ch. Warner, J. Rowbottom, O. Florent, J. Hamling, Co. Warner & T. Hanily, R. Bice

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