*See Round 1 2011 Tips Here
Round one of the 2010 AFL season is upon us and footy tipping will be very tough this year with the gap between the top four clubs shortening in what could be a very 
interesting year. Once again the team at Sportsbet Blog will give you our expert tips for every round this year along with a few good betting tips along the way.
It’s always hard to tip round 1 as so much can change during the off season but luckily I predict a fairly straight forward round.
The game of round 1 is defiantly the Western Bulldogs V Collingwood. Both teams have recruited well over the summer with the Bulldogs picking up the “Big Bad” Barry Hall who has shown what the year could bring booting 7 fine goals last week in the NAB Cup grand final. Collingwood had picked up ex St Kilda captain Luke Ball who has impressed in the preseason games and star ruckman Darren Jolly who at his 3rd club has be chosen in the Pies leadership group this year. It will be interesting how the new players go this week and should make for a very interesting game.
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Best Bet for Round 1
This week I like Adelaide for the straight win. With odds of $1.78 at Sportsbet, I think there plenty of value to be had especially against the weaker Freo side.
Richmond V Carlton Thursday Night at the MCG
Tip: Carlton
Carlton: $1.45
Richmond: $2.80
The season opener should see Carlton get a early win on the board. Richmond looks like they may have another tough year starting at round one.
They will be without the important Jake King after being suspended during a NAB Challenge match against Collingwood last week (why get worked up in a preseason game!). Also the one and only Ben Cousins who isn’t 100% after being admitted to the hospital with gastric inflammation will not at his best.
Geelong V Essendon Friday Night at the MCG
Tip: Geelong
Geelong: $1.23
Essendon: $4.25
The Cats should roll the Bombers on Friday night. Essendon will have to make up for Leroy Jetta (Hand Injury) and Michael Hurley (Club Suspended) both will be out with Hurley to miss the first 3 rounds after a drunken incident in the Grand Final week last year.
Geelong should be at full strength and will be out to start off on a good note after a early drop out from the NAB Cup.
Melbourne V Hawthorn Saturday at the MCG
Tip: Hawthorn
Melbourne: $5.20
Hawthorn: $1.16
Unfortunately it could be history repeating itself for the Hawks with numerous injuries leading into the season proper. They should be able to hold Melbourne off this week but will take alot of perseverance from the Hawthorn midfield.
The Hawks will be without Buddy Franklin, Cyril Rioli, Simon Taylor (long term) and clouds of doubt over Jarryd Roughhead and Glen Moss who will be 50/50 to play. Wayde Skipper has also been rubbed out for six to eight weeks with a damaged hamstring.
That being said I think they will regroup and beat Melbourne who are still in rebuilding stages.
Sydney V St Kilda Saturday Night at ANZ Stadium
Tip: St Kilda
Sydney: $2.70
St Kilda: $1.48
The Saints play well against Sydney and have a good record at ANZ Stadium. Last year (round 1) St Kilda kept Sydney goalless for 2 quarters of footy at ANZ stadium to run out 15 point winners in a low scoring game.
It will be interesting if the Saints will bounce back to their normal 2009 self after a lackluster NAB Cup series winning 2 games by a point (one of them against Sydney) and getting thrashed by the Bulldogs in the final.
The game will be won in Sydney’s forward line. With two of their top 5 goal kickers from last year in Hall and Jolly leaving the Swans players like Jesse White will have to step up and try and break the usually solid Saints back line.
Brisbane Lions V West Coast Saturday Night at the GABBA
Tip: Brisbane Lions
Brisbane: $1.36
West Coast: $3.20
The Lions, with their new look team and new “Paddle Pop Lion” logo will be one to watch this year if they can stick to the game plans and gel together. Brisbane now boast the most powerful forward line with Brendan Fevola and Jonathon Brown which should see them easily take care of West Coast at the Gabba on Saturday night.
Players like defender Josh Drummond and Justin Sherman have both had great preseasons and will be ones to watch.
Port Adelaide V North Melbourne Sunday at AMMI Stadium
Tip: Port Adelaide
Port Adelaide: $1.45
North Melbourne: $2.80
After an impressive NAB Cup campaign I expect big things from Port this year starting with the Kangaroos on Sunday.
Port impressed in their narrow loss to the Bulldogs a few weeks ago with Daniel Motlop and Justin Westhoff the shining light. They were on top of the Bulldogs for 90% of the game and if they can replicate the flare they played with they should run out easy victors over North Melbourne who will be with out Cruize Garlett, Majak Daw, Levi Greenwood and Ed Lower.
Western Bulldogs V Collingwood Sunday at Etihad Stadium
Tip: Western Bulldogs
Western Bulldogs: $1.64
Collingwood: $2.30
This weeks match of the round will attract a massive crowd and should be a great contest. Both teams are expected to do well this year and Collingwood will be out to knock off the NAB Cup winners and get off to a positive start.
I don’t think they can do it. The Bulldogs now have Barry Hall, the goto man and my Coleman Medal winner prediction. They look to be a near perfect side with the run through the middle and strength and height at either end. My prediction is for the Bulldogs to win by around 28 points.
Keep an eye out for Luke Ball for the Pies, he will be out to impress with his new club. He has racked up the possessions and kicked a few goals in the preseason cup.
Fremantle V Adelaide Sunday at Subiaco Oval
Tip: Adelaide
Fremantle: $2.00
Adelaide: $1.83
Adelaide haven’t had the best start into round one with numerous injuries to their senior players. Vince, McLeod, Burton, Edward, Thompson, Maric and Sellar have all had limited match time over the last few weeks but all are expect to play against Freo on Sunday afternoon.
I really can’t see where Freo could win this match, they are a young side who are still growing and will struggle with the skills of the Crows side. Good luck to coach Mark Harvey in what could be his last year at Freo with his contract running out at the end of the year.
In an Australian cricket first, leading online bookmaker sportsbet has declared the 2010/11 Ashes Series over and has paid out all bets totaling more than $400,000 on England to not only retain the Ashes, but to win the series after Day One of the Third Test in Perth.
