Round 2 see’s the debut of the new AFL franchise the Gold Coast Suns, they will be out to make a good showing and I think they may have the will power to create an upset. The game of 
round two is Sydney v Essendon in Sydney, both teams are playing a exciting brand of footy and with the up and coming Essendon being the bookie under-dogs for this match it should give us an idea how Essendon will hold up this year.
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St Kilda v Richmond Friday night at the MCG
Tip: St Kilda by 10 points
Odds: St Kilda 1.25 Richmond 4.00
Friday night at the G will pit the Reiwoldt boys trying to kick their respective teams to a winning score.
St Kilda didn’t put Geelong away early enough last week and paid the price in the last minute of the game, Richmond were brave in defeat against the Blues and again this week I can see them stretching the Saints but coming up just short yet again.
North Melbourne v Collingwood Saturday at Etihad Stadium
Tip: Collingwood by 55 points
Odds: North Melbourne 6.35 Collingwood 1.12
Collingwood showed in Round 1 why they are tipped to take out the 2011 flag with a dominant 75 point win over Port Adelaide and my prediction is round 2 to be the same.
North Melbourne was brave in defeat in Perth and will come out a bit slow and sore against the pies who have a day’s extra rest and the benefit of not having traveled in Round 1.
Port Adelaide v West Coast Saturday at AAMI Stadium
Tip: Port by 26 points
Odds: Port 1.47 West Coast 4.20
West Coast got there first win since Round 16 2010 in Round 1 and are in the 8 for the first time in a long time but don’t expect them to stay there.
The Power were good in patches against the pies and seems to be playing well for new coach Matthew Primus. The loss of All Australian Marc LeCras to a groin injury will hurt West Coast who will come up short at AAMI.
Gold Coast v Carlton Saturday night at the Gabba
Tip: Gold Coast by 8 points
Odds: Gold Coast 4.20 Carlton 1.23
History will be made Saturday night at the Gabba when the Gold Coast Football Club plays their first AFL game in.
Expect Gold Coast to come out wanting to prove that they belong in the AFL and will be a lot better than some expect in 2011. Carlton were a little flat last week against Richmond but stood up when it counted most to get the 4 points. The match up between Brownlow medalists Judd & Ablett will be one to watch out for. I think the new kids on the block can get up here just on adrenalin.
Fremantle v Geelong Saturday night at Patersons Stadium
Tip: Fremantle by 17 points
Odds: Fremantle 1.69 Geelong 2.18
A 1 point win the to Cats and a 2 point win to the Dockers in Round 1, doesn’t get much closer and I expect this game to be another close one.
Joel Selwood is highly unlikely to play for Geelong after a sickening blow against St Kilda last week while Freo will be out to show that they will be a hard team to beat in Perth once again this year. David Mundy showed his class last week against the Lions and Freo will need another solid performance from him and the likes of youngsters Fyfe, Lower & Hill to stop the Cats.
Western Bulldogs v Brisbane Sunday at Etihad Stadium
Tip: Bulldogs by 47 points
Odds: Western Bulldogs 1.13 Brisbane 6.00
The Lions were unlucky against Freo last week after injuries seen them down to 0 on the bench. A season ending injury to Brent Staker and Captain Jonathan Brown expected to miss 8 weeks makes for some tough times ahead for Brisbane.
The Bulldogs were very disappointing in Round 1 against a hot Bombers side. I expect Rodney Eade to put the dogs through a tough week on the track and they should easily get their first win of the season against the injury depleted Lions.
Sydney v Essendon Sunday at ANZ Stadium
Tip: Essendon by 9 points
Odds: Sydney 1.70 Essendon 2.15
ANZ Stadium will be a buzz on Sunday afternoon with the Bombers juganaught rolling into town.
Essendon were very impressive in there Round 1 55 point smashing of the dogs and sit top of the AFL Ladder. Sydney on the other hand let one slip against Melbourne to play out a Round 1 draw.
Goodes was relatively quiet against the Demons, expect him to play a good game. Watson, Hille & Stanton led by example for the bombers in Round 1 and should take that form and confidence up to Sydney and snatch the win in a tight one.
Hawthorn v Melbourne Sunday at the MCG
Tip: Hawks by 35 points
Odds: Hawks 1.40 Melbourne 2.97
The Hawks were disappointing in Round 1, letting a 30 point lead turn into a 20 point defeat. They need Franklin to fire up and kick straight against the Dees.
Melbourne’s fighting spirit seen them fight back and grab a draw in Round 1 and they will need all that spirit to match the Hawks. Expect to see Hodge back for Hawthorn to lead the team to their first win of the season.
