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Swans Look for Grand Final Revenge in Etihad Blockbuster

Like so many first rounds before it, the opening week of the AFL season contained its share of surprises.

Who would have thought that Port Adelaide might humble the Swans on their own turf in Sydney. The South Australians have been a disappointing team for the past few seasons, but maybe they have turned things around this time, or did they merely catch the slow starting Swans at the right time?

Essendon played on heart, desire and a desperate determination to make a statement when they saw off the Hawks at the MCG last Saturday night.

But was that a one off, players lifted by the hype and emotion of the occasion, or is it a harbinger of things to come for the red and black, who would love to confound the doubters and hit the headlines this season for the right reasons.

Premiers the Bulldogs were workmanlike in their win over Collingwood, while Adelaide made a statement of intent with their solid success over Greater Western Sydney.

Richmond, as they did in round one when they saw off Carlton, get proceedings underway on Thursday night at the MCG when they take on Collingwood.

The Tigers are the team that invariably flatter to deceive, but at $2.15 with Bet 365 and $2.16 with Betfair fixed odds they might be at a decent price to see off an odds-on Collingwood. The Magpies did well against the Premiers, but can they do so again? Average odds of $1.77 doesn’t look that tempting.

Can Swans Get Revenge?

Friday night sees a Grand Final rematch, with the Bulldogs hosting the Swans at Etihad Stadium.

The Doggies are $1.58 ((Bet 365), but the Swans might be the value here at $2.50 with Unibet. Yes, they were beaten in the title decider and yes, they will have to be better than last week. But John Longmire’s team don’t often lose two in a row.

Lions to Upset Bomber Bandwagon?

Elsewhere the Brisbane Lions, at $3.10 Unibet and $3.30 with Betfair fixed look over the odds against an Essendon team priced up at a general $1.40 (Sportsbet, Bet 365).

The Lions held on to win narrowly in a nerve-jangling finale against Gold Coast last weekend, but they will take plenty from that rare success. The Bombers will be buoyed by their win over the Hawks, but they effectively had a year to prepare for that and it was an emotional crescendo for them.

Can they back up again a week later? I am not so sure, certainly at the price on offer.

Five Bankers for Multi Bettors

It’s hard to see West Coast, at $1.17 (Bet 365) slipping up against Saint Kilda.

Value might be had in Hawthorn. Beaten by a pumped up Essendon last week, they have the chance to bounce back against decent opposition in the Crows. At $2.30 (Sportsbet) they might be worth a nibble.

GWS are in the same category as West Coast when they face Gold Coast at home. The latter are at $6.40 with Betfair fixed odds, and some might argue they should be longer.

Geelong, Melbourne and Port Adelaide are all favourites to get the job done at home and should do so, so definitely teams for multi punters looking to swell their take out.

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