A far too long preseason is finally over… it’s time for Round 1, and the first expert tips column of the year.
This year our tipping panel is an all-star team featuring myself, expert writers Adrian Polykandrites and Cam Rose, and representing the right-hand side of The Roar, TomC.
But you can get involved too. Submit your tips in the form at the end of this article and we’ll count up the crowd’s pick for each game.
The season kicks off tonight with the reigning premiers Richmond going up against Carlton in what has become a tradition opening round fixture.
Carlton were impressive this preseason – but not impressive enough to suggest that an upset is on the cards here. Tigers should win in a canter.
Friday night is a tough one to pick, both Adelaide and Essendon have good reason to be bullish about their prospects this year. I’ll stick with the favourite and go the Crows.
I would fancy Brisbane’s chances of surprising St Kilda if the game were being played in Queensland – it’s not, so I’ll be tipping the Saints.
Port Adelaide would look like clear favourites against Fremantle but I’ve got a feeling that with Robbie Gray banned this one could be the upset of the week. Dockers for me.
As a North fan, safe to say I’m a bit worried about Saturday night’s match in Cairns. Gold Coast might not be all that good, but they are hungry. I’ll still tip my Roos to get over the line in a close one.
Collingwood will be missing three of their most dynamic players in Daniel Wells, Alex Fasolo and Jamie Elliott for their game against Hawthorn. Tipping the Hawks.
It’s hard not to see the Giants tearing the Bulldogs’ inexperienced backline to shreds on Sunday afternoon in Canberra.
Melbourne vs Geelong looms as being the match of the round, and probably the hardest to tip given the lack of surety regarding Patrick Dangerfield and Gary Ablett.
The balance of probability lies in favour of at least one of them missing if not both, and that puts the advantage in Melbourne’s favour.
To close out the round, you’d have to think Sydney will be too good for West Coast, in one of the few seemingly straightforward tips this week.
As for my traditional lock of the week, I’ll double down on the Tigers starting their season with a win tonight.
Adrian Polykandrites
Richmond, Essendon, St Kilda, Port Adelaide, North Melbourne, Hawthorn, GWS, Melbourne, Sydney
It will be interesting to see how the Blues’ bolder attitude holds up against the ruthless Tigers. I expect Richmond to win fairly comfortably, but Carlton intrigue me.
Bombers vs Crows is one of the two most interesting games of the round. I’m tipping the Bombers in a close one but reserve the right to change my mind before the Friday Night Forecast is delivered.
Port Adelaide should make light work of the Dockers and if the Saints are serious they shouldn’t have much trouble with the Lions at Etihad.
Hawthorn-Collingwood could trigger the biggest overreaction of the weekend regardless of the result – you can toss a coin for that one.
I expect the Roos to be too mature for the Suns and the Swans to eke out a win in Perth, though I’m not as convinced the Eagles will be as poor this season as others.
The Dogs have huge holes in their defence and are experimenting with their healthy best defender in the forward line, where they have no forwards. That sounds like a recipe for disaster against Jon Patton, Jeremy Cameron and Toby Greene.
Melbourne vs Geelong looks like a cracker and the perfect early test for the Demons. Hard to make a tip until we know what’s up with the Cats’ stars, but I like the Dees in a close one.
Cameron Rose
Richmond, Adelaide, St Kilda, Port Adelaide, Gold Coast, Collingwood, GWS, Melbourne, Sydney
Can’t tip against the Tiges to open the season, but the Blues won’t make it easy.
Sticking with Adelaide as one of the best sides in the comp until further notice, but have a niggling concern about their pre-season. Should be a cracker against Essendon.
Saturday is a little underwhelming, with St Kilda, Port and Gold Coast to make the most of their home ground advantage (or home state in the case of the Suns). Hawthorn vs Collingwood shapes as a fascinating clash between two middling sides from last year. Pies for me.
Sunday is full of riches. Greater Western Sydney and the Western Bulldogs resume one of the most bitter rivalries in football. Have to go with the Giants to have too many forward options for a Dogs line-up that looks bereft of them.
Geelong and Melbourne earns match of the round status. The Dees can plant a stake in the ground for their ambitions this season, while the Cats are hoping to strike fear into the competition with their midfield triumvirate of champions. Melbourne, just, at the MCG.
Sydney will be too good for West Coast to round out the first round, even in Perth.
TomC
Richmond, Adelaide, St Kilda, Port Adelaide, North Melbourne, Hawthorn, GWS, Geelong, Sydney
The opening round looks tough for tipsters, with a number of tight contests.
I like Essendon’s chances this year, but it might take some time to hit top form with their new recruits and developing youngsters, so I’m backing the proven Crows against them.
Gold Coast have shown some good signs in the pre-season, but are once again dealing with injury concerns. It’s tight, but I’ll back the more settled North Melbourne in what might be a wet slog up at Cairns.
Hawthorn and Collingwood look fairly even on paper, but I’m leaning towards the Hawks to start the year better after another seemingly difficult pre-season for the Magpies.
Melbourne and Geelong are at even money as I type this. Frankly, whether or not Dangerfield plays, something we won’t know possibly until the day itself, is enough to turn my tip. On balance though, I’ll back the Cats; they might find the going tough this season against the most powerful attacking teams but they can contain the Demons.
West Coast have been largely written off in 2018, while Sydney are expected to challenge for the flag once more. I’m not sure about either of those things, but I’m not brave enough to back the Eagles after their ordinary pre-season, so I’ll tip the Swans.
Elsewhere, Richmond to have too much experience for Carlton, St Kilda too strong at the contest for Brisbane, Port Adelaide to flex their muscles against Fremantle, and GWS to keep fortress Canberra intact against the Bulldogs.
| Round 1 | Josh E | Adrian P | Cam R | TomC | The Crowd |
| RIC vs CAR | RIC | RIC | RIC | RIC | RIC |
| ESS vs ADE | ADE | ESS | ADE | ADE | ADE |
| STK vs BRI | STK | STK | STK | STK | STK |
| PA vs FRE | FRE | PA | PA | PA | PA |
| GCS vs NM | NM | NM | GCS | NM | GCS |
| HAW vs COL | HAW | HAW | COL | HAW | HAW |
| GWS vs WB | GWS | GWS | GWS | GWS | GWS |
| MEL vs GEE | MEL | MEL | MEL | GEE | GEE |
| WCE vs SYD | SYD | SYD | SYD | SYD | SYD |
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