The predicted ladder after Round 1 proved to be quite an interesting start to predictions, with the Saints topping the ladder with me predicting that they demolish the Suns at Marvel Stadium.
Another interesting point was that none of Geelong, Sydney, GWS, or Hawthorn finished inside the top eight after the first round. Let’s see what my Round 2 predictions will do to the ladder.
Richmond v Collingwood
These two teams meet each other for the first time since the preliminary final where Collingwood upset the Tigers and bringing an end to their 22-game winning streak at the MCG.
The clashes between these two big clubs are always intriguing regardless of ladder position, and no doubt the Tigers will be looking for redemption.
Prediction – Collingwood by 2 points
Sydney v Adelaide
The Swans host the Crows in their first home game of the season. The Swans have a history of struggling early in the season, and if the Crows return to 2017 form, I can’t see the ageing Swans beating the visitors.
Prediction – Adelaide by 21 points
Lance Franklin of the Swans(Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Essendon v St Kilda
Both of these teams were predicted to beat their opponents of GWS and Gold Coast respectively in Round 1. The Saints finished the round on top of the ladder, however the Bombers would be too strong for the Saints who get a taste of their own medicine from the Bombers.
Prediction – Essendon by 51 points
Port Adelaide v Carlton
The Power will be back in Adelaide, however; will be coming off a loss to the Dees at the home of football.
The Blues went down to the mighty Tigers by 43 points, and it looks like it could get worse for them with a demolition job by the Power.
Prediction – Port Adelaide by 62 points
Geelong v Melbourne
The Cats broke Demons fans hearts twice, beating them by less than a goal in their two clashes during the home-and-away season. It made the elimination final more so intriguing to many football fans in the Dees return to finals after twelve years, with the mighty red and blue beating the Cats when it mattered most.
Expect another brilliant clash between these two sides.
Prediction – Melbourne by 26 points
West Coast v GWS Giants
The Eagles will unveil their premiership flag to their supporters at Optus Stadium in this game. It will be the first time since 2015 that the two grand finalists from the previous season will not play each other in the second round of the new season.
This one has potential to be a close nail biter from start to finish, however; I think the Eagles will win by a fair margin for their fans in their first home game of the season.
Prediction – West Coast by 21 points
Willie Rioli of the Eagles (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Media/Getty Images)
North Melbourne v Brisbane
North Melbourne will play their first home game at Docklands under the naming rights of Marvel.
Most would expect the Roos to win this one, however; I see an upset in the making here, and I believe the Lions will get up and clinch their first win of the season.
Prediction – Brisbane by 14 points
Hawthorn v Western Bulldogs
The last time these two teams played, the Hawks blew the Dogs out of the water after half-time and won by just over ten goals.
This game could possibly be Taylor Duryea’s first game against the team that he won two premierships with. I’m predicting this one will be a lot closer than the last time they faced off.
Prediction – Hawthorn by 24 points
Gold Coast v Fremantle
Look away Suns fans. Yes, it’s the Suns home game, and yes, their opponent is a defence-focussed Fremantle.
However; they have Jesse Hogan and Rory Lobb as offensive weapons, and if either of them get on the loose, it won’t be pretty for the Suns.
Prediction – Fremantle by 41 points
Predicted ladder after Round 2
1. Essendon – 2-0
2. Melbourne – 2-0
3. Adelaide – 2-0
4. West Coast – 2-0
5. Collingwood – 2-0
6. Port Adelaide – 1-1
7. Richmond – 1-1
8. Fremantle – 1-1
9. North Melbourne – 1-1
10. St Kilda – 1-1
11. Hawthorn – 1-1
12. Brisbane – 1-1
13. Western Bulldogs – 1-1
14. Sydney – 0-2
15. GWS Giants – 0-2
16. Geelong – 0-2
17. Gold Coast – 0-2
18. Carlton – 0-2
A big talking point of the first two rounds of predictions is Essendon and Adelaide both being undefeated after two games.
It’s not too far into the season and both could fall out in a couple of slip-ups. Gold Coast won three straight games to open 2016 then went on a ten-game losing streak. St Kilda were predicted to be brought back to Earth by the Bombers and go from first to tenth.
Hawthorn and the young Lions were predicted to get their first two wins of the season over the Dogs and North Melbourne respectively. All of Sydney, GWS, and Geelong are still yet to get a win on the board along with Gold Coast and Carlton.
That’s my Round 2 predictions and predicted ladder after Round 2. Keep an eye out for Round 3.
Ravi
Roar Rookie
He did call it an upset, so it should be unexpected - and I think Brisbane could be a bolter in '19
Paul D
Roar Guru
Yeah I can't see us beating Norf in melbourne either
Angela
Guest
Hear, hear...'ageing swans'? Go and have another look Conor. Doubt the average age is older than most other teams. Swans seem to be flying under the banner. They (and the Hawks) might give everyone a big surprise in 2019. And, as 6X6 has noted below, our 'older' (thus more experienced players) have plenty to offer.
Jakarta Fan
Roar Rookie
A bit optimistic! However it would not surprise if Richmond win but by a lot closer margin. The question is, have the Magpies really learned how to break through the Tiger lines? If they have, then Richmond could be fighting to keep in the Top 4 as other teams will learn from what the Woods have done.
Jakarta Fan
Roar Rookie
Conor, with so little football happenings at the moment, it is enjoyable to follow your column. Keep it up. However, not so sure you have it right with Brisbane beating the Kangaroos. The Roos will be a stronger unit this year with the additions they have made and since the game is in Melbourne, I can't see the Lions getting up. If it was in Brisbane you may have swayed me. Thanks mate!
Kandeepan Arul
Roar Rookie
Not too sure about your upset. From memory Kangaroos play well at Marvel stadium. They led the hawks by 50 pts at half time and not too far from Richmond when they played them at Marvel.
Conor
Roar Guru
The Swans are away round 1, at home in round 2. The Crows are at home round 1, away round 2. And they are that way in the articles and on the official AFL fixture.
Won’t matter - swans are at home (would have thought the author may checked this detail so now has rounds 1 AND 2 incorrect with ground advantage (crows home in rnd1 - away rnd 2
Barry Round
Guest
Hmme...re Swans - beginning to sound like really good list management, yet again! Reg has at least a year left in him, Jarrod McVeigh the same probably, Buddy had _better_ have two or three! Ditto Kennedy. Lots of promising youth. If Mr. Glass (Sam Reid) can have an injury free year good things beckon. Salary cap looking much better also! Will always miss Gary Rohan though.
big four sticks
Guest
With the twin towers firing on all cylinders, and Caddy helping out Dusty in the engine room, the mighty Tigers will be far too powerful for Collingwood. Richmond by 35 points.
User
Roar Rookie
Maybe he is referring to Grundy, McVeigh, buddy and Kennedy still being critical for them, just a thought.
XI
Roar Guru
"ageing Swans"? Isn't like half their main team barely in their 20s?
macca
Guest
How do the swans have a history of starting the season poorly? Since 2012 the swans have only once had a less than 50% win rate by round six - 0w 6L (0% 2017). Once 3W 3L ( 50% - 2014) once 4W 2L (66.6% - 2018) and three times 5W 1L (83.3% - 2012,2013 & 2016). Only in 2 of those seven years did the swans lose the first round and only 3 times in the second. If you really wanted to pick a round the swans have recently been poor in the early rounds, it would be round 4 where the swans have only won 2 out of 7 games.