AFL ladder predictions: Round 3

My Round 2 predictions proved to have some close exciting games along with an upset or two.

2018 non-finalists Essendon and Adelaide sat in the top four at the completion of Round 2 which proved to be a shock to some. Sydney, GWS, and Geelong sitting in the bottom six was also a shock to many regular readers of my articles on The Roar.

Adelaide vs Geelong
The third round of the season kicks off with Adelaide and Geelong in Adelaide. Geelong are always a chance with the amount of great talent they have on their list, however; the Crows will be too powerful for the Cats at home.

Prediction – Adelaide by 29 points

Melbourne vs Essendon
A much-hyped clash between the exciting Demons and Bombers will feature on this Friday night. I have predicted both the Dees and Bombers to kick off the season and be undefeated after two rounds, and one teams two game winning streak will come to an end.

I tip that the mighty red and blue will beat the red sash.

Prediction – Melbourne by 22 points

Carlton vs Sydney
Lock it in, Sydney’s first predicted win of 2019 in Round 3 over the Navy Blues. I can’t see the Blues even challenging the bloods in this game. Expect the Swans to win this one by at least 40 points at Marvel Stadium.

Prediction – Sydney by 43 points

The Swans celebrate a win. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

GWS Giants vs Richmond
Richmond’s poor record interstate during the 2018 season was shown against multiple teams, with their only interstate win coming against the Suns at Metricon Stadium.

Despite this record, I believe that the yellow and black will get the job done against the Giants at Spotless Stadium.

Prediction – Richmond by 19 points

Brisbane vs Port Adelaide
This one isn’t as hyped up as the Friday night Melbourne v Essendon, however; last time these two teams clashed, Port Adelaide won in a tight one by 5 points. Expect another close one, with the Lions getting a win over the Power.

Prediction – Brisbane by 4 points

Collingwood vs West Coast
Ladies and gentlemen, we have a mouth-watering clash set for Saturday night of Round 3. This game be the first time the Pies and the Eagles face off against each other for the first time since West Coast beat Collingwood by 5 points as a result of Jeremy McGovern and Dom Sheed heroics in the final two minutes of the match.

It will also be Andrew Gaff’s expected return game, with it set to be Gaff’s first game since the Western Derby last season where he received a ban of eight games for a strike to Andrew Brayshaw’s jaw.

Prediction – Collingwood by 20 points

Western Bulldogs vs Gold Coast
I predicted that the Dogs will lose to the Hawks in Round 2 following a win over the Swans to open the season. I can’t see the red, white, and blue dropping this one to the Suns at Marvel Stadium and get their second win on the board.

Prediction – Western Bulldogs by 30 points

Hawthorn vs North Melbourne
Both teams sit with a predicted 1-1 record after two rounds. Both of Hawthorn and North Melbourne went on a recruiting spree in the trade period, and one will slump to a 1-2 record while the other will rise to a 2-1 record.

Prediction – North Melbourne by 24 points

Paul Ahern of the Kangaroos (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Fremantle vs St Kilda
The Saints were predicted to be brought back to Earth by the Bombers after demolishing the Suns by over 50 points in Round 1.

With the Saints average defence and the Dockers improved attack, I can’t see the Saints beating the Dockers.

Prediction – Fremantle by 28 points

Predicted ladder after Round 3
1. Adelaide – 3-0
2. Melbourne – 3-0
3. Collingwood – 3-0
4. Essendon – 2-1
5. Richmond – 2-1
6. Fremantle – 2-1
7. West Coast – 2-1
8. North Melbourne – 2-1
9. Western Bulldogs – 2-1
10. Brisbane – 2-1
11. Port Adelaide – 1-2
12. Sydney – 1-2
13. St Kilda – 1-2
14. Hawthorn – 1-2
15. GWS Giants – 0-3
16. Geelong – 0-3
17. Gold Coast – 0-3
18. Carlton – 0-3

Only three teams are left with an undefeated record after three rounds, with Essendon and West Coast losing their first game of the season.

The reigning premiers drop out of the top four in favour of reigning runners-up Collingwood. Both of the Giants and the Cats look in average position following Round 3, with none of them being predicted to win a game thus far.

The Swans get their first win of the season over an average Blues, and hopefully for Swans fans, it kicks off a string of consecutive wins.

That’s my Round 3 predictions and predicted ladder after Round 3. Keep an eye out for Round 4 predictions.