The Roos were dealt the short straw facing GWS in Sydney first up but should be far more competitive against the Dockers at Marvel on Saturday afternoon.
Best Bet
This looks a good match-up for the young Kangaroos.
Despite going down to the flag favourite Giants by 39 points last week, there were positives to take out of the performance. The Roos actually won the clearance battle, finishing +5 in overall clearances and +6 out of the middle.
Where North got destroyed was on turnover, with the Giants’ ultra-slick ball movement setting up 14 more inside 50s and a enormous 25-9 margin for marks inside 50, resulting in too many easy goals to Hogan, Riccardi, Cadman and Brown.
Ball movement hasn’t been Freo’s strength under Longmuir, and despite a concerted effort last week against an out-of-sorts Lions to move the pill quicker, it’s still a work in progress. And the Dockers’ young key forwards, while talented, aren’t yet at the standard to really dominate North’s inexperienced backline.
The injuries are also stacking up for the Dockers, with Brennan Cox and Oscar McDonald joining arguably the league’s longest injury list. North, meanwhile, will welcome back some much needed experience with co-captains Luke McDonald and Jy Simpkin set to return.
The numbers are strong for a Kanga cover, clearing the line in nine of their last ten at Marvel and their last five overall.
The Roos are still a bad football team, but they are at least a more competitive one now, and they should at least keep within a few goals of the Dockers here.
Same Game Multi
Serong started off his year in spectacular style, amassing 46 touches against the Lions. North don’t have a regular tagger so he should have another big game.
LDU has had 25+ in seven straight games while Brayshaw has done the same in his last 17.
Despite limited opportunity, Larkey still slotted three last week – the fourth straight game he’s kicked 3+, while Amiss should pick up at least a couple after four last week.
Value Bet
Targeting North’s inexperienced key backs will be a theme all year, with Toby Pink and Kallan Dawson only having a handful of AFL experience between them.
Betseeker’s expert tipsters have you covered for the best AFL tips, predictions, same-game multis, and more, for each game of the 2024 AFL season.
