Round three of the 2023 AFL season sees some intriguing matchups, beginning on Thursday at Marvel Stadium between Western Bulldogs and Brisbane.
Collingwood face off against Richmond at the MCG, while Alastair Clarkson will take on his former side Hawthorn in Tasmania.
The Showdown and Derby are also set to take place this weekend, while undefeated sides St Kilda and Essendon do battle.
Sydney travel to Melbourne to take on the Demons in a compeliing clash, while Geelong and Carlton are tipped overcome the Suns and Giants respectively.
Here at The Sporting News, we've put together our betting predictions for round 3:
Odds courtesy of Bluebet.
Last week, we scored five of our nine predictions.
Cripps and Neale fell just shy of 30 disposals; Bontempelli failed to hit the scoreboard while the Giants didn't to win.
Western Bulldogs (17th) vs Brisbane (12th)
If any more spice needed to be added between these two clubs, then Josh Dunkley's move from the Western Bulldogs to Brisbane in the recent offseason will add some extra heat to this match.
There's been plenty of close games over the past few seasons and this shapes up to be a thriller to kick off round three.
The Dogs have been disappointing so far in 2023, failing to register a win, while the Lions managed to hold off Melbourne last week after the lights went out at the Gabba.
Dunkley's proven to be a big time player but hasn't had the impact he would have wanted at his new club.
Likely setting his sights on a huge game, the 2022 Bulldogs best-and-fairest winner will no doubt try assert himself on the contest at Marvel Stadium.
Josh Dunkley 25+ disposals - $1.60
Collingwood (4th) vs Richmond (6th)
Collingwood have become one of the most watchable sides in the competition and their first two rounds have been faultless.
Richmond - one of six undefeated sides - bounced back against Adelaide to record their first victory of 2023 in impressive fashion after drawing with Carlton.
Last year, Tom Lynch got a hold of Darcy Moore and the Pies to kick six match-winning goals.
However, the absence of Jayden Short, and potentially Jacob Hopper and Dustin Martin, does put a dampener on their hopes, despite Collingwood's incredible form.
Shai Bolton's quiet start by his standards has put initial questions over where he plays his best footy, reflected by his average of 3.5 score involvements a game.
Bolton must hit the scoreboard if the Tigers are a chance and could go a long way into kick-starting his own season.
Shai Bolton 2+ goals - $2
Hawthorn (18th) vs North Melbourne (5th)
There's so much to like about Saturday's match-up between these two clubs and the added off-field dramas at the end of the 2021 season that saw Clarkson be moved on further contributes to that fact.
Clarkson's shared history with Mitchell and Hawthorn goes back to 2004, but the manner of his departure will likely fuel a bit of feeling.
The Hawks' 2023 start has been as disappointing as they come, but the club has openly admitted it will suffer short-term pain for long-term gains.
The Kangaroos have shocked the AFL world, sitting 2-0 after downing West Australia sides West Coast and Fremantle by under a goal each.
Played in Tasmania, neither side is stranger to the conditions there, with North Melbourne starting as favourites in this grudge clash.
Luke Davies-Uniacke - who's polled 20 out of 20 coaches votes so far - has been a dominant figure in the blue-and-white stripes and will continue again this weekend.
'LDU' will capitalise on the inexperienced Hawthorn midfield and turn eyes once more following a brilliant individual performance.
Luke Davies-Uniacke 30+ disposals - $1.75
GWS (10th) vs Carlton (7th)
Carlton's impressive win over reigning premiers Geelong looks like being the catalyst for their 2023 season.
Despite winning by eight points, the Blues were in control most of the night and should've won by more.
GWS' opening fortnight should have their fans proud, although they split the first two games.
If Carlton are serious about their 2023 prospects, games like these should be put too bed relatively early.
Harry McKay and Charlie Curnow look near impossible to stop while the midfield brigade is finding their consistency throughout matches.
The defence - led by Jacob Weitering - is denying opposition attacks brilliantly, although Jeremy Cameron did get off the leash last week.
Coach Michael Voss must instill a killer instinct in his side and it should begin this weekend against the Giants.
Carlton to cover the -9.5 handicap - $1.90
St Kilda (2nd) vs Essendon (3rd)
No one would've picked these two sides to be sitting second and third but the new coaches have defied the odds.
If people thought St Kilda's victory against Fremantle was a fluke, then they were mistaken as the club backed it up the following week, smashing the Western Bulldogs by 51 points.
Essendon's wins - albeit against lowly sides - have come as a generally easier task but they've done what they have to.
The Saints injury list was once again extended, with captain Jack Steele sidelined with a broken collarbone, while the Bombers could add back some star power, such as Jake Stringer.
It's the 150th year of the St Kilda football club and this round three clash is in honour of their rich history, so expect Ross Lyon and his men to be fired up.
Where the game will be won is if the Saints can deny Essendon's goal-scoring ability. The Bombers kicked 35 majors in the opening two weeks while the Saints have conceded 12.
St Kilda to win - $1.70
Port Adelaide (11th) vs Adelaide (15th)
Everyone thought after round one, Port Adelaide were the real deal, but they failed a massive test, going down to the Pies by 71 points.
Adelaide - who internally believe they are pushing for finals - sit 0-2 after allowing opposition sides to put on strings of goals with ease.
Typically, the Showdowns usually provide plenty of entertainment as the cross-town rivals' dislike of each other comes to the forefront.
For the Power to take home the important four points, Connor Rozee is the likely candidate to break the game open.
Rozee - who won the Showdown Medal in round 23 last year - has been kept quiet thus far but rarely has a string of bad games.
The 2022 All-Australian is a proven match-winner and will stand up for his side this weekend.
Connor Rozee 25+ disposals - $2.10
Gold Coast (16th) vs Geelong (14th)
The reigning premiers have yet to register a win, which historically doesn't bode well for their finals chances.
However, as we know of Geelong, they are always around the mark and sat in a similar position last year before defying the critics, winning 16 straight and the 2022 flag.
On the other hand, Gold Coast have failed both their tests so far in disappointing fashion despite many tipsters having them in the eight when September rolls around.
Where we think this match will be won is on the left foot of Jeremy Cameron.
The former Giant is arguably the best player in the competition and he proved that last week when he slotted six goals from 25 disposals.
When Cameron is up and running, the Cats are hard to stop and if that's the case on Sunday, then expect Chris Scott to register his first victory of 2023.
Jeremy Cameron 3+ goals - (odds)
Melbourne (8th) vs Sydney (1st)
Last time these teams met, Sydney surprised the premiership favourites with a stirring qualifying final win at the MCG by 22 points. Can they do it again?
Melbourne will be without captain Max Gawn (MCL) for the next month, seeing all ruck responsibility fall on star recruit Brodie Grundy.
The Demons were outplayed by the Lions last week but were able to salvage some of their dignity after the lights went out and play resumed.
Although they lost, Simon Goodwin's men showed some positives but will know there is plenty to work on, especially through the midfield.
The Swans have been faultless so far but their first real test comes this weekend.
They took care of Gold Coast and Hawthorn but have yet to be challenged.
Like what Brisbane did, Sydney need to shut down the Demons' prime movers in order to give themselves their best chance to win.
Melbourne will welcome back Steven May and are hopeful the Clayton Oliver-Christian Petracca pairing can find some form for this crucial clash.
Christian Petracca 30+ disposal - (odds)
Fremantle (13th) vs West Coast (9th)
At the start of the year, every tipster would back Fremantle to win this clash comfortably.
However, a very slow start has questions being asked as nothing seems to be working.
A once struggling forward line continues to fail (17 goals in two games), while being downed by an undermanned and inexperienced side in the opening rounds screams lack of confidence.
West Coast are trying to start anew and coach Adam Simpson has made some positional shifts which worked against the Giants.
The Eagles have added speed and dare into the game play while visible buy-in from key players helps drag along the rest of the line-up.
The Dockers have won the last three encounters and would see this as a must-win game.
Simpson's men have nothing to lose so you know they'll throw everything at their cross-town rivals, leaving the answering up to Fremantle.
Fremantle to win - $1.45
