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NAB Challenge AFL Round 1 Betting Tips - Game-by-game guide to week 1 of AFL pre-season
AFL action returns this week when the NAB Challenge gets underway on Thursday night at Aurora Stadium in Launceston, where Hawthorn will be taking on Carlton in the first of six games for the weekend.
There will be plenty to look forward to for fans of all sides as we head into a fresh season.
Here is the Bettingpro.com.au preview of the opening week of the NAB Challenge action.
Thursday February 18 (7.10pm)
Hawthorn v Carlton at Aurora Stadium, Launceston
Hawthorn and Carlton finished at opposite ends of the ladder last year but there will be plenty of interest in the opening clash. We will see a stack of new names for the Blues, who have included the No. 1 draft pick from last year, Jacob Weitering, as well as Harry McKay and Charlie Curnow. Brendan Bolton makes his debut in the coaches’ box for the Blues, while Hawthorn will be using this to tinker with their lineup after a few off-season departures. However, the premiers will still be with 13 of their premiership players from 2015 and will be too strong for their inexperienced opposition.
Prediction: Hawthorn -31.5 ($1.91 bet365)
Friday February 19 (7.10pm)
Fremantle v Richmond at Rushton Park, Mandurah
The Fremantle Dockers and the Richmond Tigers meet at Mandurah, a venue that is about an hour south of Perth and it will be interesting to see how each side will structure up. The Dockers will be without Nathan Fyfe and their boom recruit, Harley Bennell, while Ross Lyon will be searching for the best replacement at fullback for Luke McPharlin, who retired at the end of last year. Richmond will be missing Chris Yarran, however, Daniel Rioli and Nathan Broad may pull on the yellow and black for the first time. This game should be a raffle but the Dockers may just get over the line, given they don’t have to travel as far.
Prediction: Fremantle H2H Win ($1.80 Sportsbet)
St Kilda v North Melbourne at Norm Minns Oval, Wangaratta (2.05pm)
The two Melbourne based sides make the two-hour trip up the Hume Highway and square off in what should be an interesting game at Wangaratta. The Saints host of young guns will have benefited from another pre-season but the Kangaroos are one of the leading contenders this year after making the Preliminary Final in 2015. Ex-Hawk, Jed Anderson, has reportedly been starring on the training track for the Roos, while Daniel Wells is raring to go after a long injury lay-off.
Prediction: North Melbourne H2H Win ($1.44 CrownBet)
Sydney v Port Adelaide at Blacktown International Sports Park (4.40pm)
The Sydney Swans kick off their 2016 campaign when they host Port Adelaide at Blacktown in Sydney’s west. This clash will immediately follow the St Kilda/North game. Lance Franklin is back for the Swans, while Port Adelaide will be looking to get off to a flyer in 2016 after slumping down the ladder last year. Untried youngster, Dougal Howard will be used in the ruck for the Power in the absence of Paddy Ryder, who will miss the season due to his part in the Essendon supplements saga.
Prediction: Port Adelaide H2H Win ($2.05 Palmerbet)
Adelaide v West Coast at Unley Oval (2.05pm)
The first of the Sunday games will feature two of the finalists from 2016 in the Adelaide Crows and the West Coast Eagles. The game marks the first for Crows new coach, and former West Coast premiership player, Don Pyke. The Eagles, who finished runner-up in 2015, will blood at least three debutants with the draftees, Matthew Allen, Luke Partington and Jordan Snadden, set to be named in the squad, while Eric Mackenzie and Mitch Brown return from injuries.
Prediction: Adelaide H2H Win ($1.78 bet365)
Brisbane v Gold Coast at Moreton Bay Central Sports Complex (4.40pm)
The final game of week 1 will be when the two Queensland based sides, Brisbane and the Gold Coast, go head to head at Moreton Bay, just north of Brisbane. Both clubs will be looking to put their disappointing 2015 seasons behind them and will be looking to build momentum towards the start of the year. The Suns will be without their star midfielder, Gary Ablett, but welcome a number of payers back from injury. The Lions will be searching to find answers to solve their goal kicking woes up forward and Josh Schache is one to keep eye on in the Q-Clash.
Prediction: Brisbane Lions H2H Win ($1.85 Sportsbet)
