AFLW Round 1 preview in 2 minutes or less

Plenty of value about for punters to start the AFLW for season 2018 with the Blues and Dees expected to enjoy relatively easy first-up wins. The Grand Final rematch in Adelaide looks much tougher to predict given the cloud surrounding Crows superstar Erin Phillips whilst much more is expected of both Fremantle and the Western Bulldogs in 2018.

CARLTON V COLLINGWOOD

These two sides didn’t need another reason to hate each other but the defection of inaugural Magpie Nicola Stevens across to Carlton will ensure tackling pressure and ferocity at the contest is maintained well past the initial exchanges in this highly anticipated 2018 AFLW season opener.

Both teams will want to activate their very dangerous forward lines but the Magpies look decidedly less capable of accessing theirs.

The potentially damaging combination of Emma King, Jamie Lambert and forward-turned-midfielder Moana Hope provides Collingwood with some hope but if the magpies midfield is not up to task expect the Blues to repeat 2017’s score line with Brianna Davey dominating from half back once again.

DEMONS V GIANTS

2018 is the year of the Demon according to many pundits and their pre-season match against Collingwood crystallised the view that the Dees are the team to beat. Despite being rank outsiders, the additions of Forth and Eva to the Giants midfield shouldn't be understated.

Today's is one of those games where I can't have the Dees at the H2H price, nor take the Giants without a start until I see a four quarter effort from them. For mine the +14.5 for the Giants is better than it looks, especially in the first week where defensive pressure and kicking inefficiency could be more prevalent. If the Giants maintain pressure at the contest and contain Cunningham then the line for the Giants looks very attractive.

Like Giants +14.5 and/or Over 60.5. Dees by 8.

CROWS V LIONS

The Lions will be out for retribution in this Grand final rematch but it is the premiers who look to have increased their list strength for season 2018 with Wallace and Lugg adding extra dimensions to an already potent forward half.

Zanchetta will add some grunt to the Lions midfield but the loss of Tayla Harris will hurt the visitors here with no one to take those contested marks inside forward 50.

Despite the late omission of Phillips the Crows look a good bet at home at the $1.60 price as well as the -5.5pt Line for those looking for more value.

----LATE MAIL---  2017 Best and Fairest winner Erin Phillips has been ruled out late (quad). In a mark of how influential Phillips can be, the Crows have drifted in the H2H betting, out to $1.60 from $1.48.

BULLDOGS V DOCKERS

The Western Bulldogs have been installed as heavy favourites to win the final game of R1 – a little too heavy for my liking.

Yes the Bulldogs have bolstered their midfield and are trotting out 2018 #1 Bella Huntington to play across half back but the Dockers have added plenty of experience to their defence and especially and should be able to match it with their more fancied opponents.

These teams are much closer than the odds are telling us.

Love the +9.5pt line on offer, taking that all day.

Should be a high-scoring affair, relatively speaking, so the Over 58.5pts appeals strongly and I am also on-board with SI's prediction on the Dockers H2H at $2.92.

Great value about the Dockers today.