AFLW Round 2 preview in 2 minutes or less

Oh captain my captain! Punters got a great look at just how influential the best players are for their teams in this league as the Crows were dominated sans Phillips. The Honeymoon looks well and truly over for Tex Perkins and co already. Dees to go big. Don’t underestimate just how much that win against the Crows last week took it out of the Lions, nor how good the Bulldogs first half was. Upset in Brisbane looms!

GIANTS v BLUES

After how the Giants played last week against the Demons I am surprised to see them starting underdogs here.

Despite a lower scoring game, the Blues had the easier start to 2018 which I think has seen them drift far too short in the betting.

At home in front of a packed Sydney crowd the Giants will be really tough to score against, especially with the return of 2017 marquee signing Emma Swanson who will add even more grunt and outside run to that already talented midfield.

Expecting a really contested game which creates strong appeal around the Giants with the +6.5pt line.

Short of blinders from Harris and Vescio I can’t see the Blues scoring enough to beat the home side here, taking the $2.44 happily to kick-start R2.

Giants by 5.

DEES v CROWS

The Crows showed how vital Erin Phillips is to their side with a disappointing loss to the Lions in Round 1.

Sans their inspirational leader again and on the road against the Demons who were ultra-impressive first up, being the defending premiers seems to be the only factor keeping the Crows from blowing out past the $3 mark.

The Lions fierce tackling, short kicking game and the marking of Frederick-Traub proved far too good for the Crows – these are all weapons the Dees possess and the damn wall could really burst if the Dees are on early.

Dees H2H price appeals strongly and is I think the safest bet of the weekend.

The Dees should also make very short work of that 8.5pt line in what has the potential to be a bit of a Saturday afternoon shellacking.

Dees by 15+.

DOCKERS v MAGPIES

55,000+ expected at Optus Stadium for this clash between two last-start losers in Fremantle and Collingwood.

Very strange to me that the Dockers would be outsiders at home particularly after their second half against the Bulldogs last Sunday and I think that like Carlton the betting here is being impacted significantly by Melbournians who have set their expectations a little too high on their team in 2018.

Taking the Dockers at the very juicy $1.95 price, think they had the tougher game last week and will be better for it but if you are a little hesitant to take the H2H price, the TriBet (either team under 16pts) at $1.57 is great value particularly for multi building.

Dockers by 7 in a low-scoring affair.

LIONS v DOGS

Quite difficult to imagine the Bulldogs being outsiders after that first half display against the Dockers.

No other team moved the ball as well for as often as did the Western Bulldogs and yet they find themselves outsiders here against a Lions team that, while they played well last Saturday, got an easier game against the Phillips-less Crows.

Katie Brennan a complete class above last week and the Lions defenders (indeed all the Lions players) would have spent some mental tickets playing that GF rematch too.

Bulldogs H2H at the $2.17 is the best bet of the weekend for mine but if there are nerves the +3.5pt start should also appeal.

You won’t get this price again all season for the Bulldogs, enjoy it.

Bulldogs by 12.