AFL Round 3 tips: Betting preview, odds and predictions

AFL Round 3 tips: Betting preview, odds and predictions

The AFL’s Round 3 is a tough one to tip as teams are still sorting themselves out in the early part of the season.

Fremantle look poised to continue their unbeaten start to the season against a travel-shy Adelaide.

Essendon will be hoping to take advantage of a St Kilda side short of several key personnel.

While, Hawthorn are ready to cause a surprise against the unbeaten Cats on Easter Monday.

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Below are The Sporting News’ tips and predictions for Round 3:

Odds via TAB.

Fremantle vs. Adelaide prediction, tip, best bet

The Dockers have been one of the surprise packets of the early season, comfortably beating Brisbane and accounting for North Melbourne after a poor start.

They return to their home at Optus Stadium against Adelaide, a team that has struggled on the road under coach Matthew Nicks.

Adelaide were disappointing in their home defeat to Geelong last weekend and look in danger of having a struggling season.

With Fremantle up-and-about and the Crows poor away from Adelaide Oval, we like the home side at the line.

Prediction: Fremantle by 23 points.

Best bet: Fremantle +10.5 ($1.90)

Essendon vs. St Kilda prediction, tip, best bet

St Kilda secured an excellent win over Collingwood last round but have suffered another round of injuries and suspension.

Max King will miss a week after an unsuccessful visit to the AFL Tribunal, while Liam Henry (hamstring) and Mason Wood (concussion/collarbone) will be sorely missed.

The Bombers will be without their own key forward with Peter Wright copping four weeks for knocking out Harry Cunningham.

With a pro-Essendon crowd at Marvel Stadium, the Bombers seem to be good odds to win against a Saints team missing several key players.

Prediction: Essendon by eight points.

Best bet: Essendon to win ($2.40)

Richmond vs. Sydney prediction, tip, best bet

The Tigers are 0-3 with losses to three possible premiership contenders in GWS, Carlton and Port Adelaide.

They cop another flag chance in Sydney at the MCG this week.

While Richmond have been valiant in their three losses, a 30-point loss to the Power at the ‘G’ last week indicates a similar result against the Swans is coming.

We all know how well Sydney have performed on the MCG in recent years during the home-and-away season.

Prediction: Sydney by 38 points.

Best bet: Sydney +22.5 ($1.90)

Hawthorn vs. Geelong prediction, tip, best bet

Geelong have impressed with two wins to open the season but there is still a feeling the Cats are a middle of the road team.

Patrick Dangerfield will be a huge out to a midfield that already looks thin without Cam Guthrie.

Hawthorn lost against Melbourne last weekend after an insipid first quarter but held their own from that point before a few late Demon goals blew the margin out.

The Hawks can challenge the Cats and we know anything can happen in this famous Easter Monday clash.

Prediction: Hawthorn by three points.

Best bet: Hawthorn +18.5 ($1.90)