Footy Tipping: AFL Round 2 Wrap
Round 2 of the 2010 AFL season provided no real upsets but threw up a couple of classics as four Service Central tipsters recorded perfect rounds, meaning that the jackpot will increase to $60 next week!
Thursday night football saw Brendan Fevola square off against his old club as the Lions did battle with the Blues at the 'Gabba. It was Fev who had the last laugh, as his partner in crime Jonathan Brown put in a virtuoso performance to bag seven and lead the Lions to a 19-point win.
As punters were once again left debating the merits of playing football on Good Friday, nobody was prepared for what would take place at the MCG on Saturday afternoon. Melbourne, savaged during the week for an insipid and error-riddled showing against Hawthorn the week before, took the challenge right up to Collingwood, on a high after knocking over flag fancies the Bulldogs the week before. The Demons outplayed the Pies in all areas but could not convert their opportunities on the scoreboard, falling a solitary point short as Ricky Petterd, who until then had put in a near-BOG performance, dropped a mark in the goalsquare with seconds remaining, breaking the hearts of many a Demon fan.
St Kilda staked their claim for flag favouritism with a 104-point belting of North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium later that night. The Saints held the Roos scoreless in the first term while piling on eight themselves, and from there it was just a question of how much.
Controversy shrouded Port's 3-point win over West Coast at Subiaco after the Power seemed to tactically bring out the stretcher in a bid to halt West Coast's momentum late in the final quarter - watch this space. Jason Davenport was excellent for the Power with four last-quarter goals to haul them over the line.
Sydney continued their impressive start to the season, following up a narrow loss to St Kilda with a comprehensive 43-point win over Adelaide at AAMI Stadium, breaking a long hoodoo at the ground. The Crows' second consecutive poor showing will have many tipsters leaning towards Melbourne next week - an unthinkable proposition two weeks ago.
Fremantle impressed once again as they retained their spot in the top two, knocking off Essendon at Etihad and breaking a run of 16 straight losses in Melbourne. The contest was tight until the final quarter, where Freo opened the floodgates and raised some queries over the Dons' fitness.
The Doggies easily accounted for the Tigers by 72 points in a twilight fixture at the 'G in what was little more than a training drill. The Tigers now find themselves at the foot of the ladder and their performance suggested that they will find it difficult to move from there.
Geelong and Hawthorn are building a reputation for classics and this Easter Monday special was no different. The Hawks led at every change but Geelong showed that despite perhaps being past the peak of their powers, they are still a class outfit to win by nine points. The quality of football was high and the pressure intense, suggesting that both clubs should be around the mark come September.
All eyes now turn to Round 3 - St Kilda meets Luke Ball's Collingwood on Friday night, old foes Carlton and Essendon square off at the 'G, and we find out where Adelaide are really at when they meet Melbourne. All six undefeated sides play one another so it's bound to be a corker, and with a jackpot of $60, it's a great opportunity for someone to open up a gap at the top of the tipping ladder - don't forget those tips!
Anyone can win the jackpot, so tell your friends to visit http://www.tipper.com.au and join today!
Good luck and happy tipping!
Tommy the Tipper
