Round 2 of the 2026 AFL season gets underway Thursday night with a blockbuster clash between Hawthorn and Sydney. Then, the Crows will try and carry winning momentum into Friday night when they host the in-form Bulldogs.
Keep up to date with all of the fixtures, games, team news, tips, odds, results, reaction, and video as they come to hand.
THURSDAY, MARCH 19
Team news: In a massive blow for the Swans, star midfielder Errol Gulden is set for a four-month stint on the sidelines after scans confirmed he requires surgery on a dislocated shoulder he suffered in the win over the Lions last week. Isaac Heeney has also been ruled out by Dean Cox, after his hamstring strain was worse than first thought.
ESPN tip: Hawks by 8 points
Pointsbet odds: Hawks $1.48, Swans $2.65
FRIDAY, MARCH 20
Team news: Adelaide is set to welcome back Izak Rankine who has served a five-week suspension dating back to late last season. For the Dogs, Arthur Jones will be out of concussion protocols but isn’t guaranteed to get up, and Adam Treloar is edging closer to return from a calf, but that could come via the VFL instead.
ESPN tip: Dogs by 14 points
Pointsbet odds: Crows $2.00, Dogs $1.80
SATURDAY, MARCH 21
Team news: Richmond veterans Nick Vlastuin (conditioning) and Dion Prestia (hamstring) are expected to put their hand up for selection this week, but young tall Jonty Faull will miss through suspension. For the Suns, Jed Walter served his one-week suspension but was still held out of the team for the Round 1 win over the Eagles. Who should be in the frame again, while Bailey Humphrey (hamstring tightness) will need to get through training this week before being deemed fit to return.
ESPN tip: Suns by 53 points
Pointsbet odds: Tigers $5.50, Suns $1.14
Team news: St Kilda pair Mattaes Phillipou (corked quad) and Liam Ryan (corked shoulder) are worse for wear after the loss to the Dees but haven’t yet been ruled out for Round 2, though Rowan Marshall should return after missing through concussion protocols. Meanwhile, the Giants are expected to still be without a host of stars, including Sam Taylor, Darcy Jones, Brent Daniels, Josh Kelly, Toby Bedford, and Aaron Cadman.
ESPN tip: Giants by 17 points
Pointsbet odds: Giants $1.44, Saints $2.75
Team news: Fremantle defender Brennan Cox is still one week away with a calf injury, while intrigue surrounds how the Dockers again use their ruck trio in Luka Jackson, Sean Darcy, and Mason Cox, with the latter overlooked against the Cats.
ESPN tip: Dockers by 24 points
Pointsbet odds: Dockers $1.31, Demons $3.40
SUNDAY, MARCH 22
Team news: Jordan Ridley (calf) is just one week away from returning. For the Power, Jack Lukosius should be in the mix after a solid outing in a SANFL practice match last week. Todd Marshall is expected to be available after injuring his ankle against the Roos.
ESPN tip: Power by 19 points
Pointsbet odds: Power $1.36, Bombers $3.10
Team news: After overcoming a hamstring injury, George Wardlaw is no certainty to face West Coast, with North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson saying he’s weighing up retaining the Kangaroos line-up that started the AFL season in style.
ESPN tip: Kangaroos by 31 points
Pointsbet odds: Eagles $2.45, Roos $1.55
