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AFL Round 2: Fixture, teams, news, tips, odds - everything you need to know for the round of football

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Eade: Essendon have gone 'too early' on Scott extension (1:07)

On the Footyology podcast, former AFL coach Rodney Eade says Essendon's decision to extend coach Brad Scott's contract was a mistake. (1:07)

Round 2 of the AFL season gets underway Thursday evening with Carlton and Hawthorn squaring off at the MCG, while preseason flag fancies Fremantle and Sydney are looking to avoid a winless start to their seasons.

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 20

Carlton vs. Hawthorn

MCG, 7:30pm (AEST)

Team news: Carlton spearhead Charlie Curnow makes his much anticipated season debut in a huge boost for Michael Voss' forward line, after the two-time Coleman medallist missed Round 1 while recovering from minor knee surgery. Curnow comes in at the cost of Francis Evans who has been omitted. Meanwhile, Hawthorn has recalled Changkuoth Jiath and Jack Gunston, with the pair to replace Sam Frost (omitted) and Jack Scrimshaw (suspended).

ESPN tip: Hawks by 11 points

Pointsbet odds: Blues $3.10, Hawks $1.38

Get your tips in now on the ESPNfootytips app!


FRIDAY, MARCH 21

Western Bulldogs vs. Collingwood

MCG, 7:40pm (AEST)

Team news: Collingwood has taken a cautious approach with Jordan De Goey's recovery from a bruised knee. But after missing the side's opening two matches, the midfield bull will feature in his first game of the season against the Dogs. Mason Cox is also in for the Pies. It's more unfortunate news for Luke Beveridge, however, with Luke Cleary (concussion) and James O'Donnell (jaw) to miss, with Buku Khamisand Oskar Baker coming in.

ESPN tip: Magpies by 19 points

Pointsbet odds: Dogs $2.25, Pies $1.65


SATURDAY, MARCH 22

Essendon vs. Adelaide Crows

MCG, 1:20pm (AEST)

Team news: Brad Scott has been forced into at least two changes for this week's clash with the Crows, after important duo Kyle Langford (hamstring) and Jordan Ridley (concussion) were injured in Round 1. Jye Menzie and Thomas Edwards come in. The Crows are unchanged.

ESPN tip: Crows by 21 points

Pointsbet odds: Dons $2.20, Crows $1.67

Port Adelaide vs. Richmond

Adelaide Oval, 4:15pm (AEST)

Team news: There were no injuries to come out of Port Adelaide's first game of the season, but could Ken Hinkley has named draftee Christian Moraes to play his first game in place of Jeremy Finlayson. For the Tigers, key forward Tom Lynch is serving a one-match ban, while Tyler Sonsie has also been omitted. Liam Fawcett and Kaleb Smith come in.

ESPN tip: Power by 36 points

Pointsbet odds: Power $1.12, Tigers $6

READ: Is Port's coaching handover already failing?

St Kilda vs. Geelong

Marvel Stadium, 7:35pm (AEST)

Team news: Thankfully for then Saints, there are no new injuries coming out of their Round 1 loss to Adelaide, but Ross Lyon has made four changes, with Isaac Keeler, Liam Stocker, Mitch Owens and Lance Collard coming in for Zaine Cordy, Arie Schoenmaker, Harry Boyd and Angus Hastie. The Cats are unchanged.

ESPN tip: Cats by 34 points

Pointsbet odds: Saints $3.80, Cats $1.27


SUNDAY, MARCH 23

Brisbane Lions vs. West Coast Eagles

Gabba, 1:10pm (AEST)

Team news: The Lions have breathed a sigh of relief after scans confirmed small forward Kai Lohman wouldn't require surgery on his ankle after injuring it early in the win over Sydney, but he will still miss at least one game. Brandon Starcevich (concussion) and Darcy Fort also make way, for Sam Day, Will McLachlan (debut), and Bruce Reville. The Eagles have also made three changes; Liam Ryan, Bailey Williams, asnd Jack Petrucelle come in for Jake Waterman who injured himself last week, Jack Hutchinson, and Matt Flynn.

ESPN tip: Lions by 52 points

Pointsbet odds: Lions $1.05, Eagles $10

North Melbourne vs. Melbourne

Marvel Stadium, 3:20pm (AEST)

Team news: North Melbourne's Jackson Archer will spend three weeks on the sidelines after his collision with Luke Cleary last week, while Griffin Logue also goes out, with Dylan Stephens and Toby Pink named. The Dees have brought in Charlie Spargo, Daniel Turner, and Taj Woewodin for Caleb Windsor, Aidan Johnson, and Harvey Langford.

ESPN tip: Demons by 16 points

Pointsbet odds: Roos $3.15, Dees $1.35

Fremantle Dockers vs. Sydney Swans

Optus Stadium, 6:10pm (AEST)

Team news: Shai Bolton, Neil Erasmus, and Patrick Voss come in for the Dockers, with Sam Switkowski, Liam Reidy, and Karl Worner making way. For Sydney, Angus Sheldrick, Peter Ladhams, and Haydem McLean come into a tall side, with Justin McInerney suspended, and Lewis Melican and Ben Paton making way.

ESPN tip: Dockers by 5 points

Pointsbet odds: Dockers $1.65, Swans $2.25

BYES: Gold Coast Suns, GWS Giants