Round 3 of the AFL season gets underway Thursday night with Essendon and Port Adelaide squaring off at Marvel Stadium, before the winless Carlton and still-undermanned Bulldogs battle in a massive Friday night contest.
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 27
Essendon vs. Port Adelaide
Team news: Ken Hinkley has been forced to make at few changes, with Jack Lukosius (kneecap), Lachie Jones (adductor), and Ryan Burton (hip) to miss. Tom Cochrane will make his debut, and Esava Ratugolea should be fit. For the Bombers, Elijah Tsatas and Archie Perkins will miss through injury, with Saad El-Hawli to make his AFL debut.
ESPN tip: Bombers by 5 points
Pointsbet odds: Bombers $2.35, Power $1.60
Get your tips in now on the ESPNfootytips app!
FRIDAY, MARCH 28
Carlton vs. Western Bulldogs
Team news: Harry McKay (illness) was a late out against the Hawks last week but should be right to suit up on Friday night. Meanwhile, Liam Jones is firming to return after missing the opening two games of the season with a hamstring injury.
ESPN tip: Blues by 8 points
Pointsbet odds: Blues $1.90, Dogs $1.90
READ: Is Michael Voss Carlton's next premiership coach?
SATURDAY, MARCH 29
Melbourne vs. Gold Coast Suns
Team news: After a bye week, expect both Mac Andrew (chest) and Sam Flanders (back) to put their hands up for selection for the Suns against the Demons.
ESPN tip: Demons by 10 points
Pointsbet odds: Dees $1.90, Suns $1.90
St Kilda vs. Richmond
Team news: St Kilda will be without defender Liam Stocker after he entered concussion protocols on the weekend, while Hunter Clark (hip) could also be touch-and-go for this week. for the Tigers, key forward Tom Lynch is expected to return after serving his one-match suspension.
ESPN tip: Saints by 34 points
Pointsbet odds: Saints $1.25, Tigers $4.00
Hawthorn vs. GWS Giants
Team news: Scans will confirm the severity of Connor Macdonald's ankle injury, but it's unlikely he'll play against the Giants, and with the Hawks having a Round 4 bye it could be wise to sit him at least the next fortnight. Kieren Briggs missed the Giants' clash with the Demons in Round 1 due to concussion but should return on Saturday night after getting through protocols, while Jake Stringer is also in line to play his first game for the club after recovering from a hamstring injury.
ESPN tip: Giants by 3 points
Pointsbet odds: Hawks $1.50, Giants $2.60
Brisbane Lions vs. Geelong
Team news: Charlie Cameron missed a second straight game with a calf issue, with the Lions taking a cautious approach with his recovery. But he is expected to put his hand up for selection this week. For the Cats, scans have cleared All-Australian defender Tom Stewart of significant PCL damage after landing on his knee against the Saints, and he could still line up in Brisbane this week.
ESPN tip: Lions by 18 points
Pointsbet odds: Lions $1.45, Cats $2.75
SUNDAY, MARCH 30
Adelaide Crows vs. North Melbourne
Team news: After a sensational win against the Dees, it's unlikely Alastair Clarkson will make many changes. Griffin Logue (hamstring) is still expected to miss one more week, but Zac Fisher (40 disposals, 10 intercepts, and eight marks) was prolific in the VFL and could give selectors something to think about.
ESPN tip: Crows by 22 points
Pointsbet odds: Crows $1.10, Roos $7.00
West Coast Eagles vs. Fremantle Dockers
Team news: TBC
ESPN tip: Dockers by 35 points
Pointsbet odds: Eagles $4.00, Dockers $1.25
BYES: Collingwood, Geelong, Sydney Swans