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 will miss a second game for the Blues, who have recalled Jordan Boyd and Francis Evans, with Lucas Campreale and Cooper Lord making way. The Bulldogs have regained Liam Jones and James O'Donnell, with Taylor Duryea (managed) and Arthur Jones (omitted) going out.
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: The big news for Melbourne is the return of Steven May. He's one of five changes, with Aidan Johnson, Jack Billings, Jake Melksham, and Harvey Langford coming in, with Jake Lever (ankle), Matthew Jefferson (hand), Charlie Spargo (injured), Taj Woewodin (omitted), Daniel Turner (omitted) and Blake Howes (omitted) going out. For the Suns, Mac Andrew, Jed Walter, and Sam Flanders come in for Charlie Ballard (knee), Ben Ainsworth, and Alex Sexton.
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) will also miss. Cooper Sharman and debutant Tobie Travaglia come in. Richmond regains Tom Lynch from suspension and Tyler Sonsie, with Sam Banks and Liam Fawcett making way.
ESPN tip: Saints by 34 points
Pointsbet odds: Saints $1.25, Tigers $4.00
Hawthorn vs. GWS Giants
Team news: The Giants have some big ins, with Jake Stringer, Jesse Hogan, and Keiren Briggs all set to line up, with Callum Brown, Max Gruzewski, and James Leake (all omitted) making way. For the Hawks, Connor Macdonald's ankle injury sees him going out for veteran forward Luke Breust.
ESPN tip: Giants by 3 points
Pointsbet odds: Hawks $1.50, Giants $2.60
Brisbane Lions vs. Geelong
Team news: It's a forward line delight for the Lions, who regain both Charlie Cameron and Kai Lohmann. Geelong have made one change, with Mark O'Connor going out for star midfielder Bailey Smith.
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, Alastair Clarkson has gone into the clash with Adelaide unchanged. for the Crows, key defender Nick Murray will miss the next few weeks with knee soreness, with James Borlase coming into the side for this week.
ESPN tip: Crows by 22 points
Pointsbet odds: Crows $1.10, Roos $7.00
West Coast Eagles vs. Fremantle Dockers
Team news: The Dockers have made one change for Sunday's game against the Eagles, with defender Brandon Walker making way for debutant Isaiah Dudley after dislocating his shoulder in Round 2. Jack Graham headlines the ins for West Coast after recovering from an ankle injury, with Clay Hall and Jack Petruccelle both dropped.
ESPN tip: Dockers by 35 points
Pointsbet odds: Eagles $4.00, Dockers $1.25
BYES: Collingwood, Sydney Swans