{"id":84272,"date":"2026-03-24T11:31:39","date_gmt":"2026-03-24T01:31:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/?p=84272"},"modified":"2026-03-24T11:31:40","modified_gmt":"2026-03-24T01:31:40","slug":"2026-afl-round-3-tips-preview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/2026\/03\/2026-afl-round-3-tips-preview\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 AFL Round 3 Tips & Preview"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Another shortened round looms large with a Thursday night blockbuster between the Cats and Crows kicking things off.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Pies are back in action on Friday against a Giants team desperate for a win, while the same can be said of the Lions on Saturday when they take to Marvel to face the Saints. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Later that same night, it could be do-or-die time for Brad Scott and the Bombers, although an equally disappointing loss could land Alastair Clarkson right back on the hot seat at Arden Street.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s just as much at stake on and off the field for the winner of Sunday\u2019s Carlton vs Melbourne fixture back at the \u2018G, and you can find our tips for all seven games in our Round 3 Preview here! <\/p>\n\n\n

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Geelong Cats<\/div>\n
vs<\/div>\n
Adelaide Crows<\/div>\n
Thursday 26th March 2026 6:30 PM (GMHBA Stadium)<\/div>\n
Tip: Geelong 1-39 @ $2.20 <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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There\u2019s<\/span>\u00a0suddenly a bit of pressure on Matthew Nicks and the Crows to get things right.\u00a0<\/span>Last week\u2019s spirited fourth quarter fight back against the Dogs resulted in\u00a0<\/span>a six<\/span>-point loss, a disappointing result that has shone\u00a0<\/span>a large\u00a0<\/span>spotlight on Adelaide\u2019s slow ball movement and inability to lay a tackle inside their defensive 50. Those kinds of glaring issues might be compounded even further\u00a0<\/span>on Thursday against a well-rested Cats team playing its second game in a row at GMHBA Stadium. Geelong staged its own fourth quarter comeback two weeks ago against the Dockers and\u00a0<\/span>have enjoyed<\/span>\u00a0a week off to rest some injured stars. The Crows last win in Geelong came\u00a0<\/span>way back<\/span>\u00a0in\u00a0<\/span>2003<\/span>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>we\u2019re<\/span>\u00a0yet to see them really dominate a second half like they did last year. Ranking low in the tackles and clearances\u00a0<\/span>department<\/span>\u00a0through two games,\u00a0<\/span>I\u2019m<\/span>\u00a0siding with the Cats at home.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\n Cats vs Crows<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n
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Collingwood<\/div>\n
vs<\/div>\n
GWS Giants<\/div>\n
Friday 27th March 2026 6:40 PM (Marvel Stadium)<\/div>\n
Tip: Under 177.5 Total Points <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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The last two meetings between this pair have resulted in blowout margins the way of GWS, but with the Giants nursing a long injury list,\u00a0<\/span>it\u2019s<\/span>\u00a0no shock to find the Pies\u00a0<\/span>favoured<\/span>\u00a0heavily fresh from the bye. Credit where\u00a0<\/span>it\u2019s<\/span>\u00a0due, the Giants came\u00a0<\/span>out with a wet sail to trim the margin to only four points in last week\u2019s loss to St Kilda, but\u00a0<\/span>we\u2019ve<\/span>\u00a0already noticed a growing<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>trend with Adam Kingsley\u2019s side g<\/span>iving up 19 combined first half goals over the last fortnight. Fortunately, the Pies are guilty of playing some slow, low-scoring footy that some\u00a0<\/span>have labeled boring. Collingwood ranks bottom six in inside 50 entries to start the year, and with the Giants still acting as the walking wounded, the Under is the way to go here.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\n Pies vs Giants<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n
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St Kilda<\/div>\n
vs<\/div>\n
Brisbane Lions<\/div>\n
Saturday 28th March 2026 11:35 AM (Marvel Stadium)<\/div>\n
Tip: Under the Total <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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How much can you really take away from St Kilda\u2019s four-point win over the Giants last week? Ross Lyon\u2019s squad led by as many as five goals before GWS m<\/span>ounted<\/span>\u00a0a comeback,\u00a0<\/span>although it was encouraging to watch<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>the Saints build on two\u00a0<\/span>agonising<\/span>\u00a0performances against Collingwood and Melbourne in the week\u2019s prior. The Lions, on the other hand, return from the bye with some key faces\u00a0<\/span>set to return\u00a0<\/span>to the side. Darcy Gardiner, Logan Morris and potentially Hugh\u00a0<\/span>McLuggage<\/span>\u00a0all stand a chan<\/span>ce at playing, and the timing\u00a0<\/span>couldn’t<\/span>\u00a0be any better with the Lions still searching for their first win.\u00a0<\/span>It’s<\/span>\u00a0a big game down back for the Saints\u00a0<\/span>against a Brisbane forward line loaded with\u00a0<\/span>attacing<\/span>\u00a0weapons. Just like in years past, the Saints have allowed just under 10 goals a game \u2013 good for the\u00a0<\/span>sixth-fewest<\/span>\u00a0in the league. The Marvel factor is worth considering here, but with the Lions still less than full strength and the Saints leaving a lot to be desire<\/span>d, a low-scoring afternoon is how\u00a0<\/span>I\u2019d<\/span>\u00a0play this one.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\n Saints vs Lions<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n
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Fremantle<\/div>\n
vs<\/div>\n
Richmond<\/div>\n
Saturday 28th March 2026 3:15 PM (Optus Stadium)<\/div>\n
Tip: Fremantle to Cover (-47.5) <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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The Dockers have enjoyed the spoils of an extra week at home after taking care of the Demons last Saturday by 48 points. After promising all offseason to play more attacking footy,\u00a0<\/span>Freo\u00a0<\/span>smacked Melbourne for seven<\/span>\u00a0early goals in the first term as Andrew Brayshaw, Connor Treacy and Shai Bolton had their hands all over the footy. Things\u00a0<\/span>weren\u2019t<\/span>\u00a0quite as pleasant for the Tigers, who went down by 10 goals to the relent<\/span>less Suns.\u00a0<\/span>Sitting 18<\/span><\/span>th<\/span><\/span>\u00a0in points per game, Richmond continues to dispose of the ball efficiently and win the clearances when it matters most. For the Dockers, last week\u2019s win was important, but so\u00a0<\/span>to<\/span>\u00a0is a blowout victory against an inferior opponent on Saturday. Expect Justin Longmuir to have his side revved up and ready to make a statement.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\n Dockers vs Tigers<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n
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\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n
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Essendon<\/div>\n
vs<\/div>\n
North Melbourne<\/div>\n
Saturday 28th March 2026 6:35 PM (Marvel Stadium)<\/div>\n
Tip: North Melbourne 1-39 @ $2.20<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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By far the most fascinating game of the round, even if\u00a0<\/span>it\u2019s<\/span>\u00a0for all the wrong reasons. There\u2019s a \u2018Loser Leaves Town\u2019 type vibe with coaches Brad Scott and Alastair Clarkson firmly on the hot seat, although it\u2019s fair to argue the leash on the latter is<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>longer after North opened its season with a promising win over Port Adelaide<\/span>\u00a0before last week\u2019s meltdown against West Coast<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>On the back of another lifeless performance against Port themselves last week, the Dons have dominated the news cycle with their lack of effort,\u00a0<\/span>leadership<\/span>\u00a0and culture on full display. Scott offered little for Bombers fans to\u00a0<\/span>feel good about post-game as he now faces some serious decisions ahead of\u00a0<\/span>team<\/span>\u00a0list Thursday.\u00a0<\/span>It\u2019s<\/span>\u00a0worth noting the Bombers have won\u00a0<\/span>12 in a row over North dating back to 2017, but aside from Nate Caddy and Dyson Sharp, how could you\u00a0<\/span>possibly feel<\/span>\u00a0good about anything Essendon is serving up right now? If Harry\u00a0<\/span>Sheezl<\/span>\u00a0finds plenty of the\u00a0<\/span>Sherrin and Nick Larkey\u00a0<\/span>dominates up<\/span>\u00a0forward like he has over the first two weeks, North should be winning.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\n Bombers vs Roos<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n
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Port Adelaide<\/div>\n
vs<\/div>\n
West Coast Eagles<\/div>\n
Sunday 29th March 2026 11:30 AM (Adelaide Oval)<\/div>\n
Tip: West Coast to Cover (+28.5) <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Big game for two clubs that no one really fancied to finish anywhere near\u00a0<\/span>the top eight<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>The old saying \u201cyou\u2019re only as good as your last game\u201d firmly applied to the Eagles on Sunday as Andrew\u00a0<\/span>McQualter\u2019s<\/span>\u00a0side improved sharply\u00a0<\/span>on<\/span>\u00a0a strong second half against the Suns<\/span>\u00a0the week prior<\/span>,\u00a0<\/span>walk<\/span>ing<\/span>\u00a0away\u00a0<\/span>17 point<\/span>\u00a0winners against North\u00a0<\/span>Melbourne<\/span>\u00a0with the likes of Harley Reid and Elliott Yeo coming up big<\/span>. Likewise, several of Port\u2019s key veterans stood up in a handy\u00a0<\/span>63-point<\/span>\u00a0win over Essendon<\/span>, setting up what could be a close fought game on Sunday. The loss of Connor\u00a0<\/span>Rozee<\/span>\u00a0to a hamstring really hurts the Power through the midfield,\u00a0<\/span>which was an area of the ground West Coast began to exploit as the game went on against North. Several of West Coast\u2019s goals came off\u00a0<\/span>centre<\/span>\u00a0clearance wins\u00a0<\/span>to go with 59 entries into the forward half of the ground. It was only one game, but we got a serious glimpse into the Eagles\u2019\u00a0<\/span>future<\/span>\u00a0and there was plenty to be excited about.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\n Power vs Eagles<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n
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\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n
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Carlton<\/div>\n
vs<\/div>\n
Melbourne<\/div>\n
Sunday 29th March 2026 2:15 PM (MCG)<\/div>\n
Tip: Under 170.5 Total Points<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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The Blues have held the wood over the Dees for the better part of three seasons, although\u00a0<\/span>it\u2019s<\/span>\u00a0worth factoring in that each of their last four wins against Melbourne have come by no more than eight points. Whether an early bye after beating Richmond by a small margin a fortnight ago was what the Blues needed is debatable, especially on the back of another forgettable second half. Melbourne, meanwhile, head<\/span>s home following a blowout loss to Fremantle in Perth. The Dees<\/span>\u00a0were on the back foot early and\u00a0<\/span>failed to<\/span>\u00a0lead at any point in the game, a stark contrast to their emotional win over St Kilda the week prior.\u00a0<\/span>Melbourne\u2019s growing injury list makes this an even bigger ask for first-year coach Steven King, although the wayward Blues\u00a0<\/span>aren\u2019t<\/span>\u00a0exactly the healthiest team themselves. Struggling to string together<\/span>\u00a0four solid quarters with Michael Voss still under scrutiny,\u00a0<\/span>I\u2019m<\/span>\u00a0backing the Under \u2013 which has saluted in eight straight between these two sides.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\n Blues vs Dees<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Another shortened round looms large with a Thursday night blockbuster between the Cats and Crows kicking things off.   The Pies are back in action on Friday against a Giants team desperate for a win, while the same can be said of the Lions on Saturday when they take to Marvel to face the Saints.  Later that same night, it could be do-or-die time for Brad Scott and the Bombers, although an equally disappointing loss could land Alastair Clarkson right back on the hot seat at Arden Street.   There\u2019s just as much at stake on and off the field for the winner of Sunday\u2019s…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":84273,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[33],"hub_post_cat":[],"class_list":["post-84272","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-australian-rules","tag-afl-tips"],"acf":{"md_tip_date":"","md_tip_date_end":"","md_market_url":"","tip_date":"24\/03\/2026","event_country":"Australia"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/84272","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/17"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=84272"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/84272\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/84273"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=84272"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=84272"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=84272"},{"taxonomy":"hub_post_cat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/hub_post_cat?post=84272"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}