AFL Grand Final / Jake Norton / 01 April 2011 / Leave a comment Bet Now View Market

AFL pages around Australia - in the indigenous game's heartland of Melbourne in particular - have been dominated by one subject this week: James Hird and his Essendon juggernaut. Jake Norton wonders whether the punters agree...

Granted, the Bombers were impressive, starting a $2.54 outsider before defeating the Bulldogs last week. But it's almost as if the apocalypse is nigh and Sir James and his underlings are the only thing that can possibly save us from doom.

At times of such hysteria, it is often wise to go to the truest and most accurate source of public sentiment: Betfair's markets.

Whilst not as emphatic in predicting an imminent rise to world domination by the Dons, Betfair punters have shown no hesitation in winding the Bombers' Top 8 ($4.10 into $1.65 before settling at $2.02), Top 4 ($60 into $5.10) and even Premiership ($80 into $25) odds noticeably in.

Despite all this support for Essendon in season-long markets, however, punters aren't so confident in its short-term success, nominating the Bombers $2.10 outsiders against $1.88 favourites, Sydney.

The Swans were gallant in drawing with Melbourne in round one, but given all the black and red hype, the Dons look the value of the round.

Speaking of the Demons, they take on Hawthorn this week in a match where both sides will be seeking their first victory of the season.

The Dees might be the competition's supernova, but the Hawks are considered an established power ($8.40 Premiership second pick on Betfair) and have enjoyed a six-year period of dominance over Melbourne. Little wonder then that Hawthorn is a firm $1.45 favourite to secure the points against the Demons ($3.10) on Sunday.

The Hawks' conqueror last weekend, injury-riddled Adelaide, enjoys a well-earned week off in round two, but its cross-town rival Port takes the field against the Eagles in what should be a willing contest.

The Power ($1.50) competed well for a fair portion of its tough opener against the reigning premier, which punters clearly feel should prove sufficiently good form to defeat round one winners, West Coast ($2.98).

The Eagles can consider themselves lucky to get over the line in their sweltering round one contest against North, who faces an even bigger challenge this week when it takes on Collingwood.

At $8 to the Pies' $1.13 head-to-head, North is the unwanted outsider of the round, somewhat strange considering the Gold Coast Suns ($4.50) make their AFL debut against Carlton ($1.26) on Saturday night.

The Blues are understandably expected to win that one, a fate not granted by punters to Richmond, who succumbed to Carlton in the season's first fixture.

Richmond is $4.60 in its match against St Kilda ($1.27) on Friday night, which could be considered "unders" given that the Saints aim for 14 straight victories against the Tigers. Seven of these have come with 40-plus-point margins, so having a few shillings on St Kilda by 40+ in Betfair's winning margin market at $2.92 might be worthwhile.

In one of the remaining two matches of round two, Geelong coach Chris Scott returns to his most recent former employer Fremantle, added knowledge of whom could prove vital.

Despite this, the Cats are $2.28 outsiders against the Dockers ($1.75), who enjoy home support for the first time in 2011.

The final of this weekend's game for analysis is played between the big disappointment of round one, the Western Bulldogs, and Brisbane, unlucky losers in a nail-biter last weekend.

The Dogs might appear short at $1.14 on the back of such a dreadful performance, but at home against the hapless, injury-riddled Lions ($7.20), they are surely the good thing of round two.