AFL round 3 fixtures, odds, injuries and early tips
AFL round 3 will kick off on Thursday night with a blockbuster clash between Geelong and Adelaide at GMHBA Stadium.
The Cats have been installed a 1.40 favourite to defeat the Crows (2.96) after their impressive comeback victory over Fremantle last start.
Adelaide will be bitterly disappointing after losing a pulsating clash to the Western Bulldogs at home, with this clash an early-season highlight in what has been a luckluster start to 2026.
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The Crows will be without gun recruit Callum Ah Chee for up to eight weeks with a hamstring, suffered in their loss to the Bulldogs, while Rory Laird (calf), Josh Worrall (calf), Toby Murray (back) and Sid Draper (ankle) are also in doubt.
Collingwood will start their clash against the GWS as favourites on Friday night, with the Magpies priced at 1.52 by betting sites, while the injury-hit Giants are priced at 2.54.
The Magpies are coming off a poor loss to the Crows but could be boosted by the return of captain Darcy Moore and veteran Jeremy Howe, who are both nearing the assigned recovery time for their respective soft tissue injuries.
The Giants were only just going for much of their game against St Kilda, eventually storming home to go down by four points, although this margin could have been greater. They will be boosted by the return of dynamic smalls Brent Daniels and Toby Bedford, while Aaron Cadman is 50-50 to play, while they will lose Jack Buckley to concussion.
St Kilda (2.63) will clash with Brisbane (1.49) in the early game on Saturday, with the new-look Saints coming off their first victory of the season, while the Lions have a host of injuries and will be wary of taking this clash lightly.
Fremantle (1.05) is expected to defeat Richmond (10.50) in the twilight fixture, with the rebuilding Tigers suffering several injury blows in their loss on the weekend, including veteran spearhead Tom Lynch, who suffered a hamstring strain.
The Tigers will also miss Toby Nankervis for up to two months with the same injury, while Nathan Broad will miss at least this clash with a calf strain.
Essendon (2.55) will be hunting for their first win of the year at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night, when they clash with North Melbourne (1.51), who will be looking to get their record back in the positives after succumbed to West Coast on the road.
The Bombers have been dealt a blow with Mason Redman suffering a meniscus tear in his left knee, with this set to sideline him for at least three months.
On Sunday, Port Adelaide (1.23) will face a West Coast (4.25) coming off a confidence boosting win over North Melbourne, but this task will be moe difficult on the road.
The Power will be without captain Connor Rozee for an extended period with a high-grade rupture of his hamstring tendon, while Miles Bergman will also miss their clash against West Coast with a slight ankle injury.
Carlton (2.04) and Melbourne (1.81) will close out AFL round 3, in what should be a relatively close clash, with both teams not having huge expectations this year. Several Rising Star contenders will be on-show, including favourite Jagga Smith.
AFL round 2 fixtures & early tips
AFL round 3 will again not be a full round with Gold Coast, Sydney, Western Bulldogs and Hawthorn all having a bye. AFL round 3 will begin on March 26 and wind up on Sunday, March 29. We have highlighted our projected winner for each game below.
Thursday, March 26
- Geelong Cats v Adelaide Crows, GMHBA Stadium, 7.30pm AEDT
Friday, March 27
- Collingwood v GWS Giants, Marvel Stadium, 7.40pm AEDT
Saturday, March 28
- St Kilda v Brisbane Lions, Marvel Stadium, 1.15pm AEDT
- Fremantle v Richmond, Optus Stadium, 4.15pm AEDT
- Essendon v North Melbourne, Marvel Stadium, 7.35pm AEDT
Sunday, March 29
- Port Adelaide v West Coast Eagles, Adelaide Oval, 12.30pm AEDT*
- Carlton v Melbourne, MCG, 3.15pm AEDT
