Port Adelaide vs. Essendon Predictions – AFL Round 2 2026

We have Port Adelaide vs. Essendon predictions for AFL Round 2 on Sunday, March 22 at 3:15pm at Adelaide Oval.

With only one win from their last 10 games combined, Port Adelaide and Essendon are desperately seeking momentum in 2026.

Port Adelaide vs. Essendon Predictions

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Best Bet

We don’t think there is much between Port Adelaide and Essendon, so we’re taking the +19.5 start for the visitors.

Winning in Adelaide isn’t easy, but after the Power’s 113-67 loss to North Melbourne, we can’t muster enough faith to bet on them. They didn’t fire a shot against one of the AFL minnows, and playing at home might not be an automatic recipe for success.

Essendon was no match for Hawthorn, losing 145-83, but that’s a respectable effort against a team like the Hawks. That is a stronger performance than Port’s loss, and desperation could be enough to see the Bombers score an upset.

The +19.5 is a good line for the underdogs, and they typically play best in afternoon games.

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Same Game Multi

Essendon could do with a better scoring afternoon from Nate Caddy, who had only one goal last week. He’s capable of much more, and our AFL same game multi bet picks have Caddy scoring 2+ goals at $1.93.

Darcy Parish is an important player for the Bombers. He had 21 disposals last week, but his prior totals included 26, 31, 26, and 31, so the ability is there. He’s a $1.75 chance to have 25+ disposals this week.

We predict a wide-open affair, and there should be plenty of goals. Over 185.5 is an excellent multi bet inclusion.

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Best Value Bet

If Essendon comes out strong, it has every chance of ending a 14-game losing streak to Port Adelaide, and Caddy is a big part of that.

If he can get forward and set himself up for an early goal, the Bombers will be on their way, and the $12 odds are too good to turn down.

He’s an elite scorer on his day, so our AFL picks this week are putting faith in Caddy to come up with the goods.