Good Friday footy and the round two tips

Once again the AFL have opted against playing footy on Good Friday. The way Andrew Demetriou talks that probably won't change any time soon but still, that won't stop us fans complaining now, will it?

The religious-based arguments no longer really stack up. When you get a president like Geelong's Frank Costa bidding to host a game on Good Friday - this being the man whose biography was entitled Family, Faith and Footy - I think we can all agree that times have changed.

Besides, the AFL has always rolled on in spite of other religion's holidays. Why should it be any different on Good Friday?

The real sticking point is, of course, in Melbourne at least, the Royal Children's Hospital's Good Friday Appeal.

But who said a game of footy couldn't end up actually benefiting the Appeal?

As I wrote this time last year: "One need look no further than February's bushfire relief match (between Essendon and the Western Bulldogs) to see the role a game of footy can play in fundraising efforts. The AFL raised $1.2 million through that game for the Red Cross' bushfire appeal."

So with all that in mind, just what is holding the AFL back?

Now, the tips!

Brisbane Lions v Carlton (Thu N) - The attention has been on Brendan Fevola all week, but looking a tad broader, it will be interesting to see which of the much-touted "new-look" forward lines pick up where they left off last week.

Brisbane by 22.

Collingwood v Melbourne (Sat) - Yeah, give that Dean Bailey guy a contract extension. I mean, seven wins in two seasons. The figures speak for themselves, don't they?

Collingwood by 60.

St Kilda v North Melbourne (Sat N) - Don't write off a North side back in Victoria and, more importantly, back indoors away from the horrid weather they copped in Adelaide last week. But still, an easier opponent wouldn't have hurt.

St Kilda by 18 points.

West Coast v Port Adelaide (Sat N) - Two sides that didn't play four quarters last week. Home ground advantage might be what swings this one.

West Coast by 12 points.

Adelaide v Sydney Swans (Sun E) - Two sides that kicked off the season with a loss. The difference? One of those sides lost admirably. The other had a turnover-filled game that resulted in a massive win to - wait for it - Fremantle.

Sydney Swans by 38 points.

Essendon v Fremantle (Sun) - I'm all aboard the Freo bandwagon. So much so that I'm ignoring all available evidence and tipping them to win at Etihad. There, I've said it. What are you going to do about it?

Fremantle by 30 points.

Richmond v Western Bulldogs (Sun T) - Brace yourselves. This could get ugly.

Western Bulldogs by 79 points.

Hawthorn v Geelong Cats (Mon) - A lot of potential about this game. Hawks looked good against lowly opposition but as their NAB Cup showed, that can be a tad deceptive. Cats have room to improve. Should be close.

Geelong by 7 points.