The following are betting tips for Round 8 of the 2025 AFL season.
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Draftstars have a $60,000 fantasy sports contest for the Essendon v North Melbourne clash on Thursday night. Entry costs $15 and the top 25% of participants will receive a payout.
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Essendon vs. North Melbourne |
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North Melbourne fight hard each and every game, but they repeatedly lack the quality to get over the finish line. The Kangaroos have lost eleven consecutive games to the Bombers but they covered the line in their last three meetings. Essendon have gone 0-10 at the line over the last twelve months as the bookmaker’s favourite. Nine of Essendon’s ten wins over the last twelve months were by 1-39 margins and seven were by 1-24 margins. I would back Essendon 1-39 at 2.10 (Dabble).
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Collingwood vs. Geelong |
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Collingwood have won seven on the trot as the listed home side and they covered the line in all seven wins, however Geelong boast a 3-3 record as the away underdog over the last twelve months and the Cats won three of the last six as the away underdog against Collingwood. The last six meetings between these two sides were settled by 22 points or less and the average winning margin was 13.2. All three of Collingwood’s home defeats over the last twelve months were by 1-24 point margins. The Cat’s last five defeats were all by 18 points or less and four of their last five away defeats against Collingwood were by 1-24 points. I would back both Collingwood 1-24 at 3.30 (Dabble) and Geelong 1-24 at 3.75 (Dabble). Those looking for more risk should just back Collingwood 1-24.
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Sydney vs. GWS |
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Sydney have won four on the trot against GWS, however last season’s home win was by just 6 points and the Swans have regressed since then. Sydney are 2-5 for the season and over the last twelve months they have gone 1-6 as the bookmaker’s underdog. The Swans have lost four on the trot at home and they have a 1-3 record as the home underdog against the Giants. Over the last twelve months only two of the Giants’ 13 away games were settled by 25+ margins and none of their away fixtures were settled by 40+ points. I would back GWS 1-39 at 2.20 (Dabble). Those looking for more risk should consider GWS 1-24 at 3.25 (Dabble).
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Brisbane vs. Gold Coast |
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We finish the round with a massive Queensland derby between the 6-1 Lions and 5-1 Suns. The market that stands out the most is total score. Brisbane, due to years gone by, have a reputation for high scoring games, however their last seven home games went under the total. The same can be said for their last four fixtures against the Suns. Brisbane’s average total score at home this season is just 152.7. Since 2023, the average total at the Gabba is 163.9. Brisbane’s last three games against the Suns saw 151, 124 and 158 total points. Showers are expected throughout the weekend in Brisbane at the time of writing. I would back Under 185.5 at 1.52 (bet365). Those looking for more risk can back Under 175.5 at 1.89 (bet365).