The following are betting tips for the Opening Round of the 2024 AFL season.
Be sure to also check out our 2024 AFL Table Prediction & Futures Betting Tips article.
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At the time of writing the biggest Draftstars contest for this round is the $100,000 competition for the Thursday night clash between Sydney and Melbourne. Entry costs $15 and the top 25% of participants will receive a payout.
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Sydney vs. Melbourne |
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You can make a case for both sides and bookmakers have clearly found a hard time separating them. Sydney were arguably lucky to have made the finals last year while Melbourne have had off-field issues during the off-season. Sydney haven’t lost by 25+ at home over the last twelve months, while Melbourne haven’t lost any game by 40+ over the last twelve months and they only lost once by 25+, so I will back a competitive contest. I would back both Sydney 1-39 at 2.40 (bet365) and Melbourne 1-39 at 2.40 (bet365).
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Brisbane vs. Carlton |
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This should be another interesting contest. Brisbane defeated Carlton in the preliminary finals last year by a 16-point margin at the Gabba. Leading up to that game the Blues had won 11 of their previous 12 games. Brisbane have gone 14-0 at home over the last twelve months and they have won eight straight at home against Carlton, so I’m reluctant to back the visitors in the head-to-head. The Blues will be without the injured Sam Walsh, Jacob Weitering, Jesse Motlop, and Jack Martin, however they do get Zac Williams back from long-term injury. I would back Brisbane in the head-to-head at 1.31 (Betfair). The Blues went 5-1 at the line as the away underdog over the last twelve months and eight of their previous ten defeats at the Gabba were by 1-39, so those looking for more risk should consider Brisbane 1-39 at 2.20 (Dabble).
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Gold Coast vs. Richmond |
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Gold Coast’s new coach Damien Hardwick takes on his old team to start the season. Gold Coast went 9-2 at the line at home over the last twelve months and they went 3-0 both in the head-to-head and the line as the home favourite. They bring a three-game winning streak against Richmond into this match. The Tigers went 2-6 as the away underdog over the last twelve months and they limp into this fixture with a number of injuries and injury clouds. Among those absent will be Tom Lynch. I would back Gold Coast in the head-to-head at 1.58 (Betfair).
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GWS vs. Collingwood |
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Collingwood beat GWS in the Preliminary Finals last year by just one point and I expect another competitive contest. In a clash of stats, GWS went 6-2 as the home favourite last year, however Collingwood went 2-0 as the away underdog. All six of the Giants’ home defeats over the last twelve months were by 1-24 points, while all five of Collingwood’s defeats were by 1-39. GWS are the marginal favourite in this clash, however they will be without the injured pair of Finn Callaghan and Harry Perryman. I will back both GWS 1-39 at 2.25 (Dabble) and Collingwood 1-39 at 2.70 (Unibet).