The following are betting tips for Round 1 of the 2025 AFL season.
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Draftstars have a $75,000 fantasy sports contest for the Richmond v Carlton clash on Thursday night. Entry costs $15 and the top 25% of participants will receive a payout.
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Richmond vs. Carlton |
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Eight of out Richmond’s twelve home games went under the total last season, while Carlton’s last six fixtures all went under the total. The Blues are the heavy favourite in this clash, but their scoring might be dampened by the absence of key forward Charlie Curnow. The average total score at the MCG last season was 167.7. I will back under 188.5 in the alternative match total market at 1.52 (bet365).
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Hawthorn vs. Essendon |
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Hawthorn picked up where they left off last season by beating Sydney at the SCG last week. Spanning this season and the last, it was their 8th win in ten games. Hawthorn bring an 8-game winning streak as the ‘home’ side into this clash. Incredibly, they covered the line in all eight of those wins. Over the last twelve months the Hawks have gone 8-1 as the bookmaker’s favourite. Hawthorn have lost four in a row to Essendon, but their last defeat was in March last season – before the Hawks started their incredible run. Essendon ended last season with six defeats in their last seven games. They now commence life without Jake Stringer, who contributed 42 goals for them last year. The Bombers boast an impressive 8-5 line record as the underdog over the last twelve months, so I will stay clear of the line and simply back Hawthorn in the head-to-head at 1.33 (PlayUp). Those looking for more risk should consider Hawthorn 1-39 at 2.15 (Dabble).
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Geelong vs. Fremantle |
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Geelong will be without Tanner Bruhn, Cam Guthrie and Shaun Mannagh for this clash. Fremantle, meanwhile, boast an incredibly talented list this year and they should have no shortage of forward firepower. I have too much respect for the Cats to take them on in the head-to-head, so I will back Fremantle at the line. The Dockers went 5-1 at the line as the away underdog last season and they covered the line in six of their last eight away games against Geelong. Fremantle only lost 3 out of 23 games by 25+ last season, so I will back Fremantle +25.5 in the alternative line market at 1.45 (bet365).
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Sydney vs. Brisbane |
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It turned out to be a disappointing Grand Final last year, when Brisbane thrashed Sydney 120-60 at the MCG. It was the Lions’ 4th consecutive win over the Swans and their 6th win in seven meetings. Sydney weren’t often the underdog last season but they went 0-3 in the head-to-head and 1-2 at the line when they were. I will bet against a blowout. The Swans only suffered one 40+ defeat in their 14 home games over the last twelve months, plus they have a game under their belts, while Brisbane’s season starts this week. I will back Brisbane in the head-to-head at 1.80 (betr). Those looking for more risk should consider Brisbane 1-39 at 2.40 (Dabble).
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Adelaide vs. St Kilda |
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St Kilda start the season with numerous players sidelined with injury. This includes Max King, Mattaes Phillipou and Mitch Owens. The Saints have lost ten straight games as the away underdog against Adelaide. St Kilda have also gone 1-7 at the line in their last eight meetings as the away underdog against Adelaide. I would back Adelaide in the head-to-head at 1.39 (betr). The Crows only won one home game by 40+ last season, while all seven of St Kilda’s away defeats were by 1-39 margins. For those looking for more risk, I would back Adelaide 1-39 at 2.10 (Dabble).