Carlton continued their momentum from the 2023 campaign last week, with a dramatic comeback win over Brisbane and they will want to continue that momentum here against Richmond. The blues were hugely impressive at times last year and look to be amongst the favourites to go all the way this season with many AFL betting sites. Meanwhile, Richmond have work to do this year, if they are to crack the top 8 but they have plenty of big names in the ranks, who will all be out to put on a show here. This will be tight, but Carlton are strong at home, and they should prevail here.
| Bookmaker | Sam’s Tip | Odds |
 | Total Points – Over 161.5 | $1.75 |
 | Winning Margin: Carlton 1-12 | $5.5 |
 | Carlton to win the match | $1.42 |
Carlton: Adam Cerra, Adam Saad, Alex Cincotta, Blake Acres, Brodie Kemp, Charlie Curnow, David Cuningham, Harry McKay, Jack Martin, Jacob Weitering, Jordan Boyd, Lachie Fogarty, Marc Pittonet, Matthew Cottrell, Matthew Kennedy, Matthew Owies, Mitch McGovern, Nic Newman, Paddy Dow, Patrick Cripps, Sam Docherty, Sam Walsh, Tom De Koning
Richmond: Daniel Rioli, Dustin Martin, Dylan Grimes, Hugo Ralphsmith, Jack Graham, Jack Riewoldt, Jack Ross, Jayden Short, Judson Clarke, Kamdyn McIntosh, Liam Baker, Nathan Broad, Nick Vlastuin, Noah Balta, Samson Ryan, Tim Taranto, Toby Nankervis, Trent Cotchin.
Two of the very best in the AFL go at it here at the MCG, as champions Collingwood take on Sydney in what should be a spectacular curtain raiser. The Magpies were way too good for the chasing pack last season, and they will want to start thinking about creating an AFL legacy over the next couple of years. Sydney, however, will be one of the sides out to stop them from doing that and how they would love to rain on the parade here. Collingwood is a tough nut to crack at home though, and they should pick up an important home win to kick start their campaign here.
| Bookmaker | Sam’s Tip | Odds |
| Brody Mihocek – First Goal Scorer | $10 |
| Collingwood to win the match | $1.55 |
| Total Points – Over 169.5 | $1.91 |
Collingwood: Ashley Johnson, Bobby Hill, Brayden Maynard, Brody Mihocek, Darcy Cameron, Darcy Moore, Harvey Harrison, Isaac Quaynor, Jack Crisp, Jamie Elliott, Jeremy Howe, John Noble, Josh Daicos, Mason Cox, Nathan Murphy, Oleg Markov, Patrick Lipinski, Scott Pendlebury, Taylor Adams, Tom Mitchell, W. Hoskin-Elliott.
Sydney: Braeden Campbell, Callum Mills, Dane Rampe, Errol Gulden, Harry Cunningham, Hayden McLean, Isaac Heeney, Jake Lloyd, James Rowbottom, Joel Amartey, Lewis Melican, Logan McDonald, Nick Blakey, Oliver Florent, Robbie Fox, Ryan Clarke, Tom Papley.
Two teams that didn’t enjoy hugely successful campaigns last year face off here, as Hawthorn travel to Essendon. Both sides possess plenty of AFL history however and they will be touted by big and small betting sites alike to have more successful campaigns in 2024. Ascertaining exactly where each side is ahead of this one is tough and there will be no love lost here but Essendon should be able to pick up a confidence boosting win at home here.
| Bookmaker | Sam’s Tip | Odds |
| Total Points – Under 173.5 | $1.85 |
| Winning Margin: Essendon 1-12 | $6 |
| Essendon to win the match | $1.78 |
Essendon: Andrew McGrath, Andrew Phillips, Archie Perkins, Ben Hobbs, B. Zerk-Thatcher, Darcy Parish, Dyson Heppell, Jake Kelly, Jake Stringer, Jayden Laverde, Jordan Ridley, Jye Caldwell, Kyle Langford, Mason Redman, Matt Guelfi, Nic Martin, Nick Bryan, Peter Wright, Sam Durham, Sam Weideman, Will Snelling, Zach Merrett.
Hawthorn: Blake Hardwick, Cameron Mackenzie, Connor MacDonald, Conor Nash, Dylan Moore, Jack Scrimshaw, Jacob Koschitzke, Jai Newcombe, James Blanck, James Worpel, Jarman Impey, Josh Weddle, Karl Amon, Lachie Bramble, Lloyd Meek, Luke Breust, Mitchell Lewis, Ned Reeves, Sam Frost, Seamus Mitchell, Tyler Brockman, Will Day.
Momentum looks to be gathering behind the GWS Giants this season, who are being tipped to go all the way with many AFL betting sites and they take on a North Melbourne side that look to be in the wooden spoon shake up. The GWS Giants have enjoyed an impressive pre-season and look to have the playing staff to compete at the very highest level this season. Meanwhile, North Melbourne endured an awful year in 2023 and they will just want to get out there and let their football do the talking. The GWS Giants are a good side, and they should come out on top here.
| Bookmaker | Sam’s Tip | Odds |
| Total Points – Over 171.5 | $1.85 |
| Winning Margin: GWS Giants 13-24 | $7 |
| GWS Giants to win the match | $1.07 |
Greater Western Sydney: Aaron Cadman, Callan Ward, Callum M Brown, Connor Idun, Daniel Lloyd, Finn Callaghan, H. Himmelberg, Harry Perryman, Jack Buckley, Jake Riccardi, Josh Kelly, Kieren Briggs, Lachie Ash, Lachie Whitfield, Lachlan Keeffe, Nick Haynes, Sam Taylor, Stephen Coniglio, Toby Bedford, Toby Greene, Tom Green, Xavier O'Halloran.
North Melbourne: Aidan Corr, Bailey Scott, Ben McKay, C. Coleman-Jones, Cameron Zurhaar, Eddie Ford, George Wardlaw, Griffin Logue, Harry Sheezel, Hugh Greenwood, Jack Ziebell, Jaidyn Stephenson, Jy Simpkin, Liam Shiels, Luke McDonald, Nick Larkey, Paul Curtis, Phoenix Spicer, Tarryn Thomas, Todd Goldstein, Tom Powell, Will Phillips.
Two sides with serious playoff aspirations meet here at GMHBA, as Geelong take on St Kilda in their season opener. Both sides pushed hard for a top 8 spot last season, ultimately coming up short and they will see rectifying that as their key objective this term. Geelong have recruited in the off season and look to have a strong roster, whilst St Kilda are always a tough side to beat. Picking a winner here is not easy but Geelong are a good side, who should just about have enough to claim a home win.
| Bookmaker | Sam’s Tip | Odds |
| Geelong to win the match | $1.54 |
| Total Points – Over 165.5 | $1.91 |
| Winning Margin: Geelong 1-12 | $5.50 |
Geelong: Bradley Close, Gary Rohan, Isaac Smith, Jack Bowes, Jack Henry, Jake Kolodjashnij, Jed Bews, Jeremy Cameron, Max Holmes, Mitch Duncan, Sam De Koning, Tom Atkins, Tom Hawkins, Tom Stewart, Tyson Stengle, Zach Guthrie, Zach Tuohy.
St Kilda: Anthony Caminiti, Ben Paton, Brad Crouch, Bradley Hill, Callum Wilkie, Dan Butler, Dougal Howard, Jack Higgins, Jack Sinclair, Jack Steele, Jade Gresham, Jimmy Webster, Josh Battle, Liam Stocker, Marcus Windhager, Mason Wood, Mattaes Phillipou, Max King, Mitchito Owens, N. Wanganeen-Milera, Rowan Marshall, Ryan Byrnes.
Breaking the top 8 last season was a big deal for Gold Coast and they have been one of the leading lights so far in 2024 too. A clash with Adelaide awaits next, with neither side necessarily chomping at the bit to get going but both have been touted as sides that could be in the playoff mix with many AFL betting sites. Getting minutes in the legs last weekend and a win could prove decisive for Gold Coast here, who could turn out to be a surprise package this term.
| Bookmaker | Sam’s Tip | Odds |
| Gold Coast to win the match | $1.73 |
| Winning Margin: Gold Coast 1-12 | $6.5 |
| Total Points – Over 169.5 | $1.85 |
Gold Coast: Bailey Humphrey, Ben Ainsworth, Ben King, Ben Long, Brandon Ellis, Brayden Fiorini, Charlie Ballard, Darcy MacPherson, David Swallow, Hewego Paul Oea, Jack Lukosius, Jarrod Witts, Lachie Weller, Levi Casboult, Mac Andrew, Malcolm Rosas, Matthew Rowell, Nick Holman, Noah Anderson, Sam Collins, Sam Flanders, Wil Powell.
Adelaide: Ben Keays, Brodie Smith, Chayce Jones, Darcy Fogarty, Izak Rankine, Jake Soligo, Jordan Dawson, Jordon Butts, Josh Rachele, Josh Worrell, Lachlan Murphy, Lachlan Sholl, Luke Pedlar, Max Michalanney, Mitchell Hinge, Nick Murray, Reilly O'Brien, Riley Thilthorpe, Rory Laird, Rory Sloane, Taylor Walker, Wayne Milera.
Getting back to winning ways will be the key objective for Melbourne, who didn’t look at the races in their opening fixture and they will want to bounce back against the Western Bulldogs. For the visitors, this looks to be a complete free hit in their first game, and they will believe that they have enough to break into the playoff mix this season. However, Melbourne are tough to beat at home and the Demons should pick up their first win of 2024 in front of their home fans here.
| Bookmaker | Sam’s Tip | Odds |
| Melbourne to win the match | $1.67 |
| Total Points – Over 167.5 | $1.80 |
| Bayley Fritsch First Goal Scorer | $9 |
Melbourne: Alex Neal-Bullen, Angus Brayshaw, Bayley Fritsch, Brodie Grundy, Christian Petracca, Christian Salem, Ed Langdon, Harrison Petty, Jack Viney, Jacob Van Rooyen, Jake Lever, James Jordon, Joel Smith, Judd McVee, Kade Chandler, Kysaiah Pickett, Lachie Hunter, Max Gawn, Michael Hibberd, Steven May, Tom Sparrow, Trent Rivers.
Western Bulldogs: Aaron Naughton, Adam Treloar, Alex Keath, Anthony Scott, Bailey Dale, Bailey Smith, Bailey Williams, Caleb Daniel, Cody Weightman, Jack Macrae, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, Laitham Vandermeer, Liam Jones, Marcus Bontempelli, Mitch Hannan, Oskar Baker, Rhylee West, Rory Lobb, Taylor Duryea, Tim English, Tim O'Brien, Tom Liberatore.
Two sides that had very differing campaigns in 2023 face off here, as Port Adelaide welcome the West Coast Eagles to the Oval. Port Adelaide ultimately fell away a little last season but pushed Collingwood all the way and they will be looking to learn from that experience and kick on in 2024. Meanwhile the West Coast Eagles were in wooden spoon strife for much of 2023 and plenty of changes in the group should bring about a change in fortunes.
| Bookmaker | Sam’s Tip | Odds |
| Port Adelaide to win the match | $1.07 |
| Total Points – Over 169.5 | $1.80 |
| Charlie Dixon First Goal Scorer | $9 |
Port Adelaide: Aliir Aliir, Charlie Dixon, Connor Rozee, Dan Houston, Darcy Byrne-Jones, Dylan Williams, J. Horne-Francis, Jed McEntee, Jeremy Finlayson, Josh Sinn, Kane Farrell, Miles Bergman, Ollie Wines, Quinton Narkle, Ryan Burton, Sam Powell-Pepper, Scott Lycett, Todd Marshall, Travis Boak, Trent McKenzie, Willem Drew, Zak Butters.
West Coast: Alex Witherden, Andrew Gaff, Bailey J. Williams, Brady Hough, Dom Sheed, Elijah Hewett, Elliot Yeo, Jack Darling, Jack Petruccelle, Jack Williams, Jayden Hunt, Liam Duggan, Luke Edwards, Luke Shuey, Noah Long, Oscar Allen, Reuben Ginbey, Rhett Bazzo, Ryan Maric, S. Petrevski-Seton, Thomas Barrass, Tim Kelly.
A chastening defeat to Carlton last weekend will still be ringing in the ears for Brisbane and they know they need to bounce back, as they take on old foes Fremantle. The hosts endured a drab campaign in 2023 and they will feel that if they can gather momentum early on, that a playoff push is a realistic aim for them in 2024. Meanwhile, Brisbane are a very strong side, who shouldn’t be deterred by their comeback defeat, and they will look to play on the front foot here. This should be closer than the odds suggest but Brisbane look primed for a win on the road here.
| Bookmaker | Sam’s Tip | Odds |
| Brisbane to win the match | $1.5 |
| Total Points – Over 166.5 | $1.9 |
| Winning Margin: Brisbane 1-12 | $6.5 |
Fremantle: Alex Pearce, Andrew Brayshaw, Brandon Walker, Brennan Cox, Caleb Serong, Ethan Hughes, Hayden Young, Jaeger O'Meara, Jordan Clark, Josh Treacy, Jye Amiss, Lachlan Schultz, Liam Henry, Luke Jackson, Luke Ryan, Matthew Johnson, Michael Walters, Michael Frederick, Nat Fyfe, Neil Erasmus, Sam Switkowski, Sean Darcy.
Brisbane: Brandon Starcevich, Cameron Rayner, Charlie Cameron, Conor McKenna , Darcy Wilmot, Deven Robertson, Eric Hipwood, Harris Andrews, Hugh McCluggage, Jack Payne, Jarrod Berry, Joe Daniher, Josh Dunkley, Lachie Neale, Lincoln McCarthy, Oscar McInerney, Ryan Lester, Zac Bailey.
