The relative plight of some of the big names in the opening weeks of the 2024 AFL season has been remarkable and punters and AFL betting sites are lining up to predict how the season ahead will pan out. Game week 3 promises to provide even more drama and it should be fascinating viewing for all AFL fans.
AFL 2024 Round 3
Brisbane vs Collingwood
The two best sides in the AFL last year have endured rough starts to 2024 and they will both be chomping at the bit to get back on track here. Brisbane are a side packed with talent and two defeats from their opening two games is certainly not the start they would have wanted this term. Collingwood meanwhile have been dropping like a stone, with their latest defeat at St Kilda shocking many punters and AFL betting sites. Calling this one is tough, with both sides out of form but Brisbane are strong at home and they could pile more misery on the Magpies.
| Bookmaker | Tips | Odds |
 | Total Points – Over 161.5 | $1.95 |
 | Winning Margin: Brisbane 1-12 | $6 |
 | Brisbane to win the match | $1.40 |
Predicted Squads
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.
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
North Melbourne vs Carlton
It has been another chastening start to the season for North Melbourne and they aren’t predicted to pull up too many trees here with big nor small betting sites, as they take on Carlton. Two heavy defeats in their opening two games hasn’t fueled North Melbourne fans with too much confidence and they look to have a long season ahead. Meanwhile, Carlton are going well, having won their opening 2 games and they will be hoping to go the distance this term. This will be one-way traffic and Carlton should collect a solid away win.
| Bookmaker | Tips | Odds |
| Total Points – Over 153.5 | $1.70 |
| Winning Margin: Carlton 13-24 | $5.50 |
| Carlton to win the match | $1.15 |
Predicted Squads
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.
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.
Fremantle vs Adelaide
One of the early season surprise packages has been Fremantle and they will be looking to maintain their 100% start to the campaign against Adelaide. How far Fremantle can go this term remains to be seen but they have been playing with freedom of late and they don’t look to fear anybody. Meanwhile, Adelaide are struggling for form, having lost both of their two games played and this is a tough assignment. This won’t be a landslide, but Fremantle should pick up another win at home here.
| Bookmaker | Tips | Odds |
| Taylor Walker – First Goal Scorer | $9.50 |
| Fremantle to win the match | $1.54 |
| Total Points – Over 153.5 | $1.85 |
Predicted Squads
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.
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.
Essendon vs St Kilda
Melbourne pride will be up for grabs once again here, as the Bombers take on the Saints. Essendon struggled to impart themselves on the Sydney Swans last weekend and need to develop a sense of consistency to their game sooner rather than later. Meanwhile, St Kilda’s win over Collingwood alerted plenty of punters and AFL betting sites, and who knows how far they could go this season. This will be fiery and frenetic, but St Kilda look to be playing with calmness this season and they could well prevail.
| Bookmaker | Tips | Odds |
| Total Points – Over 161.5 | $1.85 |
| Winning Margin: St Kilda 13-24 | $7.00 |
| St Kilda to win the match | $1.62 |
Predicted Squads
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.
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.
Port Adelaide vs Melbourne
Two sides currently sat inside the top 4 in the AFL table meet here, as Port Adelaide welcome Melbourne to the Adelaide Oval. Port look to have picked up where they left off last season and although they ultimately came up short in their AFL title bid, they remain a force to be reckoned with and they will be looking to go even further this time around. Melbourne remain one of the steadiest sides in the AFL and they will want to rattle into Port Adelaide here. This could be a very entertaining one, with Port Adelaide potentially having too much in the tank at home.
| Bookmaker | Tips | Odds |
| Port Adelaide to win the match | $1.50 |
| Total Points – Over 161.5 | $1.87 |
| Winning Margin: Port Adelaide 1-12 | $6.50 |
Predicted Squads
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.
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 vs West Coast
It looks to be another long season ahead for West Coast, who are once again the favourites for the wooden spoon in 2024 and they will want to silence a few doubters this term. They travel to the Western Bulldogs next, a side that can’t seem to generate the consistency they want but who have plenty of dangerous players in their ranks. West Coast aren’t predicted to trouble the scores here with many punters and AFL betting sites, with the Western Bulldogs seemingly primed for a healthy home win.
| Bookmaker | Tips | Odds |
| Western Bulldogs to win the match | $1.15 |
| Winning Margin: Western Bulldogs 1-39 | $3.00 |
| Total Points – Over 185.5 | $2.05 |
Predicted Squads
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.
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.
Richmond vs Sydney
Momentum is really starting to build around the Sydney Swans, with plenty of pundits wondering if this indeed could be their year and next up is a tricky looking trip to Richmond. The hosts have been poor this season, losing all 3 of their opening games and they will be chasing that one result that could kick start their campaign. Meanwhile, confidence is soaring through the Sydney Swans camp, and they will see this one as another chance to put points on the board. It won’t be an easy one, but Sydney should come out with another win in the bag here.
| Bookmaker | Tips | Odds |
| Sydney to win the match | $1.33 |
| Total Points – Over 159.5 | $1.78 |
| Logan McDonald First Goal Scorer | $11 |
Predicted Squads
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.
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
Hawthorn vs Geelong
Two sides with very differing starts to the campaign meet here, as Hawthorn host Geelong. For the Hawks, the start of the season has been tough, two heavy defeats have left them 17th and they look to be lacking in ideas and inspiration currently. Meanwhile, Geelong, have won two from two and look to be chasing a third win of the season in this one, which they will be full of confidence for. Hawthorn won’t subside easily, but Geelong are going well, and they should pick up yet another important win in this one.
| Bookmaker | Tips | Odds |
| Geelong to win the match | $1.36 |
| Total Points – Over 169.5 | $1.90 |
| Tom Hawkins First Goal Scorer | $8.00 |
Predicted Squads
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.
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.
