The 2025 AFL season gets underway on Thursday, March 6th with the second instalment of Opening Round. Eight teams begin their season that weekend, while the remaining 10 will be in action the following week.
So, with less than two weeks to go until the 2025 season begins, it’s the perfect time to take a look at all the main futures markets and try to find some value. Here, we dive into the team markets, while we’ll have a separate article for the player markets coming up shortly.
And as always, Before You Bet will have you covered with a full preview and betting tips for every single game of the 2025 AFL season, so make sure to check out our AFL Tips regularly to keep up to date with all of our free AFL content.
AFL 2025 Team Futures Betting Tips
Premiership Winner
Each year, about half a dozen clubs enter the season with a genuine shot at winning the premiership, with the occasional outlier like the Western Bulldogs in 2016. Typically, though, it’s a team expected to contend that ends up lifting the trophy. The GWS Giants were premiership favourites at $8 heading into last season, and while they secured a top-four finish, their campaign ended in a heartbreaking five-point loss to eventual premiers Brisbane in the semi-finals.
This year, they’ve flown under the radar, sitting on the third line of betting at $9.50 behind the Lions ($7.50) and the resurgent Hawks ($8). Other contenders include the Blues, Magpies, Cats, and Swans, all listed at $12 or shorter. But for pure value, the Giants stand out at nearly 10-1 odds. They finished fourth last season and still have plenty of room for improvement.
Aaron Cadman took a big step forward in 2024 and should only get better, while Sam Taylor—arguably the best defender in the league—is still only 25 and will hopefully get a better run with health in 2025. The Green(e)'s will miss the opening rounds but should return when it matters most, and Finn Callaghan, fresh off rejecting a record-breaking Saints offer, is primed for a big year.
With Coleman Medal winner Jesse Hogan leading the attack and Brent Daniels adding firepower at ground level, GWS has all the pieces to make a serious push for their first flag.
GWS to Win Premiership
$9.50
To Make Top 4
One of the most interesting betting markets this season is the ‘To Make Top 4’ market, and one team that immediately stands out is the Hawks. After starting 0-5 in 2024, they turned their season around, finishing with a 14-4 record over the final 18 rounds and narrowly missing the top four by just one win. They reinforced their defence in the off-season by adding Tom Barrass and Josh Battle, giving them a much stronger backbone behind the ball. With elite talent across the field, their only real question mark is in the key forward department. The Hawks face a tough opening six rounds in 2025, but if they can emerge from that stretch at 4-2 or even 3-3, they’ll be difficult to keep out of the top four by season’s end.
Another team worth considering for a top-four finish is Fremantle. While they finished 10th last season, they were only three wins away from the top four and cost themselves a finals spot by choking in the fourth quarter of multiple games. They also collapsed in the final month of the season, going 0-4 in the last four rounds. The addition of Shai Bolton adds much-needed firepower, and with several young players primed to improve through natural development, the Dockers have the potential to make a serious push. At near 4-1 odds, there’s every chance they surge up the ladder and challenge for a top-four spot in 2025.
Also Consider: Fremantle Make Top 4 – $3.80 at Bet365
Hawthorn Make Top 4
$2.10
To Miss Top 8
Another market worth considering for investment is the ‘To Miss Top 8’ market. One team I believe could slide in 2025 is the Bulldogs. They finished sixth last season with a 14-9 record but have endured a turbulent pre-season, with several key players battling injuries. Adam Treloar, Cody Weightman, Liam Jones, and Jason Johannisen will all miss the start of the season, while the availability of Tim English and Aaron Naughton remains uncertain. Compounding their issues, they face a brutal start to the season, with four of their first five games coming against sides expected to finish in the top eight. If they struggle early while undermanned, they could find themselves too far behind the eight ball to recover and secure a finals spot in 2025.
Another team I see missing September action is the Crows. They narrowly missed the finals in 2023 before experiencing a disappointing 2024 campaign, managing just eight wins. To qualify for the top eight in 2025, they would likely need to win at least five more games, and based on their current squad, that seems like a significant stretch. Adelaide hasn’t made enough meaningful additions to their list and still lacks the overall quality required to push for a 13+ win season.
Also Backing: Adelaide Miss Top 8 – $1.60 at TopSport
Western Bulldogs Miss Top 8
$2.00
Season Wins Over/Under
North Melbourne
After five years of irrelevance, is this finally the season North Melbourne take a significant step up the AFL ladder? Over the past five seasons, they have managed just 3, 4, 2, 3, and 3 wins, but there is growing optimism that they can at least double last year’s tally. Years at the bottom have allowed them to stockpile elite young talent through the draft, and now they boast a squad stacked with first-round picks. To complement that, they have added experienced players like Luke Parker and Caleb Daniel, who should provide leadership and stability.
Their total wins line is set at 5.5, but that feels at least one win too low. With Harry Sheezel, Nick Larkey, Luke Davies-Uniacke, and Tristan Xerri already stars, and plenty of young guns littered across the field, North finally have the pieces to show real improvement. This is the year they must start repaying the faith of their supporters, and while a finals push is still out of reach, they have the talent to be far more competitive than in recent years. A leap forward is overdue, and 2025 could be the beginning of a genuine resurgence.
Suggested Bet: North Melbourne Over 5.5 – $1.70 at TopSport
Gold Coast
After 14 years in the AFL, is 2025 finally the year Gold Coast break through for a positive win-loss record? Last season, they came agonisingly close with an 11-12 finish, but there’s every reason to believe they can at least go one better this year. They have bolstered their defence by adding half-back flankers Daniel Rioli and John Noble, with Rioli set to provide much-needed pace and creativity out of the backline, while Noble adds valuable depth. Up forward, Ben King has another pre-season under his belt after kicking a career-best 55 goals last year, giving the Suns a reliable key target. Their midfield remains one of the most stacked in the competition, and with Damien Hardwick now entering his second year as coach, the team should only improve under his guidance.
Adding to the optimism is their favourable fixture to start the season, with their first six games coming against the Bombers, Eagles, Demons, Crows, Kangaroos, and Tigers. If they can capitalise on this early stretch, momentum will be on their side, and confidence will grow. With the right mix of talent and experience, this could finally be the season where the Suns crack the 12-win mark and make a genuine push for finals.
Suggested Bet: Gold Coast Over 11.5 – $2.00 at Ladbrokes
St Kilda
Not every team’s season unfolds as planned, and each year, there are always a few teams that slide down the ladder. In 2025, St Kilda looks like one of those teams. They finished last season with 11 wins, but their current season line sits at 10.5, which feels at least one or two wins too high. While Ross Lyon is a tactical mastermind who often gets the most out of his side, the Saints’ list simply doesn’t have the talent to consistently win more games than they lose.
The signing of Jack Macrae from the Bulldogs is solid, but he doesn’t solve their biggest midfield issue—lack of pace. To make matters worse, they lost Josh Battle to Hawthorn, and their best young player, Mattaes Phillipou, suffered a pre-season injury that could sideline him for up to 12 weeks. Rowan Marshall, arguably their most important player, has had an interrupted pre-season, while key forward Max King has also missed significant training time. With so many concerns surrounding fitness, squad depth, and overall quality, it’s difficult to see St Kilda reaching double-digit wins. Unless things drastically improve, the Saints look set for a step back in 2025.
Suggested Bet: St Kilda Under 10.5 – $1.87 at Neds
