Opening Round for the 2025 AFL season is finally here! With a weather induced false start we will get underway in Syndey this Friday night with last years runners up the Sydney Swans hosting the upstart and surprise packet from last season, Hawthorn. This should be an exciting matchup to open the season as the Swans will be looking wash off the embarrassment of last year’s grand final spanking, while the Hawks will be looking to take the next stop towards the top of the league.
Even more excisting than the game itself will the daily fantasy contests, with the opening game drawing a huge $75,000 prize pool in its main contest at Draftstars. In addition, there are a variety of alternate contests:
- AFL $75,000+ Swans vs Hawks
- AFL $10,000+ Swans vs Lions High Roller ($150 Entry)
- AFL $3,000+ Swans vs Lions Mini ($2 Entry)
The AFL Star contest is back again for 2025 and Draftstars are once again offering the biggest prize pool in Australian DFS history with a $1 million guaranteed final with $250,000 top prize! There are qualifiers and satellites running for every AFL match.
Betting Markets
Sydney ($1.86) vs Hawthorn ($1.98)
Points: 170.5
Line: Sydney -1.5
If you’re looking to bet on the AFL this season, then you can bet with PlayUp by using the same account that you have at Draftstars. PlayUp are Australian owned and offer a strong range of AFL betting markets and offers, including Same Game Multis.
Additionally, we have a full AFL Opening Round Betting Previews for both games where we provide our best bet for the game as well as a great value Same Game Multi!
Weather
27 degrees and a shower or two. No sign of the impact of Cyclone Alfred down this far on Friday night although we can expect a slight shower or two through the day that might moisten the SCG ground a touch. Keep an eye on it during the day but at this stage I will be assuming no major impact on fantasy scoring.
Where to Attack?
No shock to see that last year as two of the top teams there were little clear avenues to attack either Sydney or Hawthorn from a fantasy scoring perspective. Over the past 10 rounds of the season the Swans did concede above average points to opposition backs, which would quite likely fit the game script for the Hawks who will likely get their talls behind the ball and have historically controlled possession in this area of the ground.
On the flip side, by the numbers the Hawks were getting killed in the ruck from a fantasy perspective over the last 10 games of the season.
These two sides met only once last season at the MCG in Round 7, which was before the Hawks really hit their stride so there is little to take from it. That said, the Swans did win comfortably and a Swans stack would have been the play given they had 5 players over 100 fantasy points and another 2 above 90.
Game Script – Hawks backs, Swans small forwards
VALUE PLAYS
Sub watch – Tom Hanily ($6,000) was the surprise in for the Swans this week as their midfield has faced injury concerns heading into the opening game. He was pick 14 of the 2024 mid-season draft and averaged 25 disposals for Gippsland in 2024. He was impressive in his preseason game against Gold Coast posting 55 fantasy points from 78% time on ground, which included 2 clearances indicating opportunities through the midfield. He will certainly be a heavy sub watch along with Corey Warner ($6,000). But with Hanily, Warner and Wicks all priced at $6,000 there are options to pivot once final teams are named.
MID PRICED PLAYS
Angus Sheldrick ($10,140) looks to be set to finally get the opportunity to play at his natural position in the senior side with Callum Mills no longer ready to start the season. He was impressive in the preseason match against Gold Coast posting 94 fantasy points from just 73% game time (attending 13 centre bounces) and has been a fantasy point per minute monster at all levels (including senior games).
Another option at this price point would be Justin McInerney ($10,770) who also attended 13 centre bounces in their preseason match.
Tom Papley ($10,290) makes for a nice point of difference play on this slate as he will look to take advantage of the Hawks overly tall backline. With limited options for a matchup and every opportunity to hit the score board, if the Swans can bring the ball to ground in the forward line, Papley has the upside that could break the slate open.
PREMIUM PLAYS
Brodie Grundy ($14,190) has what was one of the better matchups in the league last year for rucks. He and Meek are priced at almost exactly the same point on this slate and as the only two rucks it is literally a decision on who will score the most point for point. Grundy is coming in with a slight injury cloud so if he is a late out, I would switch immediately to the lower priced Peter Ladhams ($10,580) and spend up at other positions.
James Worpel ($12,420) has had an elite preseason and looks to be right back to his best every form in this young Hawks midfield. He was their standout in the preseason loss to the Bulldogs racking up 28 touches en route to 116 fantasy points while attending a team high 16 centre bounces. The SCG ground and contested matchup against the Swans will also suit his game style.
Suggested Draftstars Lineup
