There may not be any AFL on this weekend but footy fans can still get their fix with the 2024 AFLW season getting underway. All 18 clubs will be in action across three days, starting with a double-header on Friday night. We bring you our best bets for all nine games below!
Also, make sure to head over to our AFL Tips page regularly for our best bets for every AFLW round, as well as all upcoming AFL finals!
AFLW Round 1 Betting Tips
Sydney vs Collingwood
Friday 7:15pm AEST, North Sydney Oval
In great news for the Swans, star ruck Ally Morphett has been named despite serious doubt due to a foot injury. She was the #1 ruck in the competition last season and is crucial to their success. Unfortunately for the Pies, their best player in Bri Davey has been unable to overcome an ankle injury and will miss Round 1.
The Swans defeated the Pies by 19 points in their meeting in 2023 as they enjoyed their best season in their short history. They made the finals whereas the Pies finished down in 11th. The young Swans should only improve this season and with no Davey for the Pies, I have the Swans getting the job done at home.
Sydney By 1-24
$2.40 (1 Unit)
West Coast vs Richmond
Friday 9:15pm AEST, Mineral Resources Park
The Eagles managed just the two wins last season but will be hopeful of at least a couple more with Daisy Pearce now at the helm, coupled with another preseason under the belt for their young stars. Allison Drennan also comes across from the Suns to provide some quality and experience in the middle, which may allow superstar Ella Roberts to spend more time forward.
For the Tigers, they finished 5-5 last year and narrowly missed the eight, so they’ll be looking to get back in the mix. An untimely injury to Sarah Hosking sees her both miss Round 1 as well as the opportunity to play against her sister Jess (WCE). Reigning league B&F winner Mon Conti will have the keys once again in the midfield, while Katie Brennan is the star of the show up forward.
The Tigers have been priced as the short-priced favourites first up and while they do deserve to be favourites, I believe the Eagles will show improvement this season and can keep this one close. I love them to cover the spread here.
West Coast +23.5
$1.80 (2 Units)
GWS vs Western Bulldogs
Saturday 1:05pm AEST, Manuka Oval
Interesting battle here between two clubs expected to be contending for the wooden spoon. The Dogs won just one game en route to the spoon in 2023 while the Giants finished with only a pair of wins to their name.
Of the two clubs, the Giants clearly have the more upside in my opinion. Zarlie Goldsworthy took the competition by storm last year at only 19yo and will be massive again, forming a dynamic partnership with Alyce Parker. And with Tarni Evans down back, there’s certainly enough talent at the Giants to move up the ladder in 2024.
The Dogs will be a bit of a one-woman band this year with Ellie Blackburn the standout player. She has a huge task on her hands to keep the Dogs competitive. Regardless, the Giants should be coming out on top on Saturday.
GWS to Win
$1.68 (1.5 Units)
Essendon vs Fremantle
Saturday 3:05pm AEST, Windy Hill
The Bombers enjoyed a push up the ladder in 2023 where they finished 7th before bowing out to the Suns by 14 points in the finals. Bonnie Toogood and Maddy Prespakis return to lead the side, while they also have plenty of young guns expected to sharply improve.
For the Dockers, they’ll be without superstar Kiara Bowers this season due to pregnancy as well as Ange Stannett who ruptured her ACL. This leaves the Dockers extremely thin in the middle of the park and some fresh faces will need to step up.
I worry for the Dockers this season and can’t see them improving on their 13th placed finish last campaign. I expect the Dons to win comfortably in this clash at Windy Hill.
Essendon -8.5
$1.90 (1.5 Units)
Gold Coast vs St Kilda
Saturday 5:05pm AEST, People First Stadium
The Suns will be looking for further improvement on what was a promising 2023 season. Charlie Rowbottom emerged as a superstar of the competition and if her practice match is anything to go by, she could become the league’s best player as early as this year. She leads the Suns side that finished 5th last season and has bigger prospects on the horizon.
The Saints are also a team on the march up the ladder although they’ll be without one of their key players in Georgia Patrikios who was injured in the practice match. Her return remains TBC. The Saints missed the 8 by percentage last season but have a young and improving list that could do some damage in 2024.
Regardless, the Suns are a club I think can upset some of the big teams on their day. They look to be a solid bet in the 1-24 range against the Saints.
Gold Coast By 1-24
$2.40 (1 Unit)
Geelong vs Melbourne
Saturday 7:15pm AEST, GMHBA Stadium
The Cats were one of the big improvers last campaign and almost made it to the Grand Final. They lost to the eventual premiers in the Lions by four points in the prelim showing just how dangerous a proposition they are. Georgie Prespakis is an absolute star in the middle and will be key to their chances once again.
The Dees went into last campaign as the reigning premiers but simply weren’t good enough in the finals. Reports are that star forward Kate Hore will spend more time in the midfield where they lacked last season, hopefully helping the team gain more territory.
I like the move of Hore into the middle and although the Cats finished last season off better of the pair, I think the Dees are very unlucky to be underdogs here. They’ve made two of the past three Grand Finals for a reason and can cause a minor upset in this one.
Melbourne to Win
$2.25 (1 Unit)
Port Adelaide vs Adelaide
Saturday 7:45pm AEST, Alberton Oval
It’s been a tough start for the Power in the AFLW who were one of the last teams to join the now full competition. However, they still won a couple of games last season and showcased some very good young players. They added another future and potentially present star in 18yo Shineah Goody who absolutely dominated the practice match.
The Crows are always in the mix for the premiership and that won’t change this season. Ebony Marinoff is one of the best in the league and will dominate in the midfield, while her usual running partner in Anne Hatchard is expected to play more forward this year in a bit of a changeup after last season’s disappointing finals campaign.
The Crows are by far the better team in this matchup on paper, but the Power have a number of young stars that are capable of keeping this closer than the current handicap suggests. I think they can cover the big margin first up.
Port Adelaide +26.5
$1.90 (1 Unit)
Hawthorn vs Carlton
Sunday 1:05pm AEST, Kinetic Stadium
The Hawks, much like their men’s counterparts, are expected to achieve significant growth in 2024. They were competitive in a lot of games last season despite coming away with just three wins. New coach Daniel Webster is likely to tweak a few things and just might have the club push towards a finals berth.
Similarly, the Blues will be hopeful of a resurgence in 2024 after a disappointing last campaign where they notched only four wins. Darcy Vescio is expected to play further up the ground, while the likes of Keeley Sherar in the midfield could leap into star status.
This is probably the toughest match to get a read on this week and you could make a case for both sides winning. However, I do slightly prefer what the Hawks are building and can see them winning in a tight one.
Hawthorn By 1-24
$2.35 (1 Unit)
Brisbane vs North Melbourne
Sunday 3:05pm AEST, Brighton Homes Arena
Footy fans are greeted with a Grand Final rematch to close our Round 1 in the AFLW. The Lions of course got the chocolates on the final day last season in what was somewhat of a surprising result in my opinion. They bring back a similar core once again and will be well placed.
Likewise, North have doubled down by bringing a very similar squad that saw them make the Grand Final for the first time. Jassie Garner and Ash Riddell will be the key pieces once again and looked fantastic in the practice match,
North are my pick to win it all this season as I think their list profile is fantastic and they’ve all been together for a while now. They’re a great price to get one back on the Lions first up.
North Melbourne to Win
$2.42 (1.5 Units)
