The second cab off the rank in Saturday AFL Round 1 action will be a Grand Final rematch, as Sydney look to exact revenge when they host Brisbane at the SCG. With both clubs littered with stars across the field, you can expect another high quality display. As always, we bring you our full match preview, best bet, and Same Game Multi below!
Also, Before You Bet will be providing free previews and betting tips for EVERY game in the 2025 AFL season, so make sure to head over to out our AFL Tips regularly to keep up to date with all of our free content.
Sydney vs Brisbane
Location: SCG – Sydney
Date: Saturday, 15th March
Time: 4:15pm AEDT
Odds: Sydney ($2.10) vs Brisbane ($1.75)
Line: Brisbane -4.5
Points: 180.5
Odds and lines provided with thanks to BoomBet. Note that odds and lines can fluctuate throughout the week, and are correct at the time of writing.
Match Preview
Sydney will be looking to redeem themselves after last year’s Grand Final humiliation at the hands of Brisbane, where they suffered a 60-point defeat. However, their 2025 campaign did not get off to the ideal start, with a disappointing 20-point loss at home to Hawthorn on Opening Round. The Swans struggled around the contest, losing the clearance battle and failing to apply enough defensive pressure to prevent the Hawks from scoring freely. With several key players missing through injury, they will need a significant improvement to challenge the Lions. Sydney has made two changes for this clash, with Joel Hamling and debutant Riley Bice coming in for Taylor Adams and Angus Sheldrick. Adams' hamstring injury will keep him sidelined for at least a month, adding to an already worrying injury list that includes Harry Cunningham, Callum Mills, Robbie Fox, Errol Gulden, and Logan McDonald.
Brisbane were originally scheduled to open their season last weekend against Geelong, but Cyclone Alfred forced the match to be postponed, meaning this will be their first competitive hit-out of the year. The Lions enter the season as one of the premiership favourites once again, boasting an elite midfield and a dynamic forward line that can punish opposition defences. While they have been impacted by injuries, with Keidean Coleman, Tom Doedee, Darcy Gardiner, and Lincoln McCarthy all sidelined due to knee issues, they have a strong enough squad to cover for those absences. The club will also unveil a debutant of their own, with Levi Ashcroft, a highly touted father-son selection, set to play alongside his brother Will. The Lions’ midfield, featuring stars like Lachie Neale, Hugh McCluggage, and Josh Dunkley, is among the competition’s best, and they will look to take full advantage of Sydney’s undermanned engine room.
The Swans will be desperate to respond after last week’s underwhelming showing, but they will need to find a way to win more contested possessions and limit Brisbane’s efficiency inside 50. With Adams joining Mills and Gulden on the injury list, Sydney’s depth will be tested against a Lions side that thrives in high-pressure situations. While the home crowd at the SCG should give the Swans a lift, their struggles in the midfield last week are concerning, especially against an opponent as strong as Brisbane. If the Lions can get the game played on their terms, they should have the firepower to capitalise and claim their first win of the season. Given the form and personnel of both teams, Brisbane looks well-placed to extend their dominance over Sydney with another victory.
Brisbane to Win
$1.82 (1.5 Units)
Same Game Multi
Throughout the 2025 AFL season we’ll be putting together a fun same game multi for every match at BoomBet using their BetShare feature.
To follow our multi, just click on the BoomBet BetShare button below and our same game multi selections will be added straight into your bet slip on BoomBet. You can then enter how much you wish to wager, and with a single click, your bet has been placed!
Kai Lohmann 1+ Goals – Coming off a breakout season, there’s no reason why Lohmann won’t continue on his upward trajectory in 2025. I expect him to be frequently hitting the scoreboard.
Matt Roberts 25+ Disposals – Has a juicy role behind the ball and just finds plenty of it. 26 touches last weekend and will be racking them up again here.
Will Ashcroft 25+ Disposals – A Norm Smith in his most recent outing, Ashcroft looks poised to take the competition by storm this year. I expect his numbers to have a big spike.
SGM Odds: $5.75 at BoomBet
