AFL Betting 2025

AFL betting is a fun pastime and can be profitable if you know how to bet on the AFL, there’s no doubt it - I simply love it and I think you will too. The point of this guide is to show you what betting on the AFL is all about. I’ll give you some key betting strategies to follow as well as the top AFL betting sites that I think you should be using. Let’s get into it!

Best AFL Betting Sites

AFL Explained: Rules, Structure & Format

The Australian Football League (AFL) is the premier competition in Australian Rules Football and has millions of fans rooting for teams across the country. With its fast-paced, physical game and a rich history, Aussie Rules is highly anticipated during the winter season. It started in 1897 as the Victorian Football League (VFL) and has since grown into a national competition by the 1990s, as the AFL we see today.

In what follows, we summarise the main rules and mention all the current AFL teams, with a history of Premiership winners.

Game Rules

  • Each match is a contest between two teams of 18 players per match on the field, with up to four interchange players.
  • There are four quarters in the match, that is 20 minutes of play time (plus time-on).
  • The goal is for each team to score more points by kicking the ball through the middle goal posts (6 points) or aiming at the outer posts (1 point).
  • There are two ways through which players can pass the ball, which are via handballing and kicking. Throwing is not allowed.
  • Tackling is allowed, however, it must be in accordance with certain rules as not to cause high or dangerous contact. Players will get suspended if they perform dangerous conduct.

Season Structure

  • The regular season runs from March to September with 18 teams competing.
  • The top eight teams on the ladder advance to the finals series.

Finals Format

After the regular season finishes, the top 8 teams on the ladder start a finals series. The AFL Grand Final is traditionally held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on the last Saturday in September.

Qualifying and Elimination Finals

  • QF1 - 1st vs 4th
  • EF1 - 5th vs 8th
  • EF2 - 6th vs 7th
  • QF2 - 5th vs 8th

Semi Finals

  • SF1 - Loser of QF1 vs Winner of EF1
  • SF2 - Loser of QF2 vs Winner of EF2

Preliminary Finals

  • PF1 - Winner of QF1 vs Winner of SF2 
  • PF2  - Winner of SF1 vs Winner of QF2

Grand Final

Winner of PF1 vs Winner of PF2

AFL Premiership History by Team

TeamEstablishedPremierships WonPremiership Years
Adelaide Crows199121997, 1998
Brisbane Lions1996 (merged)32001, 2002, 2003
Carlton1864161906, 1907, 1908, 1914, 1915, 1938, 1945, 1947, 1968, 1970, 1972, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1987, 1995
Collingwood1892161902, 1903, 1917, 1919, 1927–1930, 1935, 1936, 1953, 1958, 1990, 2010, 2023
Essendon1872161897, 1901, 1911, 1912, 1923, 1924, 1942, 1946, 1949, 1950, 1962, 1965, 1984, 1985, 1993, 2000
Fremantle19940-
Geelong Cats1859101925, 1931, 1937, 1951, 1952, 1963, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2022
Gold Coast Suns20090-
GWS Giants20090-
Hawthorn1902131961, 1971, 1976, 1978, 1983, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1991, 2008, 2013, 2014, 2015
Melbourne1858131900, 1926, 1939, 1940, 1941, 1948, 1955–1957, 1959, 1960, 1964, 2021
North Melbourne186941975, 1977, 1996, 1999
Port Adelaide1997 (AFL)12004
Richmond1885131920, 1921, 1932, 1934, 1943, 1967, 1969, 1973, 1974, 1980, 2017, 2019, 2020
St Kilda187311966
Sydney Swans (South Melbourne)187451909, 1918, 1933, 2005, 2012
West Coast Eagles198641992, 1994, 2006, 2018
Western Bulldogs187721954, 2016

Note: The Brisbane Lions were formed when the Brisbane Bears and Fitzroy merged together in the mid-90s. South Melbourne became the Sydney Swans in 1982.

Top AFL Betting Sites

Betting on AFL action has become an essential feature of the footy experience for fans, as there are markets available for everything from the match winner and margin to player disposals and Brownlow Medal futures.

Here is a comparison of the best AFL betting sites, what kind of betting bonuses they have and what sets each site apart.

BookmakerWhy Choose?What Makes It Relevant to AFL Betting
PlayUpBest AFL Daily Fantasy Provider
  • Around 200+ markets per game for the regular season and finals
  • Same Game Multi on Saturday AFL promos
  • AFL Futures betting - Brownlow, Rising Star etc
  • AFL Live betting odds
  • Multi Maker
  • Player props
  • AFL Same Game Multi
  • Fast Same Game Multi (suggested multis in different price categories, such as under $5 or over $20)
  • Mobile apps
  • Play AFL Daily Fantasy as well - the only provider in Aus
BoomBetBest AFL Promos & Offers
  • AFL Same Game Multi
  • Player props
  • Quick Same Game Multi - a list of recommended or popular multis from $1.50 to $10 
  • 3+ leg same game multi AFL betting promos - get bonus bets if one leg loses
  • Mobile apps
  • AFL Futures betting
  • Markets for every game - around 100+
  • Boosted AFL odds
UnibetBest AFL Stats & Insights
  • Massive range of AFL markets, some games have 700+ betting options
  • Statistics and live scores available
  • Player props
  • Live betting odds
  • Betting apps on Apple and Android
  • Sports rewards feature - multi bonus back offers, for example
  • Weekly sports multi boosts
  • Live streaming niche sports (not AFL)
DabbleBest AFL Mobile App
  • Mobile only betting site, the only one in Aus
  • Follow other dabble users, such as retired AFL players, Dane Swan from the Pies
  • Copy other peoples bets
  • 4+ leg multi promos, if 1 leg fails, get cash back
  • Get paid every time someone copies your bet
  • Player props multi builder - disposals, goals, marks, tackles
  • Chat with other punters
Bet365Best AFL Odds
  • Great odds
  • Same Game Multi
  • Bet Boost
  • Player Multi
  • Futures betting - bet on a team to win the Grand Final at any time
  • Ladder - view the AFL ladder
  • Mobile apps
  • Bet on live odds
  • International betting giant
  • Biggest range of payment methods
PalmerbetBest AFL Futures
  • Massive range of AFL futures betting markets - bet on a team to make the top 4, bet on awards like Brownlow and Rising Star, bet on Brownlow Medal team votes during the season
  • Player props available 
  • Same game multi 
  • Mobile apps
  • AFL stats and insights - head to head stats, lineups, ladder, comparisons
  • Sports multi builder
Bet RightBest AFL Player Props
  • Over 300 markets for every game of AFL
  • Bet on futures, rising star, Brownlow Medal, Coleman Medal and betting on AFL Grand Final
  • Mobile apps
  • Good range of player props - disposals, disposals groups, goalscorer, player goals, match goals, marks, tackles
  • Bet on AFL fantasy
  • AFL promos - same game multi second life for Thursday and Friday AFL (place a 3+ leg and if 1 leg loses, get your stake back)
BetfocusBest AFL Line Odds
  • AFL markets for every game - around 60 per game
  • Anytime goal scorer
  • Sports Multi Boost promos
  • AFL Same Game Multi
  • Thursday night $2 lines
  • Mobile apps

AFL Betting Strategy

Smart AFL betting Australia does not mean simply betting on your favourite team every week; it is about making smart decisions based on crucial information and trends.

Here are 10 effective AFL betting strategies that I think AFL punters should follow in order to improve their chances of success:

  1. Choose a Reputable Betting Site: Begin at a bookmaker that provides excellent AFL content, attractive odds, as well as features such as Same Game Multis, early payout, live stats, and AFL betting promos. The table above should give you a good guide, such as I think the best AFL betting app is definitely Dabble and the top site for AFL futures betting should be Palmerbet. Also, be careful with new betting sites as they don’t always have the most advanced features.
  2. Monitor Injuries and Team News: Injuries and even late withdrawals can have a significant impact on the outcomes of matches. Always double check final team lists and late changes before the bounce, particularly in terms of crucial midfielders and rucks, an hour before the bounce.
  3. Check the Weather Forecast: Wet weather can produce low scoring matches and closer margins. This affects totals, margin betting, disposals markets too. If there are predictions of bad weather, adjust your bets accordingly.
  4. Study Venue and Travel Factors: Teams usually play better at home, and some interstate clubs have a problem with travel, such as the Gold Coast Suns playing in other states. Take into account the venue, crowd influence, and home/away records, especially in long trips to Perth or Tasmania.
  5. Head to Head History: Most of the time, past meetings of teams bring some patterns to the surface, which is valid in most sports, such as NRL betting. Certain clubs meet well when it comes to the style of play. Reviewing the recent results can indicate trends. For example, Geelong haven’t lost against North Melbourne since 2016 (13-0).
  6. Understand Game Styles: Teams have various styles of play – fast and attacking, defensive and contested ball. Being aware of how these styles clash can enable the prediction of scoring patterns and the performance of players.
  7. Use Advanced Stats: Look into data such as inside 50s, disposal efficiency, clearance numbers and pressure act. It’s a bit like a form guide in Horse racing betting. These stats provide a more realistic image of form outside the scoreboard and aid in player and team-based props.
  8. Look for Line Movements: Bookmakers move lines and odds in relation to many factors, similar to Melbourne Cup betting before the big race. In case a line changes dramatically early in the week, it might signal sharp money or inside information. Get on good value before correction takes place.
  9. Manage Your Bankroll: Effective punting is a matter of long-term discipline rather than trial-balancing losses or throwing large amounts of money at multis every week. You can also use this strategy for Tennis betting or any other sport for that matter.
  10. Bet with a Purpose: Each bet must have a reason behind it, whether it is inspired by stats, conditions, or a tactical matchup. Try not to do casual or ‘gut-feel’ bets.

AFL Betting Tips

AFL betting tips have become a golden tool for punters seeking an advantage in potentially one of Australia’s most unpredictable and fast paced sports. 

In a long winter season, with weekly line-up changes, injuries and the elements that come with it, and changes in form, you may need much more than a gut feeling to make a profit in AFL markets. It takes solid research, deep analysis, and an understanding of matchups / trends. That’s where the professional AFL betting tips enter the game.

It doesn’t matter if you are backing a head to head result, first goal scorer markets or individual player props such as disposals or tackles, having the exposure to expert knowledge can assist in finding something that could be missed and missed by the general market. 

The most successful tipsters do not only analyse stats and form but also throw in team dynamics, weather conditions and ground advantage, which in most instances determine the outcome of close matches. For new punters, tips also filter serve as a guide to market movement and types of bets for the experienced.

Coming Soon: Weekly AFL Tips - AustralianBettingSites.net.au will have a dedicated section on top of this segment with expert predictions and betting previews, and AFL best bets for every round of the Aussie Rules season. Stay tuned!

AFL Betting FAQs

Here are five of the most frequently asked questions about AFL betting, perfect for new punters or anyone looking to improve their knowledge of our great game.

The most common AFL betting markets cover head-to-head (match winner), line betting (handicap), total points (over/under), and margin betting (e.g., win by 1-39 and 40+). Same Game Multis and player props (such as disposals and goals) are also immensely popular.

Odds are usually released by bookmakers on Sunday or Monday after the last round. There can be odd fluctuations throughout the week depending on news about a team, weather or betting activity.

Yes, live bets are available at most AFL bookmakers, but in Australia, the live bets can only be made over the phone as per government regulations.

A Same Game multi enables you to combine several bets from the same game (for example, a team to win; a player to kick 2+ goals; and another to get 25+ disposals) into a single bet. It is available at the majority of bookmakers.

Very important. Last minute changes, especially in key players, can sway betting markets. Always have a backup strategy if something changes, especially if the Cats are playing, Chris Scott loves a late change!