AFL 2025 Round 24 – Betting Tips, Odds & Predictions

Just one week remains in the AFL home and away season – or one and a half, if you’re the Gold Coast Suns – but there is still quite a lot to be determined when it comes to the finals make-up. Incredibly there is just a game between the Cats in 2nd and the Dockers in 7th, with the Dogs and Suns loitering menacingly only a game further back. Most of the nine teams fighting for finals spots have what should be easy wins, with a couple of exceptions; the Dogs play the Dockers on Sunday with the loser likely to miss the eight, while later that day the Lions host the Hawks with the winner set to finish top four, and the loser to miss. There will be plenty of compelling viewing over the course of the weekend, and below you can check out the AFL tips and previews from our resident footy expert at Australianbettingsites for all nine Round 24 games.

Odds provided by Playup

• Date: Thursday, 21st of August
• First bounce: 7.30pm AEST
• Venue: MCG, Melbourne 
• Broadcast info: Fox Footy

Bookmaker	Bombers Odds	Blues Odds
	$4.50	$1.20
	$4.50	$1.21
	$4.50	$1.20

Match Analysis

The final round of the season kicks off with an inconsequential game between two historic rivals. The Bombers and the Blues have played in plenty of memorable clashes over the years, but this won’t likely be one of them, with both teams having endured relatively miserable seasons and set to miss the finals comfortably.

The Bombers have been injury-riddled, but 11 consecutive losses is still a grim return for them. The Blues, meanwhile, are coming off a rare win having beaten the Power by 54 points last weekend, though given their opponents have had a similarly disappointing season that was nothing much to write home about.

The Bombers have been a nearly permanent fixture on Thursday or Friday night in recent weeks, but fortunately this will be the last time this year we see them in primetime. They were competitive against the Saints last weekend and have at least uncovered a couple of decent players over the year, but even the Blues should be too good for them in a lacklustre affair.

Expert Tip

Blues to win by 1-39 @ $2.05 with Bet365

The Blues should be too good, but the Bombers can be somewhat plucky.

Alternative Bets to Consider

• Under 166.5 total match points @ $1.89 with Bet365
• Liam McMahon 2+ goals @ $2.10 with Bet365

• Date: Friday, 22nd of August
• First bounce: 7.10pm AEST
• Venue: MCG, Melbourne
• Broadcast info: Channel Seven (VIC), 7Mate (NSW, WA), Fox Footy

Bookmaker	Magpies Odds	Demons Odds
	$1.33	$3.30
	$1.33	$3.35
	$1.32	$3.30

Match Analysis

The Magpies might have lost last weekend, but that game wouldn’t exactly have lost them many fans. They dominated inside 50s against the league’s top team and in Adelaide no less, but despite the 71-37 lead they boasted in that stat they went down by under a kick. Incredibly, that made it five losses from six games, and after looking like almost certain minor premiers a couple of months ago, their spot in the top four is now very much in jeopardy.

The Dees, however, will likely struggle to keep that losing streak going. They have had a pretty miserable year, and while they’ve been semi-competitive since Simon Goodwin was axed from the top job, they’re still a long way off the best teams and it showed against the Hawks last year.

This is a huge game for the Pies not just in terms of result, but also percentage, with only 0.4% clearing them from the Hawks and just 1.9% separating them from the Suns, both of whom could potentially finish on the same number of wins. Collingwood should have no issues winning this game despite their poor recent record, but they need to keep their foot on the gas until the final siren, which makes the relatively short line set by betting sites look like one they should cover.

Expert Tip

Magpies -19.5 @ $1.91 with Bet365

The Pies should be too good and with percentage so important, this line looks much too short.

Alternative Bets to Consider

• Over 164.5 total match points @ $1.89 with EliteBet
• Magpies 40+ @ $3.25 with PlayUp

• Date: Friday, 22nd of August
• First bounce: 8.10pm AEST
• Venue: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
• Broadcast info: Channel Seven (QLD, SA), Fox Footy

Bookmaker	Power Odds	Suns Odds
	$3.90	$1.26
	$4.00	$1.25
	$3.90	$1.26

Match Analysis

Ken Hinkley’s long coaching tenure at Port Adelaide will come to an end this Friday night, giving the Power a lot more reason to put in a good showing in their last game of the season than they would otherwise. Having said that, his impending departure hasn’t exactly motivated them in recent weeks – they’ve lost five on the trot, four of them by pretty hefty margins.

The Suns, meanwhile, don’t need to look too hard to find motivation for this one. Entering the final round of the season they are outside of the top eight, but the ball is very much in their court. Their rescheduled Opening Round game against the Bombers won’t take place till next Wednesday, and with a game up their sleeve they can still afford to drop one of their last two – both of which they’ll enter as comfortable favourites.

There will be plenty of emotion at Adelaide Oval on Friday night, and Hinkley’s final pre-game rev-up might just be enough to get the Power humming early. But that emotion will only get them so far, and over the course of four quarter the Suns should prove too good.

Expert Tip

Suns to win by 1-39 @ $2.05 with Bet365

It’s hard to see the Suns losing, but with Hinkley coaching his last game the Power should at least put up a fight.

Alternative Bets to Consider

• Over 169.5 total match points @ $1.89 with PlayUp
• Matt Rowell to record 30+ disposals @ $2.15 with Bet365

• Date: Saturday, 23rd of August
• First bounce: 1.20pm AEST
• Venue: Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
• Broadcast info: Channel Seven (SA), Fox Footy

Bookmaker	Kangaroos Odds	Crows Odds
	$7.50	$1.09
	$7.50	$1.09
	$7.50	$1.08

Match Analysis

The Kangaroos had a rare reason to celebrate last year, picking up their fifth win of the season in a 48-point rout of the Tigers. They had plenty of stars across the day, but none more prominent than Harry Sheezel, who accumulated a record-breaking 54 disposals across the day. But that will likely be their last reason to celebrate for the season.

Awaiting the Roos this weekend is the top-placed Crows, who will look to lock in top spot and hone their game for finals time against an opponent they are a hell of a lot better than. A loss could still see the Crows drop to 2nd below the Cats, but that is a very unlikely result.

This should be a fait accompli for the Crows, though given they have no need to win by a particular margin it would be no surprise to see them take their foot off the accelerator in the second half if they get a long way ahead. Expect a really easy win for the Crows, but with not much to play for beyond needing to win a game they should have no issues winning, the Roos might be able to keep it closer than the 40.5-point line.

Expert Tip

Crows to win by 1-39 @ $2.35 with Bet365

The Crows will win this, but might not put their best foot forward.

Alternative Bets to Consider

• Kangaroos +36.5 @ $1.91 with Bet365
• Over 177.5 total match points @ $1.89 with EliteBet

• Magpies -19.5 @ $1.91 with Bet365 – The Magpies might have lost five of their last six games, but their performance last week against Crows highlighted that at their best they are still close to the best team in the competition, even though they lost. This is a very short line against an average team with nothing to play for.
• Swans -29.5 @ $1.91 with Bet365 – There is always the possibility in final round dead rubbers for strange things to happen, but even if the Swans aren’t particularly motivated they should wipe the floor with the Eagles. The Eagles have lost by less than this margin just twice in their last seven games, with even the Tigers and Dees beating them easily.
• Bulldogs vs Dockers over 171.5 total match points @ $1.89 with EliteBet – The Bulldogs are one of the most high-scoring teams in the competition, and this is a very low line for one of their games. Eight of their last ten games have exceeded it, with last week being one of the exceptions and only because the hapless Eagles managed just four goals.

Same Game Multi Tip

• Date: Saturday, 23rd of August
• First bounce: 4.15pm AEST
• Venue: MCG, Melbourne 
• Broadcast info: Fox Footy

Bookmaker	Tigers Odds	Cats Odds
	$16.00	$1.01
	$15.00	$1.02
	$15.75	$1.01

Match Analysis

Not much was expected of the Tigers this season, and the five wins they have accumulated has exceeded the expectations of just about everyone. But they’re not likely to add to that tally in their final game of the season.

The Cats fought back from a slow start against the Swans last weekend to pick up an important 43-point win, which all but solidified their spot inside the top four. A surprise loss this weekend, however, could still see them fall to 3rd below the Lions, meaning a Qualifying Final against them would be in Brisbane rather than Melbourne – something they will no doubt be very keen to avoid.

Fortunately, it’s not likely they’ll have too many issues disposing of the Tiges. Richmond have plenty of good young players and are well set up for the future, but they are still a long way off being a competitive team. This is little more than a finals tune-up for the Cats, who should be able to pick up a big win without breaking too much of a sweat.

Expert Tip

Under 174.5 total match points @ $1.89 with Bet365

The Tigers do not usually score heavily and that will likely be the case here against a strong team.

Alternative Bets to Consider

• Cats 40+ $1.30 with Bet365
• Cats -59.5 @ $1.90 with PlayUp

• Date: Saturday, 23rd of August
• First bounce: 7.35pm AEST
• Venue: Optus Stadium, Perth
• Broadcast info: 7Mate (NSW, WA), Fox Footy

Bookmaker	Eagles Odds	Swans Odds
	$4.60	$1.20
	$4.60	$1.20
	$4.60	$1.19

Match Analysis

Yet another embarrassing season is at long last nearly at an end for the Eagles, who are somehow set to perform even worse than they have in recent years. Andrew McQualter’s first season in charge has yielded just a solitary win and plenty of big losses, securing yet another Wooden Spoon for a once proud club that is now anything but.

The Swans have not exactly had the year they wanted either, though they do at least have reason for optimism moving forward. The first half of their first season under Dean Cox was underwhelming to say the least, but the growing pains of a new coach were exacerbated by injury and as the year has worn on, they have gradually begun to vaguely resemble the team that made the Grand Final last year.

There is nothing to play for for either team, but the Swans still have plenty of talent running around and given even the likes of the Tigers have thumped the Eagles recently, the visitors should have no problems picking up a solid win here. It will be little solace for a club accustomed to success, but six wins in their last eight games would at least give them optimism going into next year.

Expert Tip

Swans -29.5 @ $1.90 with PlayUp

This is a small line for any team against the Eagles, and the Swans have been good for a couple of months now.

Alternative Bets to Consider

• Swans 40+ @ $2.55 with Bet365
• Swans 73+ @ $11.00 with Bet365

• Date: Sunday, 24th of August
• First bounce: 12.20pm AEST
• Venue: ENGIE Stadium, Sydney
• Broadcast info: Channel Seven (NSW), Fox Footy

Bookmaker	Giants Odds	Saints Odds
	$1.17	$5.10
	$1.19	$4.80
	$1.17	$4.90

Match Analysis

Sunday is the day the footy world will be waiting for this weekend, and it kicks off with the Giants looking to lock up their spot in the eight when they host the Saints. The AFL’s newest club won perhaps the most important addition of the Expansion Cup against the Suns last weekend, with that result meaning they are guaranteed a finals spot if they win this game – and potentially even if they don’t.

The Saints, meanwhile, won their fourth game on the trot, but it might be the least impressive four-game winning streak in league history. They have beaten four teams all currently situated in the bottom five by a cumulative total of 21 points, and each by a single-figure margin. A win is a win, but those results are not exactly going to convince Nasaiah Wanganeen-Milera that Moorabin is the place to be.

This is a game that the Giants simply must win, and it would be a massive surprise if they didn’t. They have the talent to cause plenty of damage in September, and while the same could be said for nine teams this year, they will be keen to ensure they are not the unlucky one of that group to not play finals. Expect them to come out breathing fire, and end the regular season with an impressive 16-7 record.

Expert Tip

Giants -29.5 @ $1.91 with Bet365

The Giants have plenty to play for and a lot more talent than the Saints.

Alternative Bets to Consider

• Under 173.5 total match points @ $1.89 with EliteBet
• Finn Callaghan to record 30+ disposals @ $2.15 with Bet365

• Date: Sunday, 24th of August
• First bounce: 3.15pm AEST
• Venue: Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
• Broadcast info: Channel Seven (VIC, SA, WA), 7Mate (QLD), Fox Footy

Bookmaker	Bulldogs Odds	Dockers Odds
	$1.30	$3.50
	$1.30	$3.60
	$1.29	$3.50

Match Analysis

It’s not hyperbole to say that this is an Elimination Final within the home and away season. There are worlds where both of these teams make the finals, but that is very unlikely and it’s far more probable that the loser ends up, incredibly, in 9th spot despite winning 15 games for the season. The Dogs have somehow spent much of the past few weeks outside the top eight despite boasting one of the best percentages in the league, and while their subpar record against top teams is well-documented, the last time they played one of them they beat the Giants by 15 goals.

The Dockers, meanwhile, are on the verge of missing the finals out of nowhere for the second straight year. Last year they lost four on the trot to miss out, and if they lose this one they’ll likely have lost their last two. They could have secured their spot in the eight at home last weekend against the Lions, but instead they put up a meek performance to go down by ten goals and put their backs against the wall.

This has the makings of a terrific game, with the fast and furious Bulldogs trying to break down the more methodical, defensive-minded Dockers for a spot in the finals. Though they’re not without their faults, these are two good teams, and at their best can beat just about anyone in the comp. But while the Dockers can be really good on their day, the Dogs can be great, and their elite talent looks even better at Marvel Stadium. In a pulsating game, they can win their fifth on the trot to sneak into the finals.

Expert Tip

Bulldogs to win by 1-39 @ $2.20 with PlayUp

The Dogs can win on their home turf, but the Dockers will not be an easy team to beat.

Alternative Bets to Consider

• Bulldogs to win by 1-24 @ $3.40 with PlayUp
• Over 171.5 @ $1.89 with EliteBet

• Date: Sunday, 24th of August
• First bounce: 7.20pm AEST
• Venue: Gabba, Brisbane
• Broadcast info: Channel Seven (VIC, QLD, SA), 7Mate (NSW, WA), Fox Footy

Bookmaker	Lions Odds	Hawks Odds
	$1.60	$2.35
	$1.58	$2.40
	$1.60	$2.34

Match Analysis

Round 24 concludes with a game of mammoth proportions, with two teams boasting Premiership ambitions going head to head for a spot in the top four. The Lions will come into the game sitting in 3rd having traded wins for losses over the past month, but they remain half-a-game clear of four teams and will finish top four if they win. A loss, however, could see them fall as far as 7th.

The situation is similar for the Hawks. They currently sit in 5th, but if they win this game they will go past the Lions and into the top four. But percentage is relevant for them. A win would likely see them end on the same record as the Magpies and potentially the Suns, both of whom boast similar percentages, and if that’s the case the team of that trio with the worst percentage will just miss the top four.

So it’s safe to say that there is plenty on the line. The Hawks have been in winning form of late and were incredibly impressive a fortnight ago when pumping the Magpies, but the Gabba is one of the toughest trips in footy. The Lions have enough injuries to genuinely impact, and the Hawks should be expecting to take this game right down to the wire, but on their home turf, the reigning Premiers can sneak over the line.

Expert Tip

Lions to win by 1-39 @ $2.25 with PlayUp

It’s hard to see either side winning this by a lot, but the Lions at home can just get the job done.

Alternative Bets to Consider

• Lions to win by 1-24 @ $3.30 with PlayUp
• Under 168.5 total match points @ $1.89 with Bet365

• Date: Wednesday, 27th of August
• First bounce: 7.20pm AEST
• Venue: People First Stadium, Gold Coast
• Broadcast info: Channel Seven (VIC, SA), 7Mate (NSW), Fox Footy

Bookmaker	Suns Odds	Bombers Odds
	$1.05	$9.00
	$1.05	$10.00
	$1.03	$11.50

Match Analysis

The final game of the home and away season is not technically part of Round 24. Instead, it’s the Suns and Bombers game which was postponed in Opening Round due to Cyclone Alfred, and for which no spot has been found until right at the end of the season. There’s not much on the line for the Bombers, who will more than likely be trying to avoid a 13th straight loss, but the opposite is true for the Suns.

Gold Coast have an inaugural finals series in their sights, and a win here would guarantee it. If they win against the Power in Round 24 they will be locked into the top eight anyway and pending percentage, will have a chance to make the top four, while if they lose that game this one will determine whether they play finals or not.

It’s hard to predict the outcome without knowing Round 24’s results just yet, but regardless, something will be on the line for the Suns, and they are a hell of a lot better than the Bombers anyway. If they do have a top four spot on the line expect them to put the foot down even more to fight for that extra percentage, but regardless they should be winning fairly comfortably.

Expert Tip

Bombers +50.5 @ $1.91 with Bet365

The Suns should win comfortably, but the betting apps have set a big line against a team capable of being a pest.

Alternative Bets to Consider

• Suns to win by 1-39 @ $2.85 with Bet365