There is no doubt that 2020 has been a funny year for footy with the break in the season due to Covid-19. But things have also been up and down when it comes to the AFL premiership betting too. So much so that after 12 rounds of the season we’ve had a number of different flag favourites since footy returned.
After the completion of Round 12, the contenders have been whittled down to five if the bookmakers have it right. The Grand Final winner is predicted likely to come from West Coast Eagles, Richmond Tigers, Geelong Cats, Brisbane Lions or Port Adelaide.
The quintet are all at single figure odds in the futures betting markets with Collingwood and GWS Giants the best of the rest when it comes to finding the flag winner in what will go down as the strangest of sporting years.
Bets.com.au provides AFL betting tips and looks at just how the top five contenders are rolling as we head to business end of the season.
West Coast Eagles ($4.50)
Fourth on the ladder with an 8-3 record, West Coast have won seven straight since the start of July to bounce back from a sticky start to the season. The Eagles are flying and it is no surprise that the 2018 premiers have been installed as the team to beat. West Coast could have the significant advantage of home ground advantage should they make the Grand Final with Perth’s Optus Stadium or Brisbane’s Gabba under consideration to host the showpiece.
Richmond Tigers ($5.50)
At 7-4-1 for the season and sitting in sixth place, it might seem a little surprising to see the Tigers sitting on the second line of betting. But as the reigning premiers Richmond know what it takes to win a premiership. The Tigers’ big names haven’t fired consistently, but there is room for a big improvement. The betting agencies are taking no chances with the Richmond train beginning to gather some pace.
Geelong Cats ($6.00)
Three big wins in a row have taken Geelong from top eight certainties to Grand Final contenders at 8-4. A heavy victory over North Melbourne was expected, but the subsequent wide-margin wins over St Kilda and ladder leaders Port Adelaide have really made people stand up and take notice of the Cats. Having not played in a Grand Final since winning the flag in 2011, could this be Geelong’s year?
Brisbane Lions ($6.50)
Like the West Coast Eagles, the Lions could end up with home ground advantage if the Grand Final is played at the Gabba. Brisbane sit second on the ladder at 9-3 for the season and they look much more ready than 12 months ago. A below-par effort against North Melbourne, who they beat by a point, tempers enthusiasm a little, but the Lions are firmly in the hunt.
Port Adelaide ($8.00)
It might seem a little unusual for the ladder leaders to be on the fifth line of betting, but that’s where Power find themselves following a 60-point defeat at the hands of Geelong. Prior to that, they have been the team to beat for much of the season and there might be much more to play out in the race to the Grand Final for Port.
