The new AFL season gets underway this week but it’s going to take a monumental effort for some teams to break into the top eight let alone the four places at the end of the regular season which will go a long way to deciding the destiny of the 2019 Premiership. Australian Rules Football is still a far-off mystery to many outside of the land of the kangaroo and the floater but it’s a high-intensity support which attracts huge crowds, particularly the Grand Final which has broken the 90,000 barrier in all-but-one of the last 15 years.
AFL Past Winners
The Richmond Tigers crashed out in the play-off preliminaries last season, surprisingly losing the Collingwood Magpies. They had topped the rankings at the end of the Regular Season, winning 18 and losing only four matches, finishing eight points ahead of the West Coast Eagles. But the pressure of being favourites and the rigours of a tough campaign probably got to the Tigers in the end. The Grand Final winners in 2017, Richmond have managed to prise star forward Tom Lynch away from Gold Coast in the close season and can always rely on Jack Reiwoldt to make best use of The Sherrin so it’s hard to see Damien Hardwick’s Melbourne team not bouncing back and being involved at the business end at the general 4/1.
Defending champions the West Coast Eagles will have largely the same team that won the Grand Final last year so can’t be ignored again at a general 13/2. Nic Naitanui is fit again after missing most of last season with a knee injury and the Eagles will welcome back star midfielder Andrew Gaff, who missed the Grand Final through suspension. They have a very strong squad overall, though possibly lack the flair of some of the pretenders to their crown this year.
Melbourne finished fifth in the table last year, making the finals for the first time in 11 years. They look a club on the up and it would be no surprise to see them grab a coveted top four spot this time around and maybe even threaten the dominance of the Tigers. Steven May has joined from the Gold Coast Suns and Braydon Preuss has joined from North Melbourne to strengthen their squad even further. Melbourne last appeared in a Grand Final at the turn of the century but are a best 7/1 with William Hill to win it in 2019.
The Collingwood Magpies were just a few seconds away from claiming their first Premiership since 2010 last year before West Coast’s late rally. That defeat will still be raw but the re-signing of Dayne Beams will have lifted spirits and Jordan Roughhead shoukd improve the back division. The ‘Pies’ strength, however, lies in midfield and seeing the names of Brodie Grundy, Steele Sidebottom, Scott Pendlebury and Adam Treloar on the opposing team sheet will have most opponents trembling in their boots. The Magpies are a best 6/1 to go one better than last year.
Of the others, Port Adelaide could be a bit better than their 33/1 quote. They had an injury-hit 2018 but have a squad capable of competing at the highest level including the brilliant Robbie Gray. Despite their problems they were only just outside the top half last year and Ryan Burton and Scott Lycett are positive signings.
The Geelong Cats (also a best 16/1 with William Hill) have managed to secure several key players on long-term contracts and are another team expected to progress this year. They are a general 10/11 for a top eight finish and that looks a very solid investment.
AFL 2019 Grand Final Best Odds
Richmond 4/1
Collingwood 6/1
West Coast 13/2
Melbourne 7/1
Essendon 11/1
Geelong, Adelaide, Greater Western Sydney and Sydney Swans 16/1
Hawthorn 25/1
North Melbourne and Port Adelaide 33/1
Western Bulldogs 50/1
Brisbane Lions and Fremantle 66/1
St Kilda 100/1
Carlton 150/1
Gold Coast 500/1
(Odds correct at 10.00am March 18)
