Australian Rules Football, a sport which is a mystery to virtually everyone outside of the Antipodes but one which is as popular in Australia as rugby league and cricket. There have even been attempts to expand into New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Europe, though without much long-term success.
Aussie Rules Football was first played in the 19th century, though the AFL itself did not come into being until 1990. Formally restricted mainly to teams in the state of Victoria, sides from South Australia, Western Australia, New South Wales and Queensland have joined the league down the years and there are now 18 clubs competing in the 23-round regular season which runs from March to September. The top eight teams play off in a four-round finals series culminating in the AFL Grand Final, which is held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground each year.
Richmond are the current Grand Final champions, known as the ‘premiers’, but Carlton, Essendon and Collingwood are the most successful clubs in AFL history among those still in existence. Fremantle, Gold Coast and Greater Western Sydney are still awaiting their first Grand Final success.
Richmond may well be the team to beat again in 2018. The Tigers are 13/2 with Marathonbet to win the Grand Final but have retained all of their best players. They’ll need to stay injury-free as the long-term loss of any of Dusty Martin, Trent Cotchin, Alex Rance or Jack Riewoldt would seriously unbalance their first-choice squad but they’ll start the new campaign full of confidence.
Sydney could be their most dangerous rivals as a best 11/2 with Unibet as the Swans are almost guaranteed to make the final eight and it’s game on from that point. Lance Franklin is one of the stars of the AFL but will be targeted again as a result.
Adelaide are vying for favouritism with the Swans but need to recover from a below-par performance in last year’s Grand Final. The Crows have serious strength-in-depth, however, and a clutch of exciting young players progressing through the ranks including Jordan Galluci and Myles Poholke. That said, they did look vulnerable last year when put under pressure and will need to address those defensive issues.
Geelong are not prolific scorers but look another side almost certain to be involved at the business end of the season, though are only a general 8/1 to win the Grand Final. Greater Western Sydney are also fancied to do well (13/2 with Unibet) but Leon Cameron’s side have lost preliminary finals in the last two season and may struggle to find a replacement for the retired Shane Mumford.
AFL 2018 Grand Final Best Odds
Adelaide and Sydney Swans 11/2, Greater Western Sydney and Richmond 13/2, Geelong 8/1, Port Adelaide 14/1, Melbourne and Essendon 16/1, Western Bulldogs 22/1, Hawthorn 25/1, Collingwood and St Kilda 33/1, West Coast 40/1, Fremantle 66/1, Carlton 100/1, Brisbane Lions and North Melbourne 150/1, Gold Coast 200/1
