AFL 2018 Futures
View our futures betting tips for the 2018 AFL season at BlueBet!
AFL - 2018 Premiership Winner
We'll look at the top six favourites in the betting markets.
Adelaide $6
The Crows are once again the favourites to take out the 2018 AFL Grand Final. After losing to the Tigers in 2017, they added gun midfielder Bryce Gibbs and the underrated Sam Gibson. With a midfield that already has Sloane and the Crouch brothers, they will be hard to stop around the midfield. They’ve also found a direct replacement for Lever with Tom Doedee. Up forward, they look strong with Walker, Betts, Jenkins and Lynch to lead the number 1 scoring team from 2017. They'll be in the reckoning for the Grand Final again.
Sydney $6.50
It’s hard to remember that the Swans started 0-6 last season as they were arguably the best side in the second half of the 2017 season. They ended up losing in the semi-finals but should be strong again in 2018. They have a great midfield and the best forward in the game with Buddy Franklin. The retirement of Kurt Tippett and the ACL injury to Naismith has hurt their ruck options. But they should comfortably finish in the top four. The home advantage at the SCG is always tough for travelling sides. Whether they can win the Grand Final with their ruck depth is a question mark.
Port Adelaide $8
The Power finished 5th last season and lost a thrilling final against the Eagles. So in the offseason, they added Watts, Motlop and Rockliff to an already strong side. Those additions should help them improve their forward line which ranked 2nd in the AFL. They also ranked 2nd in the AFL for points allowed. So this will be a side to watch in the finals. I can see them making the Grand Final in 2018.
Richmond $8
The Tiger army celebrated glory in 2017 and they’ll be hoping for another run to the MCG in 2018. They have a great spine with Martin in the middle, Rance down back and Reiwoldt up forward. The question marks are whether they have enough depth in their squad and going back to back is a very tough challenge. But judging by their preseason form, this side should finish in the top 6.
Geelong $8
The season hasn’t started well for the Cats with Paddy Dangerfield already suffering a hamstring. They still have a strong midfield and it will be interesting to see how they use Gary Ablett. Mitch Duncan is going to have a great season and Tim Kelly looks like a star. But the question mark will be defensively where they lost Mackie and Longeran to retirement. They’ll make the finals as they play a number of home matches against weak sides. But I’m not confident in their defence.
GWS $8.50
After two straight preliminary final losses, the Giants should be in contention once again. Their young players are getting vital finals experience and they have one of the best midfields in the AFL. The key will be limiting injuries as they have lost a number of talented players in recent seasons. They need a home finals run to make the Grand Final and their lack of experience on the big day would hurt their chances.
Prediction
It’s really hard back against either Adelaide sides in the race for the 2018 Grand Final. In the end, Port have added a number of talented players and they’re the value play at $8.
AFL - 2018 Minor Premiership Winner
The Crows are the value in this market. They went 15-6-1 last season and won the minor premiership from the Cats. Adelaide ranked first in the AFL by a mile in points scored and the home ground advantage at the Adelaide Oval will help them lead the AFL in 2018.
AFL - To Make Grand Final
As mentioned, the Power had a great offseason with a number of key additions. Jack Watts can improve their scoring and lightens the load on Charlie Dixon. Steve Motlop is a crafty small forward and can play through the midfield. Tom Rockliff is a gun midfielder and should help them in the stoppages. So in the end, the Power are good value to reach the Grand Final.
AFL - 2018 Top 8
The Melbourne Demons are the value play in the teams to make the top 8. They were missing Max Gawn for most of last season and only just missed the top 8 by percentage. He’s looking fit in 2018 and they also added Jake Lever to improve the defence. Jesse Hogan also had an interrupted season and he should improve their already strong forward line. They finished last season as the 6th ranked team by points scored and Lever will help them improve on their 9th ranked defence.
AFL - 2018 Top 4
Once again, Port Adelaide are a very good value in the top 4 market. They start the season with 2 of 3 matches at home against bottom sides from 2017 - Lions and Dockers. They’ll probably have a few tough matches after the bye in Round 10. But a run home against the Eagles, Magpies and Bombers should help them finish in the top four. They also only play against one top 6 six side from last season twice (Adelaide). So along with their offseason recruits, the Power look to have a comfortable fixture.
AFL - 2018 To Miss Top 8
Sorry to Collingwood fans but I can’t see them breaking their finals drought. They didn’t add any top free agents in the offseason, which means they’re probably waiting for Tom Lynch (Suns). So in 2018, their fixture also looks very tough. They kick off the season with 5 of 8 matches against finals sides from 2017. Which will probably but alot of pressure on Nathan Buckley once again. They’ve finished below 10th in 4 straight seasons so with no real gun player additions, it’s hard to see them improving.
AFL - Most Losses
The Suns are the favourites in this market and I can’t see any different. This just looks like another tough year for the Suns and I’ll back them to unfortunately finish with the most losses. They finished 17th last season and their best finish in the last three seasons is 15th. New coach Stuart Dew will have his work cut out for him in his first AFL head coaching job. They lost Gary Ablett in the offseason and there is a real lack of depth at this club. They also won’t be helped by the fixture as the Commonwealth Games means they don’t play at Metricon Stadium until Round 11 against the Cats. So in the first 9 rounds, only three will be played in QLD. From Round 3 to Round 4, they’ll be in Perth twice as well. Not to mention another trip to China against the strong Power.
AFL 2018 Regular Season Wins - Best Bet
The Eagles are arguably the best value in this market. They lost a wealth of talent in the offseason and it’s going to be tough to win those close matches without experience. Sam Mitchell, Matt Priddis and Drew Petrie are the main players missing after retirement. They also have a major question mark with Nic Nat coming back from a serious knee injury. So this will likely be a rebuilding year for the Eagles and I can’t see them winning over 10 matches.
