AFL 2025 Opening Round – Betting tips & Predictions

The AFL returns in 2025 and while it isn’t the four games we were expecting (due to Tropical Cyclone Alfred), we are still treated to two games in the Opening Round. It’s been a long wait but the Opening Round is almost upon us. I’ll be with you all season providing AFL predictions and tips for every game.

So, without further ado, let’s get stuck into some 2025 AFL tips for the first time this season!

Star player for the Swanies, Errol Gulden, is out for the first couple of weeks. That coupled with the injury to Callum Mills, it looks like a tough few opening rounds for the Swans in 2025. Some reshuffling needs to be done and losing All-Australians is a significant blow.

The Hawks aren’t exactly stacked with big forwards but with question marks over Brodie Grundy as well. This isn’t looking good for the Swans. The Hawks showed great improvement in 2024 and it looks like everything is coming together.

I’m tipping the upset in this one, I think the Hawks will get the better of the Swans. There are just too many injuries and question marks around many of the Swans players. The Hawks just need to overcome the weight of expectation.

Bookmaker	Katherine’s Tip	Odds
	Hawks to win	$1.97
	Hawks to win	$1.97

Predicted Squads

Sydney Swans: D. Rampe, L. Melican, A. Francis, M. Roberts, N. Blakey, O.Florent, Co. Warner, Ch. Warner, J. Jordon, T. Papley, T. McCartin, A. Sheldrick, B. Campbell, J. Amartey, W. Hayward, B. Grundy, I. Heeney, J. Rowbottom, T. Adams, J. Lloyd, J. McInerney, S. Wicks & B. Paton

Hawthorn Hawks: J. Battle, T. Barrass, J. Scrimshaw, J. Impey, J. Sicily, J. Weddle, K. Amon, W. Day, M. D’Ambrosio, D. Moore, M. Chol, N. Watson, B. Hardwick, J. Gunston, J. Ginnivan, L. Meek, J. Newcombe, J. Worpel, C. Macdonald, C. Mackenzie, C. Nash, F. Maginness & H. Morrison

Looks to be a close game on Sunday with the Giants up against the Magpies. It’s always a little difficult to get the feel for teams before their first match, but as I think this is a close one, I’ll be giving the home team a slight advantage.

The Giants will be looking for redemption after letting their lead slip against the Magpies in the Preliminary Finals last year and they ended up going down by just one point. The Magpies might need a couple of weeks to get into their groove and playing at Engie Stadium won’t be easy.

Another game, another upset on the cards for mine. I think there’s a bit of value going around with the Giants at the moment, so get while the going is good. It’s a small sample size, but this will be the game of the round and the Giants will get off on the right foot.

Bookmaker	Katherine’s Tip	Odds
	Giants to win	$2.20
	Giants to win	$2.25

Predicted Squads

GWS Giants: H. Himmelberg, S. Taylor, C. Idun, L. Whitfield, J. Buckley, L. Ash, T. Bedford, F. Callaghan, X. O’Halloran, B. Daniels, A. Cadman, T. Greene, D. Jones, M. Gruzewski, C. Stone, K. Briggs, S. Coniglio, J. Kelly, C. Ward, J. Leake, C. Angove, L. Keeffe & P. Gothard

Collingwood Magpies: B. Maynard, D. Moore, R. McInnes, I. Quaynor, J. Howe, J. Daicos, S. Sidebottom, H. Perryman, J. Crisp, L. Schultz, B. Mihocek, J. Elliott, B. Hill, D. McStay, B. McCreery, D. Cameron, N. Daicos, S. Pendlebury, P. Lipinski, E. Allan, W. Hoskin-Elliott, T. Membrey & O. Markov

It’s easy to stay ahead of the game thanks to the experts at MyBettingAustralia! We help you each week by providing our AFL tips and predictions along with tips and predictions for other sports as well. If you’ve found the tips you like, we’ve got reviews of the best AFL betting sites, like Bet365, that offer some of the top betting sites bonuses, so you can get more bang for your buck.

New betting sites like Bet777 are also a great option, as they have one of the best betting apps going around which makes it easy to bet on the AFL and other sports while you’re out and about. If you want more, make sure you check out our bookmaker’s review page, as we have more bookie reviews than you can poke a stick at.