AFL Round 24 betting preview, top tips & predictions

Round 24 brings a close to the 2025 AFL home-and-away season, and there is no shortage of storylines still to play out for the finals contenders.

Only three teams — Adelaide, Geelong and Brisbane — have secured spots in the top eight, leaving six sides to battle over the remaining five places.

It’s set up for a grandstand finish to the year, and there are heaps of exciting AFL betting opportunities on offer with Australia’s best online bookmakers.

Essendon v Carlton

Thursday, August 21 – 7:30pm AEST – Melbourne Cricket Ground

Carlton gave their long-suffering fans something to sing about with a big win over Port Adelaide last time out, while Essendon — sans Zach Merrett and fielding yet another debutant — fell two points short against St Kilda. Harry McKay booted seven goals against the Power, and facing the Bombers’ undersized and inexperienced defence, he should be good enough to kick a few again.

Collingwood v Melbourne

Friday, August 22 – 7:10pm AEST – Melbourne Cricket Ground

After five losses in six games, Collingwood find themselves needing to win in Round 24 to make sure of a finals spot. If they miss out, it would be an all-time catastrophe for a team that sat 10 points clear atop the AFL ladder after 16 games. The Demons will be eager to make life difficult for the Pies, but Craig McRae’s men just have to get the job done.

Port Adelaide v Gold Coast

Friday, August 22 – 8:10pm AEST – Adelaide Oval

While Port Adelaide are limping towards the finish line, the home faithful are sure to be in full voice as they bid farewell to Travis Boak and Ken Hinkley. For Gold Coast, this is a banana peel after their big loss to GWS last time out. The Suns were also well beaten on their last visit to Adelaide Oval, back in Round 19, and will want to make amends for that as they chase a maiden AFL finals appearance.

North Melbourne v Adelaide

Saturday, August 23 – 1:20pm AEST – Marvel Stadium

With star forwards Nick Larkey and Cam Zurhaar both sidelined, it is hard to see North Melbourne competing with a finals-ready Adelaide outfit — even with all the drama around Izak Rankine. Any AFL betting market involving points can get dicey when percentage no longer matters, so look at the player props instead. With four goals in his last five games, James Peatling is a solid anytime goalscorer pick for the Crows.

Richmond v Geelong

Saturday, August 23 – 4:15pm AEST – Melbourne Cricket Ground

Richmond have been far from disgraced in this rebuilding season, but they are well out of their weight class here. Geelong can lock up a top-two finish with a win and won’t be holding much back. Shaun Mannagh has emerged as a real threat for the Cats and looks a solid play for three or more goals — a feat he’s managed thrice in the past five weeks.

West Coast v Sydney

Saturday, August 23 – 7:35pm AEST – Optus Stadium

It’s a bit of a non-event in the west this Saturday night, but that doesn’t mean we can’t find one or two solid AFL Round 24 betting plays. Eagles half-back Tom McCarthy has posted solid numbers in his first season, and with the ball likely to spend plenty of time in Sydney’s forward third, he offers decent value as an AFL multi pick for 25 or more disposals.

GWS Giants v St Kilda

Sunday, August 24 – 12:20pm AEST – ENGIE Stadium

With St Kilda riding high after news of Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera’s big-money contract extension, this could be a tricky one for the Giants. That said, GWS were excellent against the Suns in Round 23, while the Saints have been scraping past bottom-six sides in recent weeks. St Kilda’s Cooper Sharman is finishing the year well and looks a solid play for two or more goals.

Western Bulldogs v Fremantle

Sunday, August 24 – 3:15pm AEST – Marvel Stadium

There is a good chance whoever loses this will wind up ninth on the AFL 2025 ladder, so expect a fierce contest from start to finish. The Bulldogs have struggled against top-eight sides all year, while Fremantle are trending the wrong way and were well beaten by Brisbane last time out. Dogs forward Aaron Naughton has booted 20 goals across the last four weeks, so the $1.88 at Neds for three or more looks a good play.

Brisbane v Hawthorn

Sunday, August 24 – 7:30pm AEST – Gabba

Brisbane fans have endured a rollercoaster ride over the past month, while Hawthorn have shown they belong in the AFL finals mix. The defending premiers will be hard to beat at home, but the Hawks have a good record against the Lions and head to the Gabba as only moderate outsiders. The top AFL bookmakers are giving us good odds for the home side to salute.

Gold Coast v Essendon

Wednesday, August 27 – 7:20pm AEST – People First Stadium

Depending on other results, Gold Coast will either be pushing for a top-four spot or fighting for a place in the eight. Either way, Damien Hardwick and his charges will be throwing everything at this understrength Essendon side. The Bombers have put on some competitive showings of late, but this should be a lopsided result.

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AFL Round 24 multi of the week

With some one-sided matchups on the board, we have gone heavy on player exotics in our AFL Round 24 betting picks. If you’re putting together a multi, it might pay to take the shorter odds on some the favourites.

BettingSite.com.au’s AFL multi tips for Round 24:

• McKay 3+ goals
• Collingwood by 1-39
• Gold Coast -24.5
• Peatling anytime goal
• Geelong by 40+
• Sydney to win
• GWS to win
• Brisbane by 1-39
• Naughton 3+ goals

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