Bulldogs, Port Adelaide firm for AFL title after crazy round

For the first time in months, the Sydney Swans are not favourites to win the 2024 AFL Premiership.

Top bookmaker Neds has wound out John Longmire’s men from $4 to $6 after their 112-point demolition at the hands of Port Adelaide in round 21.

The Brisbane Lions — who smashed St Kilda by 85 points on Sunday — are now the outright market elect at $3.50, while the race for the minor premiership is back on.

The Swans were once unbackable favourites to finish top of the AFL ladder, but they have moved out to $1.70 with their competition lead trimmed to two points.

Meanwhile, Brisbane are paying $2.40 to claim the minor flag after starting their season with three consecutive defeats.

Many pundits and punters had written off Port Adelaide a few weeks ago, but top AFL betting sites have brought them in from $21 to $9 for the premiership after their masterclass against the Swans.

It is a similar story for the Western Bulldogs, who have beaten Carlton, Geelong, Sydney and Melbourne in succession to vault into seventh place.

Paying $51 for the premiership after round 17, the Doggies now share the second line of outright betting at $6.

Fremantle have gone the other way, drifting from $9 out to $13 after losing a one-point thriller against Essendon at the MCG on Sunday.

Carlton have done the same, sliding to $9 following their three-point defeat to Collingwood on Saturday night.

The Bombers ($81) and Magpies ($34) still have a pulse, but both will need to be faultless in the last three rounds to make the finals.

That is also the case for Hawthorn, whose late-season charge took a big hit with their heartbreaking loss to Greater Western Sydney in Canberra.

The Hawks have moved out to $34 in flag betting, while the Giants have shortened into $9 after climbing back into the top four.

Geelong — just behind GWS on percentage — remain steady at $13 after surviving a late scare against Adelaide on Saturday.

At the other end of the table, Richmond have plunged to $1.10 for the wooden spoon following their 13-point defeat to North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium.

Top AFL bookies now have the Kangaroos at $6.50 to finish bottom, while the West Coast Eagles have blown out to $41 after their 10-point win over the Gold Coast Suns on Friday night.

AFL R21 fixtures & results

Friday, August 2

• Western Bulldogs 15.10.120 — Melbourne 9.5.59
• West Coast 15.7.97 — Gold Coast 13.9.87

Saturday, August 3

• North Melbourne 14.6.90 — Richmond 10.17.77
• Geelong 13.12.90 — Adelaide 13.7.85
• Collingwood 12.12.84 — Carlton 11.15.81
• Port Adelaide 22.16.148 — Sydney 5.6.36

Sunday, August 4

• GWS 12.12.84 — Hawthorn 12.10.82
• Essendon 13.12.90 — Fremantle 14.5.89
• St Kilda 5.9.39 — Brisbane 19.10.124

AFL 2024 Premiership betting odds – Round 21

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