Friday night footy in week one of the 2023 AFL Finals will be a cracker! Carlton will play hosts to Sydney at the MCG in a do-or-die elimination match and of course, we have you covered with a full preview, best bet, and Same Game Multi for the match below!
Also, we’re providing previews and expert betting tips for all 2023 AFL Finals matches, so make sure to head over to our AFL Tips page regularly to keep up to date with all of our content!
2023 AFL First Elimination Final Preview & Betting Tips
Carlton vs Sydney
Friday 7:50pm AEST, September 8th, MCG
Arguably the hottest team in the competition right now, Carlton will be aiming to secure their first finals win since 2013. The Blues were on a massive nine-match win streak heading into the final round of the home and away season where they lost to the Giants who were naturally the more motivated side considering what was at stake.
Having a week off since the final round will do wonders for the Blues who have had a number of their key players on the sidelines due to injury. Thankfully, Patrick Cripps and Sam Docherty will both return to the lineup this week after being removed from the official AFL Injury List. Blake Acres has reportedly passed his fitness test as well and will be able to return, while Jack Silvagni is still a week or two away.
Written off around the halfway mark of the season, Sydney stormed home over the last couple of months to secure yet another finals berth. They too were on a big win streak (six) before losing their final match of the season against the Demons which ultimately cost them a home elimination final. Still, they can consider themselves extremely fortunate to even be here after being gifted a win against Adelaide in Round 23 due to a diabolical error by the goal umpire. As it turned out, that win was the difference between them making the finals and the Crows missing out.
Star forward Tom Papley was a late out against the Demons in Round 24 due to hamstring tightness but is tipped to return for Friday night’s final. Also a chance to play is Justin McInerny who has missed the last couple of weeks due to a calf injury, although he’s less of a chance to return compared to Papley.
Match prediction: These teams met at the SCG in Round 11 and it was Sydney who secured a wire-to-wire 26-point win. A lot has changed since then however, with Carlton winning nine of their 12 matches since which makes for a completely different looking contest this time around.
Carlton will also have home ground advantage on this occasion, which they’ve been able to make the most recently. They’ve won each of their last three matches at the MCG with two of those victories coming against top four sides Collingwood and Melbourne.
Returning to the finals for the first time in 10 years while being at near full strength and with a raucous MCG crowd behind them, I expect the Blues to put in an inspired performance and to get the job done against the Swans with a couple of goals to spare.
Carlton -12.5
$1.90 (2 Units)
Same Game Multi
The easiest way to place your Same Game Multi is to click on the BoomBet BetShare banner below! This will add our SGM selections straight into your BoomBet bet slip! You can then enter how much you wish to wager and with one click, your bet has been placed!
Matthew Owies 2+ Goals – Finished the season in fine form kicking two goals in each of his last three matches. He also seems to like the big stage and I expect him to be amongst the goals again here.
Errol Gulden 1+ Goal – Has simply had a terrific season and has been a constant threat when he ventures forward. Has kicked at least one goal in 11 of his last 15 matches and remains solid value.
SGM Odds: $3.60 at BoomBet
