Round 10 in the 2025 AFL season is Sir Doug Nicholls Round and it gets underway on Thursday night with a blockbuster clash between Gold Coast and Hawthorn. Both clubs have had strong starts to the season and currently occupy spots in the top four, so this should be a high-quality encounter in Darwin. We bring you our full preview, best bet, and Same Game Multi below!
Also, Before You Bet will be providing free previews and betting tips for EVERY game in the 2025 AFL season, so make sure to head over to out our AFL Tips regularly to keep up to date with all of our free content.
Gold Coast vs Hawthorn
Location: TIO Stadium – Darwin
Odds: Gold Coast $1.70 vs Hawthorn $2.15
Odds and lines provided with thanks to Dabble. Note that odds and lines can fluctuate throughout the week and are correct at the time of writing.
Match Preview
Get ready for a big game this Thursday evening as the Gold Coast Suns host the Hawthorn Hawks at TIO Stadium in Darwin! This Round 10 clash is an important one between two top-four teams, and it shapes up as a crucial test for both clubs, with the Suns looking to solidify their top-four credentials on their true home away from home.
The Suns, led by coach Damien Hardwick, are having their best start to an AFL season ever. Sitting 4th on the ladder with a solid six wins and two losses, Gold Coast has clearly lifted their performance this campaign. Their strategic shift under Hardwick has seen them transform into a high-pressure outfit, excelling in critical areas such as clearances, where they've moved from 13th to 4th, and forward-half intercepts, now leading the league. This aggressive style creates numerous scoring opportunities, and their midfield should have a significant edge, particularly at the clearances.
Young skipper Noah Anderson, along with the ever-reliable Touk Miller, are driving a midfield that's proving hard to beat and is now amongst the competition's elite. Plus, Gold Coast boasts an amazing record at TIO Stadium, with seven wins in a row there, giving them a huge home-ground advantage. They also know the ground and conditions in Darwin much better than most opponents, a crucial factor in the tropical heat.
Meanwhile, the Hawks are heading to Darwin in decent form. Coach Sam Mitchell's side sits 3rd on the ladder with seven wins and two losses. Hawthorn has bounced back from an early-season slump to grab three wins in a row. However, many believe the Hawks have been winning without consistently playing their best footy, suggesting there's still room for improvement and perhaps some vulnerability against a top-tier opponent.
A key player up forward for the Hawks has been veteran Jack Gunston. His 23 goals this season puts him third in the Coleman race, and he's been absolutely crucial with Mitch Lewis and Calsher Dear sidelined. Importantly, star defender Tom Barrass is likely to return this week after being managed last round against Melbourne, which is a huge boost for their backline. Hawthorn has also become much more efficient when they go inside 50, ensuring their attacking forays are highly impactful.
This game sets up a really interesting tactical battle. The Suns' improved defence and smooth transition play will be thoroughly tested by Hawthorn's experienced attack and precise ball movement. The leadership and defensive smarts of Hawks captain Jack Sicily, now bolstered by Barrass's return, will be key to shutting down Gold Coast's dangerous forward line and limiting their scoring impact. However, Gold Coast's ability to win contested football and generate scores from pressure is a significant factor, especially with their expected midfield dominance. The Darwin humidity always adds another layer of challenge, demanding peak endurance from both sides, and the contested football around the stoppages will be fierce.
Given Gold Coast's outstanding record at TIO Stadium, their significant improvement under Hardwick, and their recent dominance over Hawthorn by substantial margins (67 and 53 point wins in their last two meetings), the Suns are strongly positioned for victory. While the Hawks bring momentum and experience, Gold Coast's superior knowledge of the conditions, their aggressive game style, and their expected dominance in the midfield battle should prove too much. Expect a hard-fought battle, but the Suns to secure another crucial win in what should be a thrilling contest.
Gold Coast -4.5
$1.85 (1 Unit)
Same Game Multi
Throughout the 2025 AFL season we’ll be putting together a fun same game multi for every match at BoomBet using their BetShare feature.
To follow our multi, just click on the BoomBet BetShare button below and our same game multi selections will be added straight into your bet slip on BoomBet. You can then enter how much you wish to wager, and with a single click, your bet has been placed!
Ben Long 2+ Goals – It'll be slippery conditions which doesn’t suit the talls, so I expect the small forwards to be right in the game here, and there aren’t many smalls in better form than this man to start the year
Noah Anderson 25+ Disposals – I expect the Suns midfield to get on top here and that starts with Anderson. He’s a ball magnet and has had 25+ in four of his last five games.
Bohdi Uwland 15+ Disposals – One of the more underrated defenders in the competition and can still find some of the footy going the other way. 15+ in each of his last four games and remains strong value.
