Opening Round of the 2024 AFL season continues on Saturday night with a blockbuster double-header. Second up on the program is arguably the game of the round, with GWS taking on Collingwood in a rematch of last season’s preliminary final. As always, we bring you our full match preview, best bet, and Same Game Multi!
Also, Before You Bet will be providing free previews and betting tips for EVERY game in the 2024 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.
2024 AFL Opening Round Preview & Betting Tips
GWS vs Collingwood
Saturday 7:30pm AEDT, March 9th, ENGIE Stadium
It’s been a long wait since GWS suffered a heartbreaking one-point loss in the preliminary final, but they finally get a chance to take to the field again on Saturday night. Just to add some extra spice, they’ll be playing the team that inflicted said heartbreak.
Nevertheless, the Giants have licked their wounds and are primed to contend for the premiership again in 2024. They’ve had another full pre-season under the tutelage of Adam Kingsley, and have a playing group that has the ideal age demographic.
Perhaps the one key ingredient the Giants need to go all the way this season is for another key forward to step up and perform on a consistent basis. The two candidates to fill that void are Jake Riccardi and Aaron Cadman, and if one of them can deliver a 40+ goal season, that would take an enormous amount of pressure off the likes of Toby Greene and Jesse Hogan.
After being very much the hunter in recent years, Collingwood will have to deal with being the hunted in 2024. Of course, they reached the pinnacle in the AFL last season when they defeated the Lions by four points in the Grand Final. It was their first premiership since they took down the Saints in 2010.
Needless to say, the Magpies are expected to be one of a handful of teams that can truly compete for premiership glory this season. They currently have the shortest premiership odds which will be of no surprise to anyone.
The one query about their ability to go back-to-back is the age of their list. The Magpies now have the oldest list in the competition, although that is somewhat skewed by the likes of Scott Pendlebury (36), Steele Sidebottom (33), and Jeremy Howe (33) who are all well into their 30’s.
Match prediction: These clubs met twice last season and the Magpies came out on top on both occasions. Their first clash was in the home and away season on May 14th with the Magpies winning easily (120-55), while their second was in the preliminary final where the Magpies saluted by a single point (58-57).
After taking on the Magpies at the MCG in each of their last four meetings, the Giants will finally get their chance to play hosts on Saturday night. The last time they welcomed the Magpies to ENGIE Stadium was in 2020 when they defeated them by two points (66-64).
The Giants will be desperate to avenge their September 22nd loss in the preliminary final with a big win at home in this one. They looked in fantastic touch in the pre-season and are the deserving favourites in my opinion.
All in all, I’m expecting massive things from the Giants this season and expect them to come out on top on this occasion.
Same Game Multi
The easiest way to place your Same Game Multi is to click on the BoomBet BetShare button 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!
Toby Greene 3+ Goals – You just know he’s primed for this clash. Superstar player and kicked 66 goals in 24 games last season. There’s no reason why he can’t kick 3+ here.
Tom Green 30+ Disposals – Has become one of the most prolific ball winners in the competition. Averaged 32 touches a game last season and is only going to get better.
Harry Himmelberg 20+ Disposals – He’s back to playing across half back where he’s shown he can get his hands on it plenty. 20+ disposals in eight of his last nine home and away matches last season.
SGM Odds: $4 at BoomBet
