The second and final game of Opening Round in the 2025 AFL season takes place on Sunday afternoon with GWS set to take on Collingwood in Sydney. Both clubs have the expectation of battling it out at the business end of the season, and getting off to a winning start certainly aids their chances of doing so. It should be a cracking contest, and we have you covered with a full match preview, prediction, and Same Game Multi!
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.
GWS vs Collingwood
Location: ENGIE Stadium – Sydney
Date: Sunday, 9th March
Time: 3:20pm AEDT
Odds: GWS (2.20) vs Collingwood ($1.68)
Line: Collingwood -4.5
Points: 170.5
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
Collingwood and GWS face off in the second and final game of AFL’s Opening Round after two matches were postponed due to Cyclone Alfred. The Giants enter the season aiming to bounce back from a disappointing straight-sets exit in last year’s finals after finishing fourth in the regular season. Despite entering 2025 as premiership favourites, losses to the Swans and eventual premiers Brisbane ended their campaign abruptly. For Collingwood, the reigning 2023 premiers had a season to forget last year, finishing ninth and missing out on finals by percentage. Both teams will be eager to start strong after mixed results in 2024.
GWS made some off-season moves, but their biggest losses came through free agency, with Harry Perryman departing for Collingwood and James Peatling joining Adelaide. The Giants’ midfield depth will be tested after losing both men, especially with Tom Green sidelined. On the other hand, Collingwood was aggressive in recruitment, securing Perryman and adding All-Australian defender Dan Houston. However, Houston will miss this clash due to a suspension carried over from last season, delaying his club debut until next week against his former side, Port Adelaide. The Giants and Magpies met just once last season in Opening Round, with GWS claiming a 32-point win at ENGIE Stadium in a dominant wire-to-wire performance. The same venue will host Sunday’s clash, marking a rematch exactly one year later.
Injuries could play a key role in this contest, with both teams missing crucial personnel. GWS will be without Tom Green (calf, 1-2 weeks), Coleman Medallist Jesse Hogan (thumb, 2-3 weeks), and high-profile recruit Jake Stringer (hamstring, 2-3 weeks). The Magpies have their own concerns, with Jordan De Goey (1-2 weeks) and Mason Cox (1-2 weeks) sidelined, while Tom Mitchell is out indefinitely with a foot issue. The Giants will hand an AFL debut to James Leake, who is expected to spend time in the midfield to help cover Green’s absence. GWS struggled in the clearance battle last season, ranking second-last ahead of only West Coast in clearance differential, while Collingwood was among the better teams in this area. Without Green, the Giants could find themselves on the back foot at stoppages, allowing the Magpies to gain control around the contest.
Collingwood’s midfield advantage could be pivotal, particularly in generating forward-half pressure. The Magpies ranked fourth in inside 50 tackles last season and will look to apply the same intensity here. With Green and Hogan missing, GWS may struggle to generate enough quality forward entries to counteract Collingwood’s pressure. The Magpies also looked sharp in the preseason, adding to the expectation that they should start the season well. While first-round games can be unpredictable, Collingwood appears to have the edge heading into Sunday’s contest and will look to make an early statement after missing finals last year.
Collingwood -4.5
$1.90 (1.5 Units)
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!
Harry Perryman 20+ Disposals – Plays against his old side first up and will be looking to perform. He’s set to play big midfield minutes, highlighted by his 20 centre bounce attendances in the AAMI Community Series game.
Finn Callaghan 20+ Disposals – Looks ready to take his game to the next level in 2025. The loss of Perryman, James Peatling, and the injury to Tom Green opens up more inside mid opportunity. He gets to 20 here.
Brent Daniels 1+ Goal – Finished the 2024 regular season on fire with a goal in each of his last five games, for a total of nine goals during that span. He’s continually improving and is a genuine gun small forward now.
Dan McStay 1+ Goal – Came back from injury late last season to play only the five games, but kicked at least one goal in each game. He’s got a full preseason under his belt and is ready to attack 2025.
SGM Odds: $4.00 at BoomBet
