The AFL pre-season programme is about to get underway and the 2024 season itself is just around the corner, so teams will be eager to get their plans in place as soon as possible.
The opening game of the season will see Sydney and Melbourne go head-to-head at the SCG on Thursday 17th March.
Sydney can be backed at 1.62 to start with a win, while Melbourne are priced at 2.30.
Both teams could also be in the mix to win the grand final in 2024 and are priced at 9.00 to win it, so starting the season well will be crucial.
Collingwood are the hot fancies at 5.00 to go back-to-back, but the battle to win the grand final looks to be wide open in 2024.
AFL Outright Odds
Opening fixtures
The 2024 AFL season is almost upon us and there will be four games played during the opening weekend. Then the week after, all 18 teams will be in action.
After Sydney versus Melbourne on 17th March, the action switches to Brisbane on Friday night with the Lions taking on Carlton.
Both sides are among the hot fancies to go all the way and win the Premiership and the clash at the Gabba is a chance for one of them to put down an early marker.
Brisbane are 1.38 to win, while the Blues can be backed at 3.10.
Reigning premiers Collingwood get their title defence underway with a very tricky trip to take on Greater Western Sydney on Saturday 19th March.
The Pies are 2.05 to get a result, with the home side, who have premiership aspirations of their own, available at 1.78.
To wrap up the opening weekend, Gold Coast Suns are 1.52, to beat Richmond Tigers, who are 2.55.
Injury concerns for Carlton
Carlton are well fancied to end their premiership drought in 2024, and can be backed at 9.00 to win the grand final.
However they do have some injury issues heading into the new campaign.
The Blues have already lost Jack Silvagni for the entire season after he suffered a ruptured ACL in training, while Jacob Weitering will miss the first part of the season with a calf issue.
Now to make matters worse for Carlton, there are injury concerns over Sam Walsh and Jack Martin.
Martin is battling back from a knee sprain and is facing a race against time to face Brisbane Lions in the opening game.
Walsh is suffering from back soreness, and although he should be fit for the opener, Carlton have placed him on a modified training program for now.
Corey Durdin and Matt Owies have hamstring and calf injuries respectively and are doubts for week one.
West Coast whacked
West Coast Eagles are set for a tough 2024 season as they continue to rebuild and are priced at 2.10 to suffer most losses during the regular season.
The season has not even started and they have already suffered a blow to their morale with a 52-point loss to Fremantle on Saturday night.
They also suffered a scare with top pick Harley Reid, who had to leave the field clutching his leg. Reports later suggested it was just cramp and nothing more sinister.
Reid is the hot fancy at 3.00 to win the Rising Star in 2024 and West Coast will be keeping their fingers crossed.
More of a concern was a concussion suffered by Reuben Ginbey following an accidental head clash.
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