AFL: Outright odds ahead of finals openers

The 2023 AFL regular campaign is complete and we now head into the business end of the season, with finals getting underway next week.

Following an intriguing final round of action, the make-up of the top eight is decided, and those teams will now battle it out for the premiership.

Collingwood claimed the minor premiership, with Brisbane taking second spot just ahead of Port Adelaide, with Melbourne completing the top four.

Carlton finished fifth, with St Kilda, GWS Giants and Sydney rounding out the top eight.

The Pies clearly remain the team to beat, but anything can happen in finals, so let’s take a look at the latest betting.

Collingwood leading the way

Collingwood have been the best, most consistent side in the AFL so far this season, which is why they won the minor premiership.

They finished the regular season with a 70-point win over Essendon, but the week before they did lose to Brisbane Lions, who look the main threat to their chances of winning the flag.

Collingwood are priced at 3.50 to win the grand final, with the Lions available at 4.20.

The winner of the 2023 AFL grand final will more than likely come from the top-four and that means Melbourne are also in the mix, along with Port Adelaide.

Melbourne won the premiership in 2021 and can be backed at 4.25 to do it again this season.

Port Adelaide bounced back from a sticky spell to win their last three games of the season and can be backed at 6.50 to go all the way.

Best of the rest

It is very rare that a side finishing outside of the top four goes on to win the premiership, but it can be done. Western Bulldogs were the last side to do it in 2016.

If it is to happen again, then Carlton look the most likely.

Their impressive winning streak came to an end when they lost to GWS at the weekend, but it could be the kick up the backside they need heading into finals.

Carlton can be backed at 10.00 to win the flag, with GWS available at 26.00.

St Kilda and Sydney make up the top eight and are both priced at 41.00 to win the grand final.

Opening week of finals

Finals will begin with just a small break, with the qualifying and elimination finals taking place next week.

Collingwood entertain Melbourne in the first qualifying final on Thursday 7th September and are priced at 1.82 to win and book their place in the preliminary final, while the Demons are available at 2.00.

In the other qualifying final a week on Saturday, Brisbane are priced at 1.42 to beat Port Adelaide, who are available at 2.90.

In the elimination finals on Friday 8th September and Saturday 9th September, we will say goodbye to two teams.

Carlton are 1.42 to beat Sydney, who can be backed at 2.90, while St Kilda and Greater Western Sydney are both available at 1.91 for their showdown.

The winners of the elimination finals will of course go on to meet the losers of the qualifying finals, with a prize in the preliminary finals at stake.