TOP ODDS to finish top four
THE 2023 AFL season is less than two weeks away, so what better time to look at the odds and best teams to finish at the pointy end of the ladder?
GEELONG
THE Cats are the welldeserved favourites after a dominating grand final win last year.
Geelong has the best goalkicking duo in the league with Tom Hawkins and Jeremy Cameron, and stars everywhere. Tom Stewart and new captain Patrick Dangerfield are two of the best players in the league.
Geelong plays an unselfish and classy brand of footy that can easily win another premiership this season.
To make top 4: $1.50
MELBOURNE
THE Dees won the 2021 premiership and are too good a team to not have another since.
With arguably the best overall midfield, now combined with two of the modern great ruckmen in Max Gawn and huge offseason pick-up Brodie Grundy, the top four and a grand final appearance is the aim for them this season. To make top 4: $2.05
BRISBANE LIONS
IT’S a grand final appearance or bust for coach Chris Fagan and his men.
Adding Jack Gunston and Josh Dunkley in the trade period, while also gaining Will Ashcroft, are handy inclusions.
And Jack Gunston’s sharpshooting will be invaluable.
The Lions have only lost five home games in the past three years, and that alone should help them shore up a top-four finish.
To make top 4: $2.10
RICHMOND
THE Tigers’ premiership window has been smashed open once again as the arrivals of Jacob Hopper and Tim Taranto add muchneeded class and grunt. Dusty Martin was in and out of the team all season and by all reports is tearing it up at training this pre-season, while Tom Lynch finished the season as the best forward in the AFL.
If they’re unbeaten after five games, 2023 could be the year of the Tiger.
To make top 4: $2
SYDNEY
A BELTING in last year’s grand final overshadowed a great season for the Swans, with a side that still has a perfect balance between youth and experience.
Callum Mills and Isaac Heeney had career-best years, and the Swans’ amazing culture should help them towards the top six again.
To make top 4: $2.65
COLLINGWOOD
THE Pies launched up the ladder in 2022 in chaotic fashion, winning nine games by seven points or less.
The law of averages suggest that Collingwood will drop down the ladder this season. But the addition of Tom Mitchell gives them the inside midfielder they didn’t have in 2022, plus Dan McStay at half-forward only makes the Pies stronger.
To make top 4: $3
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