Even though the dust has barely settled on AFL 2023, footy lovers are already looking forward to the 2024 season. The release of the betting odds have only heightened that.
It was the Collingwood Magpies that reigned supreme in 2023 as they romped to success in the Grand Final against Brisbane Lions having already won the minor premiership at the end of the home and away season.
Topping the ladder can sometimes see a side peak too early and there were some signs of that during the finals, but the Magpies ensured they left a little bit more room to spread their wings fully in the Grand Final.
However, can they do it all over again? Australia's betting sites have made the Magpies the early favourites at $5.50 to win the Grand Final in 2024, and it is not difficult to see why.
The Magpies secured 18 wins from 23 matches in the home and away season, while they went unbeaten in the finals as they defeated Melbourne Demons and GWS Giants in scraps before edging the Lions 90-86 in the premiership decider.
The likes of the Brisbane Lions ($6.00), Melbourne Demons ($7.50) and Carlton Blues ($8.50) all played well in 2023 and were prominent in the finals series. They are next in the betting behind the Pies for a reason.
The Lions were beaten 90-86 by the Pies in the Grand Final. Meanwhile, the Demons were knocked out in the semi-finals while the Blues were beaten in the prelims.
While the Lions were beaten in the Grand Final, as the Demons and Blues fell earlier in the finals, the trio of sides looked strong across the season, and are predicted to take those 2023 performances and improve in 2024.
Further out in the betting you can back the Giants ($9.00) to follow up their run to the Preliminary Finals, along with the Port Adelaide Power ($12.00) and the Sydney Swans ($12.00), the latter two having disappointed in the 2023 finals.
One candidate that may interest many is the Geelong Cats. The Cats had a disappointing year as reigning premiers, but are $15.00 to bounce back from a campaign to forget in 2023 by going all the way in 2024.
Their triumph in 2022 feels like a long time ago now, with their 12th-placed finish seeing them end eight points short of the Swans in eighth. 10 wins, 12 defeats and one draw is hardly the output of a Grand Final-winning team and question marks linger over the ageing roster.
Ultimately, the months that will elapse between now and the start of the season in March will see the odds shift. Right now, however, the Pies lead the betting to defend their crown.
