We have expert betting tips for the upcoming AFL season, where the Brisbane Lions are best backed to win consecutive premierships.
The Lions are the $5.00 favourites, having won as $7.50 favourites last season, but the likes of the Cats, Hawks, and SUNS could have something to say.
We have season predictions, including Premiership winner, Coleman Medal winner, Brownlow Medal winner, wooden spoon, team previews, and our 2026 AFL season ladder prediction.
AFL Futures Tips & Predictions
—
AFL Premiership Winner – Geelong Cats
We had the Cats to win the Grand Final last year when losing heavily to the Lions, but they have every chance of bouncing back and going one better.
There is enough youth and exciting talent with the Cats to warrant attention, and although they’re on the third line of betting at $9 behind the Lions and SUNS, we rate them as the best chance of winning the 2026 AFL Premiership.
The likes of Bailey Smith, Jeremy Cameron, Sam De Koning, and Tyson Stengle are enough to give punters every reason to back the Cats. Take the $9 odds for them to win the premiership.
Bet: Geelong @ $9.00
Use Code 'GOBET500'AFL Premiership Winner Best Value – Hawthorn Hawks
It has been a steady progression for the Hawks, who took a few years for their younger players to start hitting top gear. After two good years, the Hawks could make the ultimate progression to premiership winners.
They have one of the most exciting rosters in Aussie Rules, and with some finals experience under their belts, that should hold them in good stead come September.
There is no scar tissue with this team, so they’ll come in fresh for a big run 2026, and a top four finish is highly likely.
Bet: Hawthorn @ $9.00
Use Code 'GOBET500'AFL Premiership Winner Best Roughie – Carlton Blues
It’s not always easy to include Carlton in AFL picks, but at $41, it’s worth having something on.
The Blues have struggled with consistency over the last few years, and losing Charlie Curnow to the Swans doesn’t help. However, they are playing with house money this year, as no one expects them to make the playoffs.
We think they will play much better than expected, and punters will get a good sight for their money. They qualify as a roughie chance at $41, so have something on the Blues to turn things around.
Bet: Carlton Blues @ $41.00
Use Code 'GOBET500'AFL Brownlow Medal Winner – Bailey Smith
Most of the money has come for Nick Daicos, which is the usual for Brownlow Medal betting markets. However, we have Geelong’s Bailey Smith coming up trumps.
The 25-year-old has a big year for the Cats last season, where he averaged 31.3 disposals per game, and his work in the ruck was outstanding.
With a grand final loss on his record, that could ignite the fire in his belly. He’s an emotional player, and if he can channel that, his 2026 year could be off the charts.
Punters get a healthy $15 for Smith to win the season-long honour.
Bet: Bailey Smith @ $15.00
Use Code 'GOBET500'AFL Coleman Medal Winner – Jeremy Cameron
It comes as no surprise to see us backing a Cats player to win the Coleman Medal. Jeremy Cameron is leading hope to kick the most goals, and he comes off a big year where he won the Coleman Medal.
He kicked a whopping 88 goals for the Cats, which was 12 more than he kicked in 2019 when winning his first medal. It was a mammoth effort from the 32-year-old, who is showing no signs of slowing down.
If he wasn’t hampered in the final against the Lions, Cameron could have been enough to give the Cats the premiership, so he’s an integral part of the team. $7 is a good price with AFL odds.
Bet: Jeremy Cameron @ $7.00
Use Code 'GOBET500'AFL Wooden Spoon – West Coast Eagles
It’s often a good decision to back the West Coast Eagles to win the wooden spoon, so we’re backing them in 2026.
There is nothing to get excited about for West Coast fans, and it will be another long year for the struggling franchise, which finished with only one win.
That’s a shockingly poor result, so take the $2.50 odds for the Eagles to win the wooden spoon.
Bet: West Coast Eagles @ $2.50
Use Code 'GOBET500'2026 AFL Team Previews
Adelaide Crows:
They won the minor premiership last season before being bungled out of the finals in quick time. That was disappointing, but the $12 chances could bounce back. They are the players needed to make another tilt at the minor prem.
Brisbane Lions:
The defending champions who have been best backed to win again. They have a rock-solid team, and they only need to avoid the Grand Final hangover to have a good year. An obvious top four pick for the $5 favourites.
Carlton Blues:
Losing Charlie Curnow could make it tough, but they’re our sneaky chance to have a big year at $41. The lack of drama surrounding Curnow could see them focus on winning games, and they’re over the odds at the generous price.
Collingwood Magpies:
Collingwood is always a title contender despite paying $17 to win. They have the senior players needed to make a deep run in the finals, and we think they’re going under the radar. A top eight spot is likely, so snap up the value in those markets.
Essendon Bombers:
It’s going to be a tough year for Essendon. The Bombers try hard, but injuries keep forcing them to regroup, and it could be a similar situation in 2026. They will finish close to the wooden spoon spot at $101.
Fremantle Dockers:
Fremantle is a team that lingers around the top eight, which could be the case again. They are $17 to win the AFL Premiership, which is an accurate price. They’re not top contenders, but they are good enough to beat the best teams.
Geelong Cats:
Our top pick to win the title. They went close last year when they lost in the final, and they have enough experience to recover. It’s a good mix of youth and experience, which is a recipe for success. $9 is available, and we would be shocked if they missed a top four spot.
Gold Coast SUNS:
There has been plenty of money come for the SUNS, so it could pay to follow the betting moves. They’re an improving team, which has been building towards something good for a few years. 2026 could be their year, so treat them with respect.
GWS Giants:
The Giants are $15 to win the title, which is an accurate price. They are likely to forge a good win/loss record during the regular season, and it will come down to playing well in the finals. They need to get over that hump, but we’re not ruling them out.
Hawthorn Hawks:
An excellent chance to win the premiership, the Hawks are a good bet at $9. They have played well over the last two seasons, and they weren’t far off making the AFL Grand Final last season. There is a sense of excitement with the Hawks, and it’s warranted.
Melbourne Demons:
It could be a long year for Melbourne, which isn’t fancied at $81. They have had off-field struggles, and we don’t see their form on the field taking off.
North Melbourne Kangaroos:
Winning a handful of games is considered a successful year for North Melbourne. We have them winning around 4-5 games, which should see them avoid the wooden spoon.
Port Adelaide Power:
It’s tough to know what Port Adelaide will show, but we have low expectations. The Power didn’t fire last season, and that form could continue this year. They are $67 for a reason.
Richmond Tigers:
The Tigers are $151 to win, but at much shorter odds to win the wooden spoon. It will be a long year for Tigers’ supporters, and winning a few games is about the best they’ll do.
St Kilda Saints:
There has been some support for St Kilda at $21. We don’t rate their chances of winning the title, but they are good enough to make the top 8. They’ll be fighting for a wildcard spot later in the year.
Sydney Swans:
The addition of Curnow adds some intrigue to the Swans, who firmed into $10 following the signing. It’s a big signing for a team that was searching for an answer, and a top 6 spot could be on the cards for Sydney.
West Coast Eagles:
They are our top pick… for the wooden spoon. Winning has become a struggle for the Eagles, who won a solitary game last season.
Western Bulldogs:
The Bulldogs are always a chance of causing a stir at $18. They have a solid team on paper, and they’ll be another team looking to squeeze into the finals.
2026 AFL Ladder Prediction
1. Geelong
2. Hawthorn
3. Brisbane
4. Sydney
5. Adelaide
6. Collingwood
7. Gold Coast
8. Carlton
9. GWS
10. Fremantle
11. Adelaide
12. St Kilda
13. Western Bulldogs
14. Port Adelaide
15. Essendon
16. North Melbourne
17. Richmond
18. West Coast
