Aussie Rules Football Round 1 Betting Picks 2025
Round 1 of Aussie Rules Football for 2025 is here! The action kicked off today with Richmond vs. Carlton, however, we still have eight matches left in the round. This includes six matchups this weekend to help your betting fix! If you’re not ready to bet on March Madness until the big tourney, have no fear, AFL is here! Let’s take a look at the Aussie Rules Football Round 1 best bets, picks, and predictions!
If you’re wondering if you need some offshore book in order to bet on Aussie Rules Football, you don’t! You can get lines right at DraftKings. For those unfamiliar with the odd-shaped football, bigger-sized football, and lack of pads, this isn’t rugby. For a complete breakdown of Aussie Rules football, check out this page.
Aussie Rules Football Round 1 Best Bets, Picks and Predictions
Fremantle Dockers @ Geelong Cats (-13.5)
Friday, 3/14/25 at 10:20 PM ET (7:20 PM Pacific)
The first match on our Aussie Rules Football picks contains two teams with a lot of hype. Last year, the Geelong Cats lost in the preliminary final to the eventual league champs, the Brisbane Lions. They’ve been sitting on that leading up to this matchup against the Fremantle Dockers.
Fremantle has been hyped this offseason. They looked primed to play in the finals last year before suffering four straight losses. However, they’ve made changes in the offseason, including a top-tier player, Shai Bolton, through trade.
Despite some potential injuries the Dockers likely want to prove that they belong in the conversation as one of the top teams. The Cats likely feel the same. On top of that, the Geelong Cats have won their last nine opening home games. However, I don’t expect the Dockers to go easy. Geelong wins, but Fremantle makes them work for it.
Aussie Rules Football Round 1 best bet, picks, and predictions for this match: Fremantle Dockers (+13.5)
Brisbane Lions (-4.5) @ Sydney Swans
Saturday, 3/15/25 at 1:15 AM ET (10:15 PM Pacific)
The rematch from the 2024 Aussie Rules Football championship everybody has been waiting for is next on our Round 1 picks list. The Brisbane Lions go take on the Sydney Swans. These two met in September of 2024 in the Grand Final. Brisbane won that match. It shouldn’t be a surprise since they’ve won four in a row against the Swans.
Last week in their season opener, Sydney lost to Hawthorn. Having a match under their belt already this year could give them a bit of an advantage over Brisbane, who will open their season in Sydney. One of the top Lions’ players, Lincoln McCarthy re-tore his ACL. However, this team has the depth to be able to weather that storm. They have a multitude of other injuries as well that could hinder them.
Sydney will need to bring all they’ve got in their home opener to avoid starting the season 0-2. Some may think overcoming multiple injuries for the Lions, like the injury to Joe Daniher, may be too tough. The Swans will be out for revenge from last year’s final. However, despite injuries, I think Brisbane is the better team.
Aussie Rules Football Round 1 best bet, picks, and predictions for this match: Brisbane Lions (-4.5)
Port Adelaide Power @ Collingwood Magpies (-8.5)
Saturday, 3/15/25 at 4:35 AM ET (1:35 AM Pacific)
The next match on our Aussie Rules Football Round 1 picks list is the Port Adelaide Power at the Collingwood Magpies. Collingwood fans were disappointed with last week’s performance after they lost to the GWS Giants.
However, they open as favorites against Port Adelaide. The Magpies made improvements this offseason while the Power lost some of their talent. Dan Houston, a talented footy player, switched from the Power to the Magpies this offseason. Houston is suspended for five-weeks, but he can still help his new team prep for play against his old team.
The key player in this game will be Magpies Nick Daicos. He was stopped and slowed all week last week. However, I don’t think Power’s player Willem Drew can wrap him up in the same way GWS did last week.
Playing on the field is different than looking at the names on paper. However, on paper, the Magpies are a far better team. Despite losing last weekend, the Power would have lost that game as well and just don’t have the same amount of talent.
Aussie Rules Football Round 1 best bet, picks, and predictions for this match: Collingwood Magpies (-8.5)
St. Kilda Saints @ Adelaide Crows (-21.5)
Saturday, 3/15/25 at 9:35 PM ET (6:35 PM Pacific)
Last year the Adelaide Crows finished in the bottom four of the league. Now they open up as 21.5-point favorites against the St. Kilda Saints. Adelaide finished 8-14 last year while St. Kilda went 11-12. So why are the Crows such heavy favorites?
They’ve had a great off-season, adding key players and entering the season with no major injuries. The Saints on the other hand have to feel like half the starters are injured. I get it, there’s a lot of hype for the Crows and the Saints seem to be headed in the wrong direction.
However, changes don’t happen overnight. Improved programs can take some time to see results on the actual field. So to open as 21.5-point favorites feels off to me. I understand the argument that these teams may be headed in different directions. I still think St. Kilda shows up and surprises. Do they win? Maybe not. I think they keep it close though.
Aussie Rules Football Round 1 best bet, picks, and predictions for this match: St. Kilda Saints +21.5, sprinkle a little on St. Kilda ML at +215
