A beginner's betting guide to the Australian Football League

If you’re a fan of fast-paced and thrilling sports, then you’re in for a treat with the Australian Football League (AFL). The AFL is a popular professional sports league in Australia that features the unique and exciting sport of Aussie rules football.

Learn more about it and dive right into the thrill of AFL with this AFL betting guide:

Key takeaways

• Aussie rules football has two teams with 18 players each from the country’s mainland states. The tournament happens from March to September, featuring a 23-match regular season.
• Australian and American football are two different sports with distinct game mechanics.
• The team favourites to win in the 2024 season include Collingwood Magpies and Brisbane Lions. 

What’s the difference between Australian and American football? 

Aussie rules and American football are two distinct sports with differences in their mechanics. One of which is the shape of the ball used in each sport. Aussie rules use an oval-shaped ball, similar to rugby. 

On the other hand, American football uses a more elongated and pointed spheroid-shaped ball. The playing field is also different with Aussie rules having an oval shape and is bigger, while American football is played on a rectangular field with unique markings and yard lines.

Aussie rules football has plenty of goals and non-stop action and has no offside rule. On the other hand, American football has frequent stop-and-starts defined by its strategic plays, with teams often huddling between plays to discuss tactics. 

Bet on the AFL here

What is AFL and how does it work?

The AFL is the highest level of Aussie rules football consisting of two teams with 18 players each from the country’s mainland states. It is a 23-match regular season held from March to September. 

The league’s annual home-and-away season ends with the top team awarded the minor premiership. The top eight clubs then compete in a four-round finals series at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. 

Finals format

The AFL finals format consists of many elimination and qualifying matches that decide who will play as AFL premiers. Its format highlights the finest of Aussie rules football by focusing on performance, resilience, and strategy:

Finals week 1: Qualifying finals (QF) and elimination finals (EF)

• 1st vs 4th (QF 1)
• 2nd & 3rd (QF 2)
• 5th vs 8th (EF 1)
• 6th vs 7th (EF 2)

Finals week 2: Semi-finals (SF)

• QF1 loser vs EF1 winner
• QF2 loser vs EF2 winner

Finals week 3: Preliminary finals (PF)

• QF1 winner vs SF1 winner
• QF2 winner vs SF2 winner

Finals Week 4: Grand final

• PF1 winner vs PF2 winner

How to bet on AFL at Gamdom

Take your AFL experience to new heights by betting on exciting matches at Gamdom. Follow these steps to get started:

• If you don’t have a Gamdom account yet, simply register and deposit the coin of your choice.
• Click on the ‘Sports Betting’ category and choose ‘Aussie Rules’
• Select the match you bet on and check the odds.
• After you make a selection, your bets will be instantly added to your bet slip found at the right corner of the screen.
• Review your selections and click ‘Place Bet’.

Everything you can expect in the 2024 AFL season

AFL betting is one of the best ways you can support your favourite teams and experience the thrill of the AFL season like never before. With the 2024 AFL season lasting until September 28, 2024, expect to witness plenty of thrilling matches and notable moments.

Ride the hype with these 2024 AFL predictions you can maximise to make informed betting decisions:

Collingwood to dominate the field

Collingwood is the reigning champs of the 2023 AFL and they are diving right into the 2024 season with a strong roster to win the premiership once again. The team gets an advantage with star players like Lachie Schlutz and a skilled head coach like Craig McRae leading the team. 

With highly experienced members on their side and a hunger for another win, Collingwood is expected by fans to dominate the field and possibly win the premiership, especially if they consistently play until the grand final.

Carlton to put up a good fight

Carlton has been a successful team in the AFL but hasn't reached the finals since 2013. Since then, the team has been actively improving its roster through trades and drafts. Players like Charlie Curnow and Sam Walsh have the potential to be stars in the 2024 AFL season.

Although the team lost six games throughout the season, they managed to make it to the top four and play in the preliminary round. With a stronger roster and drive to prove themselves, Carlton is a team to keep an eye out for in the 2024 ASL. 

Brisbane to be a serious contender for the Premiership

Brisbane’s strong lineup just got better with the addition of Tom Doedee, who placed second in the 2018 NAB AFL Rising Star with 42 votes. The team also finished the 2023 AFL season with a strong home-and-away record of 12-0 win-loss ratio, giving them a strong push this season. 

Melbourne to make a comeback

Melbourne fell short in the 2023 AFL which is why fans believe they will make a strong comeback in 2024. They maintained a high level of consistency throughout the past season, finishing fourth with 16 wins and 7 losses. In the 2024 season, fans expect to see Melbourne rise again, especially with the return of Harrison Petty, one of Melbourne’s star players.

2024 AFL: Favourites to win

With plenty of strong teams showcasing their immense skills and talents this 2024 AFL season, only a few captured the attention of fans due to their consistent plays. Some of the most notable AFL teams in the 2024 season include:

Brisbane Lions

The Lions have consistently been a strong team in the regular season, winning three AFL premierships. With an impressive record, fans believe they have what it takes to build momentum throughout the 2024 season and make it to the grand final. 

There is also the fact that the team came close to premiership glory with their match against Collingwood in the 2023 AFL grand final. Brisbane lost by 86-90, earning them the 2nd place. Nevertheless, this cemented their position as a top contender for the 2024 AFL.

Collingwood Magpies

The Collingwood Magpies are the defending champion of the 2023 AFL season and have since started the 2024 AFL with strong matches. Many believe that they can win once again due to their impressive momentum. 

The team’s coach, Crag McRae has been praised for his leadership and tactical nous. McRae further boosted the skills of the Magpies’ core group of players like Scott Pendlebury and Darcy Moore.

Carlton Blues

Carlton Blues is considered one of the best teams in the 2024 season as they went from bottom to top four in the 2023 AFL. This dramatic turnaround showcased their potential and ability to peak at the right time.

Fans also believe that the experiences of their rising stars like Lachie Fogarty from the 2023 season will provide crucial lessons to instil a win in the 2024 ASL. All they have to do now is find their momentum and form a strategy to assist their strong players like Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay on the field.  

Melbourne Demons

The Melbourne Demons are no stranger to an AFL premiership, boasting a win in 2021. Although they haven’t made a huge stride toward achieving the same feat, Melbourne has been playing consistently in the matches, especially with their star duo Steven May and Jake Lever.

The two defenders suffered a minor injury in their recent match against Hawthorn in March 2024. However, this didn’t hinder the team from dominating the field and winning the game. Fans believe that the incident will only fire up Melbourne’s performances, giving them a high chance of winning the 2024 AFL. 

Tips for betting on the 2024 AFL

One of the best ways to support your favourite teams this 2024 AFL season is to bet on them at Gamdom. This way, you will experience the thrill of matches even better when the team you wagered on wins.

You can also boost your odds of winning with these AFL betting tips:

• Analyse historical data → Review historical data to spot trends and patterns in the AFL seasons. Consider factors like team performance against certain opponents to make informed predictions.
• Follow team news → Be updated on what’s happening in the team and pay close attention to any changes that affect the result of the match. Keep an eye out for injuries and suspensions that change the team's strategies and impact their odds. 
• Be selective → Avoid betting on every match and instead focus on games that you have a strong opinion on. Successful betting is all about quality bets over quantity. 
• Set a budget → Manage your betting session by setting a budget and sticking to it. This will help you keep track of your wagers and avoid chasing losses. 

Wager hassle-free with crypto on AFL matches at Gamdom

With this ultimate AFL betting guide, it’s time to put your predictions to the test by betting using crypto on the 2024 AFL matches at Gamdom. At the site, you can bet on both live and future AFL games hassle-free and boost your wins with generous bonuses and promos. 

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