Eight squads will duke it out for the coveted 2013 AFL Premiership. For bookies, however, only three teams—Hawthorn, Geelong, and Sydney—have a real shot at glory. These are the same clubs who have captured five of the last six flags. Hawthorn won in 2008; Geelong in 2007, 2009, and 2011; and the Sydney Swans are the defending premiers. And because only the top four clubs have won the ultimate prize since the current finals system has been implemented in 2000, the bookies’ assessment will likely prove to be spot-on.
It hasn’t exactly been a cakewalk—and it won’t be one all the way up to the Grand Final—for the aforementioned teams. Still, it’s hard to go against history. That, plus the fact that Hawthorn, Geelong, and Sydney rule the AFL standings, is why you should place your money on any of the three. You can expect them to continue proving their supremacy in the coming matches. In fact, in the recently concluded 21th fixture round, Hawthorn, Geelong, and Sydney continued their winning ways. Both the Cats and the Swans trounced their opposition as they posted emphatic victories against the West Coast Eagles and St. Kilda respectively. Hawthorn, on the other hand, managed to overcome a very game Collingwood team. As of this writing, two rounds of games remain before we get to the AFL finals. Hawthorn still has North Melbourne (away) and the Sydney Swans (away) lined up. Geelong still has the Sydney Swans (home) and the Brisbane Lions (home) on its plate. And as you can see, Sydney still has to do battle against the top two teams.
Hawthorn, who currently holds the top rung in the proverbial AFL ladder are naturally the heavy favourites to win it all come the 29th of September. Last year’s runners-up are $3.25 into $3 at Centrebet and $3 into $2.75 at the TAB right now. Geelong and Sydney, which hold second and third place respectively, share the second line of betting. Both squads are currently $4.25 to $3.75 at Centrebet and from $4 to $3.50 at the TAB. You can go to au.freebets.com for more information on these and other free bets, bonus offers, and promotions from all the leading bookmarkers.
The final weeks of this year’s AFL season will certainly be an exhilarating ride. For punters, though, it will be even more thrilling as they have their horses in the race for the premiership. You can be a bigger part of the Australian football frenzy by betting on yours. And if you’re having a hard time choosing your picks, then heeding the Bookies’ advice may be your best course of action.