AFL: FIRST TERM REPORT

THE shifting at the top of the AFL premiership market is continually chopping and changing with the Sydney Swans and Geelong now sitting as equal favourites.

After eight completed rounds, which is a third of the season, six teams have had a turn as favourite.

As it stands six teams are in single figures with PlayUp with the Cats and the Swans both at $5.25, marginally in front of the Giants at $5.50.

Melbourne at $6.50 could be the best value followed by Collingwood at $8.

Let’s have a look at the teams and how they have performed so far in betting order.

1. SYDNEY SWANS $5.25

They have always been respected in the market but after eight rounds few would have had them at seven wins and one loss and top of the ladder. Their only loss came narrowly to Richmond in Round 4 and since then they have won four in a row. Isaac Heeney has been sensational. They have been four likely finalists in Melbourne, Collingwood, the Giants and Essendon.

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2. GEELONG $5.25

They have been the surprise packet. They have returned to something like their form of 2022 when they romped in with the AFL flag. They suffered their first loss last round to Melbourne and were far from disgraced. They have a lot of winnable games to come although they started with a soft draw.

3. GWS GIANTS $5.50

They were all the rage after the first five rounds when they sat on top of the ladder undefeated. Supposedly they had everything in place to be the best team but since then they have lost to Carlton, defeated Brisbane and lost to Sydney. Their superstar Toby Greene has been quelled in recent weeks.

4. MELBOURNE DEMONS $6.50

They have snuck up on the football world. Their forward line is better than last year but it’s still a work in progress but their defence is unsurpassable led by the twin pillars of Steven May and Jake Lever. They still possess a great on-ball team led by the superstars Max Gawn and Christian Petracca. Plus they play a game style which suffocates their opposition. They are looking good.

5. COLLINGWOOD $8

The epitaphs were being written close to quarter time of their match against Port Adelaide when they were six goals down. Then the switch was flicked. Since the Collingwood brand has been back as they steam rolled Port, drew with the in-form Essendon and then scraped in from the Blues. They look to be building as the season goes on.

6. CARLTON $8

The Blues kicked off the season with four wins but have since spluttered winning one of their past four matches. They have suffered a run of injuries which have hurt especially with key playmaker Adam Saad being out. They were unlucky against Collingwood so they are still very much in the premiership race.