AFL finals week 1 schedule, odds and predictions

WELCOME to our AFL finals series week 1 schedule, odds and free tips for the four games taking place from Thursday to Saturday. 

Minor premiers Port Adelaide will open proceedings on Thursday night when they host Geelong at the Adelaide Oval. The Power have been installed $1.72 favourites to defeat Geelong ($2.10). 

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On Friday night, Brisbane ($2.25) will host flag favourite and defending champion Richmond ($1.65) at the Gabba and despite finishing higher the Lions will go into this clash as outsiders. 

The twilight fixture on Saturday will see St Kilda host the Western Bulldogs at the Gabba from 4.40pm. The Bulldogs have been installed at $1.76 and the Saints at $2.05. 

Week 1 of the AFL finals will then conclude when West Coast host Collingwood in a battle of two of the biggest clubs in the land. The Eagles ($1.39) have had the recent wood over the Magpies ($2.94) and their odds reflect this. 

Below are the fixture details and early winner tips for the four AFL finals games taking place from Thursday, October 1, to Saturday, October 3. 

Port Adelaide v Geelong

Date: October 1, 2020
Time: 7:40pm AEST
Venue: Adelaide Oval
Head to head odds: Port Adelaide ($1.72) v Geelong ($2.10)
Line betting: Port Adelaide -3.5 ($1.90) v Geelong +3.5 ($1.90)
Our tip: Geelong’s recent record in finals suggests the Power might get the job done here at home. Port Adelaide look to be less reliant on their big spearhead than their opponent and seem to have more tricks in the bag. Our early gut feel is the Power to win by seven points. 

Brisbane v Richmond 

Date: October 2, 2020
Time: 7:50pm (AEST)
Venue: Gabba
Head to head odds: Brisbane ($2.22) v Richmond ($1.65)
Line betting: Brisbane +5.5 ($1.90) v Richmond -5.5 ($1.90)
Our tip: Bank the Tigers to win at $1.65 which are odds we don’t think will be available for long. We think the Lions are a bit of a false top four team and Richmond are highly likely to win this truncated season, starting with an easy win here. Take Richmond to cover the $1.90 line with Unibet with confidence. 

St Kilda v Western Bulldogs

Date: October 3, 2020 
Time: 4:40pm (AEST)
Venue: Gabba
Head to head odds: St Kilda ($2.05) v Western Bulldogs ($1.76)
Line betting: St Kilda +3.5 ($1.90) v Western Bulldogs -3.5 ($1.90)
Our tip: The Western Bulldogs look to have a bit more big match experience and absolute top-end talent than their opponents. We think the Dogs will win a low-scoring one here. 

West Coast v Collingwood

Date: October 3, 2020
Time: 8:10pm AEST
Venue: Optus Stadium
Head to head odds: West Coast ($1.39) v Collingwood ($2.94)
Line betting: West Coast -13.5 ($1.90) v Collingwood +13.5 ($1.90)
Our tip: We are tipping this elimination final to be the best game in week one of the finals. Two traditional powers battling it out in week one of the finals — it doesn’t get much better. The West Coast look to be more balanced at both ends if McGovern and Kennedy play, but we’ll be waiting for the teams before making a final call. 

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