AFL round 23 schedule and early odds analysis

Essendon and St Kilda will kick off a Friday night double-header to open AFL round 23, with the second game of the night having huge ramifications for the make-up of the finals series. 

The Bombers have been priced a $4.10 outsider against St Kilda ($1.24), but after their spirited showing last round, which saw them lose by 44 points to Geelong, this might be closer than anticipated. 

With 17 still on the injury list, Bombers coach Brad Scott admitted it was tough to find cohesion among his team, with two of their key position players — Liam McMahon and Archer May — joining the club in the mid-season draft. 

“We have a real challenge with our connection at the moment, two of our key forwards were taken in the mid-season draft, so there hasn’t been a lot of time to be able to work on that connection and it’s clearly still not at the level we need it to be,” he said. 

“The hardest thing is probably getting the supply and we edged in front in the last quarter and Geelong responded to that.

“Overall I think we competed really well and we were beaten by a better side.”

In the second game of Friday night, Fremantle ($1.75)  will host Brisbane Lions ($2.10) in a match that will have ramifications for the make-up of the top four, with both teams still in the hunt to secure a double chance.

Saturday football will start at the unusual time of 12.35pm, with Gold Coast ($1.50) favourites to defeat Greater Western Sydney ($2.60), in what is a finals-shaping clash, with both teams entrenched in the top eight. 

Carlton is a $1.49 favourite to defeat Port Adelaide ($2.63) after several weeks of upheaval, which has seen the club recommit to coach Michael Voss and part ways with football boss Brad Lloyd after seven years in the role. 

Hawthorn ($1.28) will be hopeful their ominous form in their mauling of Collingwood continues when they clash with Melbourne ($3.73) in the twilight fixture at the MCG, and they are likely again play their tall quartet up forward.

Ladder leader Adelaide is a $1.39 favourite to defeat Collingwood ($3.02) with PlayUp (PlayUp review) at the Adelaide Oval, and with the Victorian club seemingly on the ropes and falling, it’s hard seeing them upsetting the red-hot Crows. 

On Sunday, North Melbourne ($1.54) is expected to defeat Richmond ($2.49), Sydney ($3.11) are outsiders against Geelong ($1.37) and Western Bulldogs ($1.01) should continue heir finals charge against West Coast ($19). 

AFL round 23 fixture & early odds

AFL round 23, 2025 will kick off on Friday, August 15, and conclude on Sunday, August 17.

Friday, August 15

• Essendon ($4.10) vs St Kilda ($1.24) – 7:20 pm AEST – Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
• Fremantle ($1.75) vs Brisbane Lions ($2.10) – 8:20 pm AEST – Optus Stadium, Perth

Saturday, August 16

• Gold Coast SUNS ($1.50) vs GWS GIANTS ($2.60) – 12:35 pm AEST – People First Stadium, Gold Coast
• Carlton ($1.49) vs Port Adelaide ($2.63) – 1:20 pm AEST – Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
• Hawthorn ($1.28) vs Melbourne ($3.73) – 4:15 pm AEST – MCG, Melbourne
• Adelaide Crows ($1.39) vs Collingwood ($3.02) – 7:35 pm AEST – Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

Sunday, August 17

• North Melbourne ($1.54) vs Richmond ($2.49) – 1:10 pm AEST – Ninja Stadium, Hobart
• Sydney Swans ($3.11) vs Geelong Cats ($1.37) – 3:20 pm AEST – SCG, Sydney
• Western Bulldogs ($1.01) vs West Coast Eagles ($19) – 4:40 pm AEST – Marvel Stadium