AFL preliminary finals odds & schedule 2021

The AFL season is reaching the pointy end with AFL preliminary final weekend set to pit the four best teams against each other, after a tumultuous 2021 season.

Preliminary final weekend will open on Friday night with a heavyweight bout between minor premier Melbourne and Geelong at Optus Stadium, Perth, with it unable to be played in Victoria because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The second preliminary final will be between Port Adelaide and the Western Bulldogs at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday night, with the Power heavy favourites with Australian bookmakers.

Melbourne is now the premiership favourite having been sliced into $2.65 following their qualifying final victory over Geelong, while the Power are at $3 to win their second AFL flag. Geelong ($5) and the Western Bulldogs ($6) round out the premiership odds.

Here is the fixture information, team news and odds for the AFL preliminary finals for 2021.

Melbourne v Geelong odds, starting time and news

When: Friday, September 10, 2021; 7.50pm.
Venue: Optus Stadium, Perth
H2H Odds: Melbourne ($1.49) v Geelong ($2.65)

Melbourne is a deserved favourite to win the 2021 AFL premiership, but there is a definite case for the Cats, who had too much firepower for GWS. The Demons, who defeated Brisbane in their qualifying final, should regain speedster Jayden Hunt from injury, while Luke Jackson has been cleared of any serious damage after a heavy hit.

Geelong began to look more like themselves in the second half against the Giants, however it’s hard to gauge given how undermanned their opponent was. One thing is for sure, if the Cats are to win their two spearheads Tom Hawkins and Jeremy Cameron will need to play well.

The betting sites have given the Demons favouritism, installing their odds at $1.49, which looks about right given these two clubs both qualified for the top four.

Port Adelaide v Western Bulldogs odds, starting time and news

When: Saturday, September 11, 2021; 7.50pm.
Venue: Adelaide Oval, South Australia
H2H Odds: Port Adelaide ($1.49) v Western Bulldogs ($2.65)

Port Adelaide is going to enter this clash as the bookies’ elect, with the Bulldogs just scraping into the preliminary final, with a gutsy one-point win over Brisbane. The Power’s path was smoother with a strong victory over Geelong in a qualifying final and then a week off.

The Bulldogs are now sweating on the availability of superstar skipper Marcus Bontempelli after he suffered a knee injury against the Lions, although we think he would rather amputate than miss this contest. They will however be without young gun Cody Weightman, who was subbed out of the Lions clash with concussion.

The Power should have young forward Mitch Georgiades available for this contest, while x-factor Orazio Fantasia, who was subbed out of their qualifying final, is also expected to receive the green light to play.

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