AFL round 1 odds update, fixtures and early tips

Welcome to our AFL odds update, fixtures and early tips for AFL round 1, 2022, which kicks off with a grand final rematch at the MCG on Wednesday night. 

The early rounds of the AFL season are often a good opportunity for punters, with exposed form limited to those players that have partaken in the preseason matches, while others will go in cold after a long and tough off-season. 

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AFL 2022 will begin on Wednesday night, with reigning premier Melbourne hosting the Western Bulldogs at the MCG, which looms as an intriguing battle between two of the premiership favourites. 

The Demons are $1.61 to again beat the Bulldogs ($2.32) but they will have to do it without premiership players Trent Rivers (knee) and Harrison Petty (calf). 

However, they will be boosted by the return of Adam Tomlinson from a long-term knee injury, while all eyes will be closely watching to see who gets the nod out of Ben Brown and Sam Weidemann up forward. 

The Bulldogs have a clean bill of health, although they are closely monitoring defender Alex Keath, who suffered a kick to his shin in their final preseason match against Brisbane. 

Carlton ($2.85) will host Richmond ($1.43) at the MCG on Thursday night in what looms as an interesting battle in what will be Michael Voss’s first game in charge of the Blues. 

St Kilda ($1.61) will be hoping to get their season off to the perfect start against Collingwood ($2.32), which will be coached by former Brisbane Lions premiership player Craig McRae for the first time, on Friday night. 

Geelong ($1.56) will start favourite against Essendon ($2.44) in the traditional slot of 2.10pm on Saturday afternoon, with both of these teams expected to feature in the finals. 

Greater Western Sydney ($2.05) will go into their clash against Sydney ($1.80) as slight outsiders in what looms as a cracking contest on Saturday night. 

Brisbane ($1.53) will be hoping to put another disappointing finals campaign behind it when it hosts Port Adelaide ($2.51) at the Gabba  on Saturday night.

Hawthorn ($1.67) will play their first game under club champion Sam Mitchell against North Melbourne ($2.21) on Sunday afternoon, in what some are labelling an early wooden-spoon preview. 

This clash will also see the debut of no.1 draft pick Jason Horne Francis, with the young Roo among the favourites to win the 2022 AFL Rising Star Award.

Adelaide ($2.20) will host Fremantle ($1.68) with both teams hoping for a spike up the ladder, after below-par 2021 seasons, on Sunday afternoon. 

AFL round 1 2022 will close out with West Coast ($1.56) hosting the Gold Coast ($2.68) in the twilight fixture on Sunday, with both teams battling injuries and covid-related stresses heading into this clash. 

AFL Round 1 fixtures and odds

Wednesday, March 16

• 7:10PM: Melbourne $1.61 v Western Bulldogs $2.32 (W)

Thursday, March 17

• 7:25PM: Carlton $2.85 (W) v Richmond $1.43

Friday, March 18

• 7:50PM: St Kilda $1.61 (W) v Collingwood $2.32

Saturday, March 19

• 2:10PM: Geelong $1.56 v Essendon $2.44 (W)
• 5:10PM: GWS $2.05 v Sydney $1.81 (W)
• 8:10PM: Brisbane $1.41 (W) v Port Adelaide $2.93

Sunday, March 20

• 1:10PM: Hawthorn $1.67 v North Melbourne $2.21 (W)
• 4:10PM: Adelaide $2.20 v Fremantle $1.68 (W)
• 7:40PM: West Coast $1.56 (W) v Gold Coast $2.68

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