There are a number of significant sporting days on the calendar in Australia but it doesn’t get much bigger than AFL Grand Final day. This one-off event helps bring the curtain down on a long-hard season for the two sides involved and it rarely fails to deliver.
It is traditionally held at the MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground) at the end of September/start of October and the venue is jam-packed with two sets of rival fans roaring on their side throughout the contest.
It is a contest which helps decide the AFL Champion with the two sides having come through a number of potentially tricky play-off games in order to book their place in this game. The Premiership Cup and Premiership Flag will be awarded to the winner and unlike many other sporting competitions, the title has been shared amongst a number of clubs in recent seasons with very few sides being able to dominate the AFL for any length of time.
This event has the largest television audience and the largest attendance of any sporting event in Australia and it provides a major talking point amongst Aussie Rules fans.
New rules were implemented at the end of 2006 with all play-off games going to extra-time if the match is tied. These will consist of two periods which are five minutes each-way and if the teams cannot be separated, the game will continue until either team scores.
When and Where?
This event takes place at the end of September, occasionally creeping into early-October (depending on the calendar) and signifies the end of the AFL season.
It is always held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground which is a terrific sporting venue. It holds over 100,000 spectators and very few sporting events held at this stadium eclipse the attendance for Grand Final day.
Why is it so popular?
Aussie Rules is extremely popular with sports fans in Australia and the AFL is closely followed throughout the season. There is plenty of local pride at stake and fair-weather fans will often sit down to enjoy all of the action if their local side is lucky enough to make it all the way.
Even neutral fans enjoy the AFL Grand Final and rivalries with other teams also play a part in fan preference.
It is a sport which generates more revenue than any other and it is considered to be Australia’s premier sporting competition. It is extremely fast-paced and is hugely enjoyable to watch.
What betting opportunities are available?
Plenty. Aussie Rules is extremely popular in Australia but it has also started to gather momentum in the UK and throughout Europe. Online bookmakers price up every single match during the course of the regular season but the AFL Grand Final provides countless betting opportunities for punters.
The main market is the outright winner. This is a 50/50 market but the odds will reflect each side’s chances of success. These are usually based on current form/momentum and previous Grand Final appearances.
Popular Betting Markets
AFL Grand Final Winner – The simplest market and this simply requires punters to predict which side will be victorious and take home the Premiership trophy. Always check the terms and conditions carefully as some bookmakers will dictate that the tie MUST be won within regulation time.
Handicaps – These markets are extremely popular as they can often provide a little more value than a standard outright bet. These will be set according to the outright odds with the favourite being given a head-start on the points. For example – 6.5. During the regular season, it is not uncommon to see mis-matches with handicap markets such as -20.5 or -38.5 but the AFL Grand Final usually pitches together two in-form sides and therefore the difference in quality is minimal. This reduces the handicap.
The underdogs will also be given a handicap and this will be displayed as +5.5 and it will give bettors the opportunity to side with the outsider and suggest that they will keep it tight and stay within six points of their opponents.
Points / Totals – This is a great way of having a wager on the AFL Grand Final without having to pick a winner. It allows fans to predict either a high-scoring game or a low-scoring, cagey encounter. With plenty at stake, the line is often set slightly lower than during the regulation season.
Winning Margin – This is similar to the Handicap margin and is essentially predicting the winner with some degree of flexibility. For example – Geelong to Win between 1-7 points.
This is suggesting that it will be a small-margin win and they will have a narrow advantage when the final whistle blows.
Prop Bets – This an overarching term for several different bets which offer the chance to bet on very specific markets. These often focus on individual player performances or team totals.
Some examples include – Player X to have the most disposals or Player A to score the most goals. Team to Win the 1st and 3rd Quarter is another example of a specific prop bet which will usually pay out at generous odds, particularly in the AFL Grand Final.
Many online operators will also allow punters to request specific prop bets using social media and these are often added to the already-extensive list.
Bobby’s Big Betting Tips for the AFL Grand Final
- Weather can play a huge part! Even though the end of September often means that it can be seasonably mild, the climate can be interchangeable. If the final is played in treacherous conditions, it can result in a low-scoring game and create a relatively disjointed and fragmented game so always factor this into your bets.
- Head-to-Head. True, it is a one-off game and anything can happen but rivalries remain between sides and players will always be seeking revenge. If the fames between this pair during the regular season have been feisty and tumultuous, this may also creep into this game. It’s always wise to check how they fared during the regular season and whether there is any bad blood between the pair.
- Injury news is key. This game arrives at the end of a long-hard season and fitness issues can often play a part in dictating the outcome of this game. Always check injury news prior to having a bet as one missing forward could potentially swing this tie in the oppositions favour.
- Don’t be afraid to bet in-play. With two in-form sides meeting at the MCG, it can often be difficult to decide which side will come out on top. It is possible to wait until the match has got underway and the momentum and early passages of play may help point you in the right direction.
Where can I watch the AFL Grand Final in the UK?
BT Sport has exclusive rights to show all AFL matches in the UK. The AFL Grand Final is usually shown on BT Sport 1 in the early hours of the morning.
