Whether you're into flutters, fantasy footy or anything inbetween, here are six predictions you ought to consider for this weekend's action.
Geelong v Brisbane Lions (Saturday, 2:30pm AEST)
The Cats are on an almost unprecedented scoring run, piling on 100+ points in eight straight games, which is the second-longest such streak in the club’s history.
Little wonder that they won all eight games, especially with some high quality players such as Jack Henry, Sam De Koning and the ever-irritating but effective Connor O’Sullivan manning the back three.
Tom Stewart was also an instrumental defensive operator when the Cats tore Brisbane apart at the MCG during the qualifying finals, but his heartbreaking absence through concussion should give the Lions a little bit of assistance in defending their Premiership crown.
It may also see the total points exceed 170.5 with Geelong’s games averaging a hefty 180 total points in 2025 because of their enormous and prolific scoring, and with that in mind it comes as little surprise that nine of their last ten matches saw 171+ total points.
Geelong’s last six finals matches also cleared the total points handicap so we’ll very confidently be backing the ‘overs’ in addition to Brisbane covering the +12.5 point handicap, trusting that Chris Fagan has figured out how to improve significantly on the qualifying final loss.
Match prediction: Over 170.5 total points
Brisbane have played their best footy with their backs to the wall, winning five of their seven games as underdogs this year after last week’s clutch finish against Collingwood, whilst they covered the line in 16 of their last 17 games as outsiders whether winning or losing.
This team already knows how to win on the last Saturday in September, but we’ll stop a fraction short of declaring them victors against a very impressive Geelong side.
Match prediction: Brisbane +12.5
We can’t blame you if you’re sitting on the fence in terms of picking a winner considering how tricky a game it is, and whilst this third pick isn’t necessarily a tip as such, consider it a recommendation for those of you who are expecting a close game but perhaps aren’t familiar with the literally hundreds of markets offered on any single AFL game.
Referred to on some websites as a ‘tri-bet’ or a ‘winning margin’ market, there are many websites that will allow you to back one team to exceed a certain winning margin such as 16.5 points, or 24.5 points, or alternately back either team to win by less than said margin. It’s an option certainly worth considering.
Match prediction: Either team by under 24.5 points
Lions veteran defender Dayne Zorko will, all things going to plan, join five of his teammates to become the first group of players to start 27 matches in back-to-back seasons.
It’s an incredible testament to the 36-year-old’s longevity and reliability that he has been able to see through 54 games in two years and he needs 29 disposals in this Grand Final to complete his best ever year in terms of both total and average possessions in one season.
He has averaged 26 disposals per game in both 2024 and 2025, thanks in part to his role as the main man for kick-ins from the defensive goal square, and with Geelong likely to be heavy scorers he should be racking up quite a few kicks this weekend.
Back him to clear 25+ disposals for a 16th time this year.
Player prediction: Dayne Zorko 25+ disposals
Joining him on 25+ this weekend should be Lions centre Hugh McCluggage, who has played a massive role in their run to the big dance with 33 touches against Gold Coast and 37 against Collingwood last week.
That means he’s on a run of securing 27+ disposals in eight of his last nine games, though there is one glaring exception that cannot be ignored.
Perhaps the reason you can get much better than even money for a 25+ count this week is that the Cats - well, Oisin Mullin to be precise - kept him to a season-low tally of just 14 disposals in the qualifying final.
McCluggage has been taking advice from teammate Lachie Neale as well as Lions mentor Trent Cotchin about dealing with taggers, having faced several throughout 2025, and is insistent that he has learned some valuable lessons from three weeks ago. We’re willing to give him another chance at a good price.
Player prediction: Hugh McCluggage 25+ disposals
Finally, we’ll sign off for 2025 by picking another man to make amends for a quiet qualifying final in the form of Geelong’s Shaun Mannagh, who went goalless against the Lions three weeks ago whilst the likes of Cameron and Neale dominated the Brisbane defence.
Surrounding that, Mannagh booted 2+ goals in the other four of his last five games. Geelong’s success will rest on changing up their gameplan and Chris Scott could unlock Mannagh’s best here. Given he has a 45% success rate of kicking 2+ goals this year, 2.75 or thereabouts looks to be a nice price for a speculative throw at the dartboard.
Best of luck and we’ll see you in 2026!
Player prediction: Shaun Mannagh 2+ goals