The AFL‘s decision to postpone two of the four Opening Round games due to Cyclone Alfred has left the weekend with a trimmed down schedule as Sydney does the heavy lifting to get the season underway.
On Friday night last year’s beaten grand finalists will get their first chance to put that demoralising defeat to the Lions behind them when they play host to a rising Hawthorn side that was the biggest surprise packet of 2024 under the coaching of club great Sam Mitchell.
Two days later another battle of the heavyweights will play out in Western Sydney when GWS plays host to Collingwood at Engie Stadium.
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While the Swans have been heavily backed to get the job done in front of a packed SCG crowd, Nine’s footy community is tipping the Magpies for a smash and grab job over the Giants in what shapes as a mouthwatering Sunday afternoon clash.
AFL CEO Andrew Dillon (centre) at the Opening Round launch with Hawthorn’s Mitch Lewis, Sydney’s Will Hayward, GWS’ Jesse Hogan and Collingwood’s Mason Cox. via Getty Images
If you need help with your tips, here’s who Nine’s talent are backing:
Nathan Brown: Sydney, Collingwood
Rory Sloane: Sydney, Collingwood
Tom Morris: Sydney, GWS
Eddie McGuire: Hawthorn, Collingwood
Alicia Loxley: Sydney, Collingwood
Tom Steinfort: Sydney, GWS
Tony Jones: Hawthorn, Collingwood
Nat Yoannidis: Sydney, Collingwood
Clint Stanaway: Sydney, GWS
