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Who will win and why? The tips and predictions for the AFL’s Opening Round, 2025
SEN • March 6th, 2025 7:00 pm
Footy is back this weekend, and while we thought we'd have four games awaiting us in Opening Round, there's no doubt the two games remaining will be considered a welcomed return for footy fans across the country.
The first game kicks off on Friday with the Swans hosting the Hawks at the SCG.
We'll also see the Giants take on the Pies at ENGIE Stadium on Sunday.
Which two teams will start off well and which two teams will get off to the dreaded 0-1 start?
Check out our tips and predictions for each game below.
Sydney v Hawthorn
Friday - 7:40pm AEDT – SCG
Sydney enters the 2025 season after going through the trauma of another heavy Grand Final defeat, having lost to Brisbane by 60 points in the 2024 decider.
They now have long-time assistant Dean Cox at the helm after he replaced premiership coach John Longmire in the off-season.
The Swans will be without captain Callum Mills as well as star midfielder Errol Gulden and key forward Logan McDonald, while there is a watch on Brodie Grundy for the season opener. Tom Hanily (AFL debut) and Ben Paton will both debut for the club.
On the other side of the fence, Hawthorn recovered from a 0-5 record to storm into the top eight last year, before eventually succumbing to Port Adelaide in a semi-final thriller. The Hawks became the darlings of the media with their brash and bold approach under Sam Mitchell mixed with their colour and fun in post-match celebrations.
Many are expecting that they will again be finals-bound in 2025, especially given the trade period acquisitions of defenders Tom Barrass and Josh Battle.
Looking at this matchup, the Swans were the highest-scoring home and away team in 2024, and were formidable at the SCG last year, winning 11 of 13 including their last four in a row. They’ve beaten the Hawks in their last three by an average margin of 66 points.
Even though the Swans have some key outs, it still may take time for Hawthorn’s new defenders to settle in. Sydney will still be seething from that Grand Final defeat and the playing group will be intent on kickstarting Cox’s coaching career with four points at home.
Prediction: Sydney by 11 points.
Andrew Slevison
GWS v Collingwood
Sunday - 3:20pm AEDT – ENGIE Stadium
What a matchup we have awaiting us here.
While many have GWS as their premiership favourites in 2025, their season hasn’t gotten off to the smoothest of starts.
Firstly, five Giants are unavailable due to suspensions from their controversial post-season dress-up event, and as a result, their depth will be tested given some key names like Jesse Hogan, Tom Green and Jake Stringer.
Looking at their opposition personnel-wise, Collingwood re-stocked in the off-season with the additions of Harry Perryman, Tim Membrey and Dan Houston. While Houston is unavailable this week with suspension, the Magpies head to Western Sydney with a near-clean bill of health and will be confident they can cause an Opening Round upset.
The Magpies also looked incredibly slick in their Community Series win over Richmond - particularly compared to how GWS looked in their heavy loss to Carlton - although they’re coming up against better opposition here in the Giants.
While GWS easily accounted for Collingwood in last year’s Opening Round clash thanks to some electric forward action, but they’re diminished inside 50 this time without spearhead Jesse Hogan.
At the other end of the ground, Collingwood’s is at full strength, but they’re coming up against an elite GWS backline led by Sam Taylor.
That means the game will likely be won in the midfield, and with Tom Green out of action, we’re leaning slightly towards the Magpies, especially if Nick Daicos gets off the Toby Bedford chain.
Prediction: Collingwood by 9 points.
Lachlan Geleit
