2016 AFL Ladder Predictions, Team by Team Betting Tips and AFL team special bets.
Posted on 22/08 by T J Dilfer
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Sportsbet.com.au provides the latest odds for bet-au.com in our 2016 AFL Ladder predictions.
Only one round of the home and away season left and the Top 8 is finalised. The big question is who will secure a treasured double chance spot?
Latest Flag odds and predicted finishing positions below:
Updated ladder predictions and odds below.
2016 AFL Ladder Predictor and odds after Round 22 and latest Premiership odds
| AFL Ladder Predictor | betting odds | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Sydney | $3.25 | |
| 2. Adelaide | $3.75 | |
| 3. Geelong | $5.00 | |
| 4. Hawthorn | $5.50 | |
| 5. GWS Giants | $13.00 | |
| 6. West Coast | $41.00 | |
| 7. Western Bulldogs | $51.00 | |
| 8. North Melbourne | $101.00 | |
| 9. St Kilda | $1001.00 | |
| 10. Melbourne | not available | |
| 11. Richmond | not available | |
| 12. Carlton | not available | |
| 13. Collingwood | not available | |
| 14. Port Adelaide | not available | |
| 15. Fremantle | not available | |
| 16. Gold Coast | not available | |
| 17. Essendon | not available | |
| 18. Brisbane | not available |
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Season Predictions and suggested bets before Round 1.
Adelaide Crows – 2016 AFL Ladder Prediction 10th
The story of the year, losing their head coach Phil Walsh in a tragic accident – rallying themselves to squeeze into the top 8, then winning the elimination final against the Western Bulldogs in an old school AFL classic shootout!
Once again they have come off worse in the free-agency trade period losing their star midfielder Patrick Dangerfield to Geelong (add that to the list of ex-Adelaide AFL star names such as Bock, Davis, Vince, Tippett).
They have the front half right with big key forwards Tex Walker and Josh Jenkins, with Betts/Cameron the exciting small forwards (Betts was their highest goal kicker in 2015 with 63 goals and placed 2nd behind the eventual Coleman Medallist Josh Kennedy, impressive huh).
No doubt they can score big – I just worry that their clearances from the middle will go down after losing contested ball magnet Dangerfield, which will lead to more pressure on their defence (which is ok, but doesn’t have depth).
Adelaide Crows 2016 Flag odds $21.00
Win/loss prediction: 12W - 10L
Recommended season bet: Over 11.5 wins at odds of $2.00 with Sportsbet
Adelaide Leading Goal Kicker Best Bet: Taylor Walker at odds of $2.00 with Sportsbet
Brisbane Lions – 2016 AFL Ladder Prediction 16th
Brisbane have zero depth to their list. Zero. They do have some exciting players in the mosquito brigade i.e. Zorko, Rich and Taylor – also a fearless Captain in Rockliff (in Rd 22 had 45 touches with a goal against eventual Premiers Hawthorn).
I also know we can’t forget names like Dayne Beams (and brother Clay who knows how to play footy), Mitch Robinson (good role player, but nothing more) and Pearce Hanley (who can shred the corridor like the best in the AFL, coming off hamstring injuries though) – but if they lose 1, 2 or more of these guys for any length of time Brisbane’s odds rise higher than.
Good 2016 AFL draft aside, expect the Lions to have another top 2 pick in the 2016 Draft.
Brisbane Lions 2016 Flag odds $151.00
Win/loss prediction: 5W - 17L
Recommended season bet: Under 5.5 wins at odds of $1.90 with Sportsbet
Brisbane Leading Goal Kicker Best Bet: Josh Walker at odds of $3.00 with Sportsbet
Carlton – 2016 AFL Ladder Prediction 17th
It sure is hard to have been a Carlton supporter (and I know many) these past few seasons. Three different Coaches and Veteran lead Judd retired (sadly with an ACL injury).
They may be able to withstand a little punishment but Carlton won’t be able to put up a score that will challenge the opposition with very few avenues to goal and no midfield depth. But, no longer Wooden spoon favourites,
Carlton 2016 Flag odds $251.00
Win/loss prediction: 4W - 18L
Recommended season bet: Under 4.5 wins at odds of $1.90 with Sportsbet
Carlton Leading Goal Kicker Best Bet: Andrew Walker at odds of $5.00 with Sportsbet
Collingwood – 2016 AFL Ladder Prediction 12th
The list is solid and stable, though not finals material. Good bookends, good midfield (Ruck could improve).
Expect sterling seasons again from Pendlebury (whose stats last year suggested Brownlow Medal contention), Swan and lock down Defender Frost (90% efficiency last season). Their big bookends in Nathan Brown, Reid and Cloke are too injury prone so the load will fall on the midfield to defend and small forwards to kick their scores.
Will fall short of finals again, and when they do expect Head Coach discussion to arise.
Collingwood 2016 Flag odds $23.00
Win/loss prediction: 10W - 12L
Recommended season bet: Under 12.0 wins at odds of $1.90 with Sportsbet
Collingwood Leading Goal Kicker Best Bet: Jamie Elliott at odds of $3.00 with Sportsbet
Essendon Bombers – 2016 AFL Ladder Prediction 18th
My previous prediction of Essendon’s 2016 AFL Season was very conservative. I am honestly surprised this team has managed to keep afloat after digging themselves such a deep hole (I’ll save my breath as we’re all sick of the news).
They are the reason I won one of my AFL Tipping Comp’s last year (with their win over Collingwood in the LAST GAME of the season), though with the recent suspension of half their team Essendon will safely win this year’s wooden spoon.
A new Coach, their top players out, god knows who on the list, a delayed pre-season and more will have me and many others changing the channel before the bounce. I had also previously written be sure to bet and tip against them often in the 2016 AFL Season, now affirmed as the best course of action. May win a wet game here and there, and will be scoring very low scores (so look at total point under markets in their games).
Essendon Bombers 2016 Flag odds $1001.00
Win/loss prediction: 3W - 19L
Recommended season bet: Over 1.5 wins at odds of $1.90 with Sportsbet
Essendon Leading Goal Kicker Best Bet: Odds not yet available
Fremantle – 2016 AFL Ladder Prediction 1st
Sadly Fremantle again fell short in the post-season. I’m tipping another top of the table finish due to the additions of X-Factor Harley Bennell (could literally be anything), which will free up Fyfe to play Centre Half Forward and give Pavlich (who rightly has decided to play on, I would’ve won a lot of money tipping this) some marking support.
Elite small forwards Ballantyne and Walters (2015 highest team goal scorer with 44) both missed a lot of time in the 2015 season, this should be noted.
The Dockers have a ton of ruck and midfield depth so the above changes will give the opportunity to a young recent draftee (Brady Grey, Connor Blakely or Lachie Weller) to cement a gig in the middle. Good 1 on 1 defenders and plenty of run off the back flanks should have them win the most games in the AFL 2016 season. The Dockers are available at as big as $6.00 to win the Minor Premiership, our money is already on!
Fremantle Dockers 2016 Flag odds $9.00
Win/loss prediction: 18W - 4L
Recommended season bet: Over 13.5 wins at odds of $1.90 with Sportsbet
Fremantle Leading Goal Kicker Best Bet: Harley Bennell at odds of $12.00 with Sportsbet
Geelong – 2016 AFL Ladder Prediction 8th
The Cats have absolutely cleaned up over the past few free-agencies, adding Midfield bull Josh Caddy, elite Full Forward Mitch Clark (whose future is uncertain), mobile Ruckman Rhys Stanley and Key Defender Jared Rivers (recently retired).
They have also drafted well and have coverage across the pitch (though little depth).
There are holes in defence despite All-Australian Harry Taylor, and expect some scores kicked against them due to their front-running midfield but Geelong will return to the AFL 2016 Season Finals (on the back of a big year from Tom Hawkins, Mitch Duncan and both the Selwoods).
Geelong 2016 Flag odds $10.00
Win/loss prediction: 13W - 9L
Recommended season bet: Under 14.0 wins at odds of $1.90 with Sportsbet
Geelong Leading Goal Kicker Best Bet: Tom Hawkins at odds of $1.50 with Sportsbet
Gold Coast Suns – 2016 AFL Ladder Prediction 16th
Will struggle to put a competitive team together this year, I may be proven wrong but this is my humble opinion. They have lost an elite midfielder in Bennell (Fremantle), and an angry monster Forward/Ruck in Charlie Dixon (Port Adelaide) who finished 2nd in their goal scoring with 41 (3rd was Matera with 18, a big drop off).
Will be bolstered by the return of Rising Star winner Jaeger O’Meara and their Captain (and a Brownlow Favourite) Gary Ablett. Will secure another top 3 draft pick and I would advise betting and tipping against them many often throughout the 2016 AFL Season.
Gold Coast Suns 2016 Flag odds $51.00
Win/loss prediction: 6W - 16L
Recommended season bet: Under 9.5 wins at odds of $1.90 with Sportsbet
Gold Coast Leading Goal Kicker Best Bet: Gary Ablett at odds of $6.00 with Sportsbet
GWS Giants – 2016 AFL Ladder Prediction 11th
No other team in the AFL has as much young talent as the Giants do. They have drafted/traded expertly over the past few years, with the only chinks in their armour being in the Ruck (solved now with the addition of a healthy Mumford and backup in Patton).
They will play finals (and win them) – though not just yet, a little more development first.
Can score consistently with a Coleman Medal favourite Jeremy Cameron (worth a cheeky bet/tip). Will again cause upsets with tipping this coming 2016 AFL Season.
GWS Giants 2016 Flag odds $67.00
Win/loss prediction: 11W - 11L
Recommended season bet: Over 10.5 wins at odds of $1.90 with Sportsbet
GWS Giants Leading Goal Kicker Best Bet: Jeremy Cameron at odds of $1.40 with Sportsbet
Hawthorn – 2016 AFL Ladder Prediction 2nd
3 in a row Premiers is no easy feat, and despite me having them finish 2nd Hawthorn are obviously still the Flag favourites.
I do feel they will drop a few games as the older bodies are slightly more injury prone than they once were. Jarryd Roughead was a Coleman Medal favourite and that's an obvious blow, but with strong systems and the best list depth in the AFL, the Hawks can manage his half season loss.
Not much to fault and I would safely have them finish in the Top 4.
Hawthorn 2016 Flag odds $4.00
Win/loss prediction: 17W - 5L
Recommended season bet: Over 16.0 wins at odds of $1.90 with Sportsbet
Hawthorn Leading Goal Kicker Best Bet: Odds not yet available
Melbourne – 2016 AFL Ladder Prediction 14th
Melbourne made forward progress last year, with Rising Star winner Jesse Hogan dominating up forward (also finished top 3 in the AFL for contested marks).
They have shown they can defend and transition quickly, though with few avenues to goal they can barely put up a winning score.
Rd 1 against the Giants at the MCG will prove to be a tipping challenge (Melbourne have beaten St Kilda 2013 and Gold Coast 2014 in Rd 1). Their 2014 #1 AFL draft pick Christian Petracca should debut Rd 1 after injuring his ACL last pre-season, a sneaky chance at the 2016 AFL Rising Star award.
Melbourne 2016 Flag odds $101.00
Win/loss prediction: 7W - 15L
Recommended season bet: Under 7.0 wins at odds of $1.90 with Sportsbet
Melbourne Leading Goal Kicker Best Bet: Jesse Hogan at odds of $1.40 with Sportsbet
North Melbourne – 2016 AFL Ladder Prediction 9th
North keep knocking on the premiership door, though unless they improve on their inconsistencies and fluctuating form they will never get there (and I have them dropping out of the finals this year).
A great Coach, some of the best 1 on 1 defenders in Firrito, Adams and Thompson, the AFL’s best mobile Ruckman in Goldstein and two dominant (yet inaccurate) forwards led by Petrie and Waite.
A balanced team but with no true standouts all season long. There’s no doubt they can win finals games, though it is doubtful they will get the chance to this year. Will lose a few games when tipped as favourites this year… again.
North Melbourne 2016 Flag odds $18.00
Win/loss prediction: 12W - 10L
Recommended season bet: Under 12.5 wins at odds of $1.90 with Sportsbet
North Melbourne Leading Goal Kicker Best Bet: Lindsay Thomas at odds of $5.00 with Sportsbet
Port Adelaide – 2016 AFL Ladder Prediction 3rd
A bold claim, though I believe the Power will fly to the top again after a very disappointing finish.
They have an even stronger list than last year, with the recent addition of Charlie Dixon up forward and Ryder last free agency (who missed games and never got his groove in 2015).
Not for the first time in 2015 did a small forward (Chad Wingard) kick the most goals for his club (53). Another preseason and a long, hard look in the mirror will have Port Adelaide beat the elite and dig deep to place in the top 4, which is where their list suggests they should.
Port Adelaide 2016 Flag odds $11.00
Win/loss prediction: 16W - 6L
Recommended season bet: Over 14.5 wins at odds of $1.90 with Sportsbet
Port Adelaide Leading Goal Kicker Best Bet: odds not yet available
Richmond – 2016 prediction 7th
The Tiger is stirring. Slowly, oh so slowly Richmond has become more consistent and made consecutive finals series.
The AFL looks far too easy for Dustin Martin (who could win a Brownlow if he applied more to training, a natural footballer), and the addition of Yarran (along with Rance and Houli) gives them even more of a chance to rebound from defence.
Jack Riewoldt will hopefully have the ball delivered to him better in the 2016 AFL Season, and will likely be their highest goal scorer again (54 in 2015) and will have a good look at his 3rd Coleman Medal. The Tigers, should they make finals again absolutely need to win one, else it will be another wasted season.
Richmond 2016 Flag odds 13.00
Win/loss prediction: 13W - 9L
Recommended season bet: No bet advised
Richmond Leading Goal Kicker Best Bet: Jack Riewoldt at odds of $1.44 with Sportsbet
St Kilda – 2016 AFL Ladder Prediction 13th
Having secured forward McCartin as their number one pick last year and powerful marking forward Bruce having a breakout year with 50 goals (St Kilda’s leading goal scorer) they should be able to put up a score (if they keep errors to a minimum).
A very good midfield led by Jack Steven, Armitage and Montagna should give St Kilda and their stoic Captain Riewoldt (whom is likely in his final year in the AFL) opportunities to win the winnable games.
Likely another top draft pick heading their way with their young talent needing another year to adjust to AFL standard, though St Kilda have shown they can shootout with the best after some high scoring games in the 2015 AFL Season.
St Kilda 2016 Flag odds $101.00
Win/loss prediction: 7W - 15L
Recommended season bet: No bet advised
St Kilda Leading Goal Kicker Best Bet: Josh Bruce at odds of $1.80 with Sportsbet
Sydney – 2016 AFL Ladder Prediction 5th
Straight sets finals exits circa Fremantle 2014 have us thinking are Sydney done? But the answer is no, they are not done.
Tippett, Franklin, Richards, Jack, Kennedy and Hannebery are names you shouldn’t forget in a hurry. Both Tippett and Franklin had interrupted years, and still kicked more than 40 goals each.
Hannebery was one of the Brownlow Favourites (though Sydney’s star studded midfield has a few Brownlow chances). A couple of retirements will give some starving youth a chance to cement an AFL identity and it is by the narrowest of margins I have Sydney missing out on the 2016 AFL Season top 4.
Sydney Swans 2016 Flag odds $12.00
Win/loss prediction: 15W - 7L
Recommended season bet: Over 15.0 wins at odds of $1.90 with Sportsbet
Sydney Leading Goal Kicker Best Bet: Kurt Tippett at odds of $1.90 with Sportsbet
West Coast Eagles – 2016 AFL Ladder Prediction 4th
West Coast were never really going to beat Hawthorn, despite it all being setup for them to leave the AFL Grand Final victorious.
We were all shocked at their GF berth despite losing their 2 best key defenders to knee injuries before the season started. But they adapted and worked with what they have, a midfield led by Priddis, Masten and Shuey – with Natanui feeding the pill to them on the regular.
Josh Kennedy will likely start as favourite for the Coleman after winning the Medal this year with 80 goals. They regain their injured defenders and will pose a serious threat to all who face them early in the 2016 AFL Season.
West Coast Eagles 2016 Flag odds $6.00
Win/loss prediction: 15W - 7L
Recommended season bet: No bet advised
West Coast Leading Goal Kicker Best Bet: No bet advised
Western Bulldogs – 2016 AFL Ladder Prediction 6th
Nothing beats a young team playing finals when nobody expects it (circa Port Adelaide 2013). A friend of mine won big on their ‘games won’ handicap in 2015, and the Bulldogs should’ve really played Hawthorn in the Semi-Final this year also.
They can kick a score through Dickson, Crameri and Stringer (highest goal scorer with 56). They can intercept off halfback through Wood and Murphy.
Bontempelli will be a future Brownlow Medallist if he sticks to the midfield, and their tenacious speed an attack on the ball will have the Western Bulldogs finishing in the top 8 again in 2016.
Western Bulldogs 2016 Flag odds $18.00
Win/loss prediction: 14W - 8L
Recommended season bet: Over 12.0 wins at odds of $1.90 with Sportsbet
Western Bulldogs Leading Goal Kicker Best Bet: No bet advised
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