AFL tips: Pies backed for smash and grab as heavyweights clash

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.

READ MORE: Broncos' mad dash home before cyclone hits revealed

READ MORE: English cricket forced to apologise over Pope joke

READ MORE: 'Not a penalty': Joey up in arms over Crichton incident

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 poses for a photo with Mitch Lewis of the Hawks, Will Hayward of the Swans, Jesse Hogan of the Giants and Mason Cox of the Magpies during the 2025 AFL Opening Round Launch at Sydney Opera House on March 03, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/AFL Photos/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

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply