AFLW Finals Week 1 Tips 2026 | SGM Bets & Predictions!

Geelong didn’t just beat the Dogs, they sent them into finals looking like a cautionary tale. Eleven straight wins and a midfield running riot is a handy little CV heading into November.

Melbourne rolled Adelaide and arrive with plenty of confidence of their own, but now face their old coach Mick Stinear, who’s got the Cats absolutely humming. That reunion adds a bit of spice to an already enormous qualifying final. Geelong should keep rolling, though the Dees won’t hand it over without a scrap.

The Roos finished the home-and-away season by steamrolling Richmond and collecting a third straight minor premiership. They’re looking annoyingly close to unbeatable again.

Carlton’s comeback against Brisbane was a ripper, pinching fourth after looking cooked at half-time. That grit is real, but the Kangaroos are a completely different beast from a Lions side that let the door swing open. North should book another week off without too much drama.

Sydney pinched an absolute heart-stopper in Perth, with Chloe Molloy doing just about everything short of driving the team bus home. Their first home AFLW final is a huge moment, and Henson Park should be rocking.

The Dogs, meanwhile, got absolutely sausaged by Geelong and couldn’t have picked a worse way to warm up for November footy. They’re capable of bouncing back, but a battered midfield won’t help. Sydney to edge a proper finals scrap.

Gold Coast won their last outing but missed the double chance by the tiniest percentage sliver. That’ll sting, although the Suns have plenty of firepower to turn frustration into a long afternoon for visitors.

Hawthorn earned its ticket by demolishing West Coast and are rocking up with their tails firmly up. The Hawks won’t be handing out easy touches, and this looks more dangerous than the ladder suggests. The Suns at home just get the nod, but don’t be shocked if it turns into a nail-biter.