The first goal scorer is one of the most popular bet types on the AFL Grand Final and Betseeker have crunched the numbers to help find you a winner this Saturday.
| Market | Preview |
|---|---|
| Best Bets | Match Preview & Best Bets |
| Player Props / SGMs | Player Prop & Same Game Multi Tips |
| Norm Smith Medal | Norm Smith Medal Tips |
While the betting market tends to be dominated by forwards, in recent years it has generally been midfielders that have kicked the first snag, with 11 of the last 13. Forwards have kicked only two in that time.
The position of the first goal scorer in Grand Finals dating back to 1980 is as follows:
| Forward | 21 |
| Midfield | 18 |
| Ruck | 1 |
| Defender | 1 |
| Bench | 1 |
The 2022 decider features two players who have previously kicked the first goal in a Grand Final: Luke Parker from Sydney, who scored the opener in 2016 against the Dogs, and Jeremy Cameron from Geelong, who kicked the first in 2019 when playing for GWS.
These teams have both been great first goal kicking teams in 2022, Geelong ranked #1 with 15 and Sydney equal #2 with 14.
Jeremy Cameron and Tom Hawkins have each booted three first major for the Cats this season, while four Swans have each recorded two: Errol Gulden, Isaac Heeney, Tom Papley and Luke Parker.
First Goal Scorer Tips
Luke Parker fits the mould of goal kicking midfielders who have kicked the first snag in recent years and he has done it twice already this season. The veteran also kicked the first goal in the 2016 decider, so he is capable under pressure. Paul Salmon and Alistair Lynch have both bagged the first goal in a Grand Final on two occasions.
Danger looks to be in supreme form coming into the Grand Final and bagged the first goal in the Preliminary Final against the Lions, his second opening snag for the season despite playing only 17 games. He will be in the middle at the first bounce and has proven to be a dangerous goal kicker coming out of the centre square.
Previous AFL Grand Final First Goal Scorers
The Grand Final first goal scorers since 1980 are listed below:
1980: Dale Weightman, Richmond, Midfield
1981: Mark Williams, Collingwood, Midfield
1982: Wayne Johnston, Carlton, Forward
1983: Richard Loveridge, Hawthorn, Forward
1984: Leigh Matthews, Hawthorn, Forward
1985: Dermott Brereton, Hawthorn, Forward
1986: Jason Dunstall, Hawthorn, Forward
1987: Wayne Johnston, Carlton, Forward
1988: Peter Schwab, Hawthorn, Midfield
1989: Gary Ablett Snr, Geelong, Forward
1990: Paul Salmon, Essendon, Forward
1991: Peter Sumich, West Coast, Forward
1992: Trevor Poole, Geelong, Midfield
1993: Paul Salmon, Essendon, Forward
1994: Tony Evans, West Coast, Midfield
1995: Craig Bradley, Carlton, Midfield
1996: Tony Lockett, Sydney, Forward
1997: Jason Heatley, St Kilda, Forward
1998: John Blakey, North Melbourne, Midfield
1999: Brett Ratten, Carlton, Midfield
2000: James Hird, Essendon, Midfield
2001: Alastair Lynch, Brisbane, Forward
2002: Anthony Rocca, Collingwood, Forward
2003: Alastair Lynch, Brisbane, Forward
2004: Josh Carr, Adelaide, Midfield
2005: Mark Nicoski, West Coast, Bench
2006: Ashley Hansen, West Coast, Forward
2007: Cameron Mooney, Geelong, Forward
2008: Tom Lonergan, Geelong, Forward
2009: Max Rooke, Geelong, Forward
2010: Darren Jolly, Collingwood, Ruck
2010: Tyson Goldsack, Collingwood, Defender
2011: Travis Varcoe, Geelong, Midfield
2012: Xavier Ellis, Hawthorn, Midfield
2013: Jack Gunston, Hawthorn, Forward
2014: Josh Kennedy, Sydney, Midfield
2015: Luke Shuey, West Coast, Midfield
2016: Luke Parker, Sydney, Midfield
2017: Rory Sloane, Adelaide, Midfield
2018: Travis Varcoe, Collingwood, Midfield
2019: Jeremy Cameron, GWS, Forward
2020: Dion Prestia, Richmond, Midfield
2021: Christian Petracca, Melbourne, Midfield
