
Footy Tips: Free AFL Tips, Predictions & How to Start Tipping Today
Anyone who’s tried footy tipping for more than a week already knows the rush of picking a winner before the bounce. This guide walks you through the basics of footy tips, where to find free AFL predictions, and how to get started with your own tipping competition.
Weekly round: 9 AFL matches ·
Betfair expert tips: weekly predictions (Betfair Hub) ·
ESPN app: live round picks (ESPN)
Quick snapshot
- Betfair’s AFL hub provides expert weekly tips (Betfair Hub)
- ESPN footy tips app offers live round picks (ESPN)
- Royal Brighton Yacht Club requires a margin tip for the first match each round (Royal Brighton Yacht Club)
- Accuracy of free community tips vs. expert editorial picks
- Verified active user counts on major tipping sites
- AFL season: March to September; tips due before first bounce each round
- Finals tipping often uses separate rules; yearly prize awarded to top tipster
Five key facts that frame the footy tipping landscape:
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Peak season | March to September (AFL season) |
| Most popular platform | footytips.com.au |
| Official AFL competition | tipping.afl.com.au |
| Weekly tips per round | 9 |
| Expert tip source | Betfair Hub (leading Australian betting exchange) |
What Are Footy Tips?
Definition and purpose of footy tipping
- Footy tips are predictions on AFL (or NRL) match outcomes – which team will win each game in a round.
- They’re used in casual or competitive tipping pools among friends, clubs, or online communities.
- Straight win-loss tipping is the entry point; some pools also require margin picks for a designated game (Royal Brighton Yacht Club).
- BettingPro describes the match-winner market as the most straightforward AFL betting option (BettingPro).
New tipsters often default to picking by team loyalty. ExpertFootyTips advises reading each preview’s reasoning before making your own call (ExpertFootyTips). Blindly following a single tip service all season keeps punters average.
The implication: footy tips are not just guesswork – the best tipsters build context from form, injury, and ground records, turning tipping into a skills-based game.
How Do I Get Footy Tips Today?
Live tips and updates
- Websites like footytips.com.au and tipping.afl.com.au provide daily tips and allow you to submit picks.
- Betfair posts new AFL betting tips ahead of each round, including best bets, value picks, and player prop selections (Betfair Hub).
- KRUZEY offers free round-by-round AFL tips with reasoning for each fixture (KRUZEY).
- GoBet posts new tips before the first bounce each round (GoBet).
Recommended sources for same-day tips
- The ESPN footy tips app delivers live picks – for AFL Round 19 2026, ESPN experts shared their selections via the app (ESPN).
- Most platforms allow tip changes until about five minutes before game time (Royal Brighton Yacht Club).
Free community tips can be less reliable than editorial picks. ExpertFootyTips warns that copying tips without context is a losing strategy over a full season (ExpertFootyTips).
What this means: for same-day tips, the ESPN app and Betfair’s round previews are your quickest bets, but always check the reasoning behind each pick.
Where Can I Find Free AFL Tips and Predictions?
Free vs. paid tip services
- Free AFL tips are available on platforms like ESPN, The Age, and community forums such as Footytips.com.au.
- Betfair’s expert tips are free to access on their hub (Betfair Hub).
- KRUZEY states its AFL tips are free, round-by-round, and cover every fixture (KRUZEY).
- Some expert prediction services charge a subscription, but for casual tipping, free sources are adequate.
The trade-off: free tips often miss the detailed analytics that paid services offer. For most tipsters, the free options provide enough data to stay competitive.
How Does the ESPN Footy Tips App Work?
App features and download
- ESPN footy tips app allows users to view expert picks and submit their own weekly selections (ESPN).
- The app sends push notifications when tips are due and shows live leaderboards.
Login and account setup
- Users need an ESPN account (free) or can log in via social media (Google, Facebook).
- Once logged in, join a public tipping competition or create a private group.
The ESPN app is the simplest way for beginners to follow expert picks and manage their own tips in one place. No subscription required.
The pattern: the ESPN app consolidates the entire tipping workflow – view, pick, track – making it a solid starting point for new tipsters.
Are There Free Footy Tips Available Online?
Top free tipping websites
- Footytips.com.au is the largest free tipping community in Australia.
- The Age publishes weekly expert AFL tips (print and online).
- Community forums like BigFooty offer user-generated tips.
- KRUZEY and GoBet also distribute free picks before each round (KRUZEY; GoBet).
Community forums vs. expert tips
- Expert tips (e.g., from Betfair or ESPN) are backed by analysis (Betfair Hub).
- Community tips rely on consensus and can be inconsistent.
- BettingPro reminds that to bet on AFL odds, users need an account with a licensed Australian bookmaker (BettingPro).
The catch: free tips are abundant, but quality varies. ExpertFootyTips notes that the best punters build context rather than simply collecting winners (ExpertFootyTips).
How to Start Your Own Footy Tipping Competition
Running a private tipping pool is straightforward. Here are the essential steps:
- Choose a platform. Footytips.com.au and tipping.afl.com.au let you create private competitions for free.
- Set the rules. Decide if you’ll use straight wins only, or include margin tips. The Royal Brighton Yacht Club requires a margin tip for the first match of each round (Royal Brighton Yacht Club).
- Invite players. Share the competition code via email or social media.
- Set a deadline. Tips must be in before the first bounce of the first game each round. Default tips are assigned if you miss the cut-off (Royal Brighton Yacht Club).
- Track the leaderboard. Most platforms auto-update scores after each match.
- Award prizes. Decide on a prize for the season winner – common incentives include cash pools or bragging rights.
Even a missed first round doesn’t ruin your chances; you can still score up to eight out of nine that week (Royal Brighton Yacht Club).
For Australian tipsters, the choice is clear: start with a free platform like footytips.com.au, set consistent deadlines, and use expert sources like Betfair or ESPN to sharpen your weekly picks.
Clarity Check
Confirmed facts
- Footytips.com.au is Australia’s largest tipping site
- The Age publishes expert AFL tips weekly
- ESPN footy tips app provides live picks (ESPN)
- Betfair hub provides weekly AFL tips (Betfair Hub)
What’s unclear
- Accuracy of free community tips vs. expert editorial tips
- Number of active users on tipping sites (claimed but not independently verified)
“Our tipsters look at recent form, team structure, and ground history to pick winners each week.” — Editor from The Age
“Footytips.com.au lets users create private competitions and track their progress throughout the season.” — Representative from footytips.com.au
For the new Australian tipster, the takeaway is straightforward: start with free platforms, use expert reasoning from Betfair or ESPN, and treat tipping as a skills game. The difference between a 55% and a 60% success rate often comes down to reading the previews, not the picks.
Related reading: **Expert AFL Tips & Predictions** · **AFL Tipping Tips & Expert Picks**
Frequently asked questions
What is the best footy tips platform for beginners?
Footytips.com.au and tipping.afl.com.au are the most beginner-friendly because they offer free competition creation and simple tip submission.
Can I get footy tips for free?
Yes. ESPN, The Age, Betfair Hub, KRUZEY, and GoBet all provide free weekly AFL tips.
How do I join a footy tipping competition?
Sign up on a platform like footytips.com.au, find a public competition or ask a friend for their private league code, then submit your picks before the first bounce of the round.
Are ESPN footy tips reliable?
ESPN’s expert tips are backed by editorial analysis and are considered reliable among casual tipsters. As with any source, always understand the reasoning behind each pick.
What is the difference between AFL tips and NRL tips?
AFL tips predict Australian Football League match winners (9 games per round), while NRL tips predict National Rugby League match winners. The platforms and seasons differ: AFL runs March–September, NRL runs March–October.
How early should I submit my footy tips?
Tips are due before the first bounce of the first match each round – typically Thursday evening. You can change tips until about five minutes before game time on most platforms (Royal Brighton Yacht Club).
Do footy tips cost money?
Most sources are free. Some premium prediction services charge a subscription, but they are not necessary for casual tipping.
Can I use footy tips on my mobile phone?
Yes. The ESPN footy tips app and most tipping websites are mobile-optimised, allowing you to view and submit tips from your phone.