AFL Grand Final First Goalscorer- Which player kicks the first goal in the AFL Grand Final?
This article previews the likely first goal scorers in the 2025 AFL Grand Final between Geelong and Brisbane. Jeremy Cameron (Geelong) is the overall favourite, but recent Grand Finals have tended to see midfielders strike first. Zac Bailey (Brisbane) also presents value, while Ollie Dempsey and Josh Dunkley are worth considering as roughies. A suggested staking plan is 4 units on Cameron, 3 on Bailey, 2 on Dempsey, and 1 on Dunkley. Bettors are encouraged to study recent trends, past meetings, and player form before placing their bets.
- Jeremy Cameron is the top pick for first goal scorer, supported by strong season stats.
- Midfielders have scored the first Grand Final goal in 10 of the last 15 years.
- Recommended staking plan: 4 units Cameron, 3 Bailey, 2 Dempsey, 1 Dunkley.
AFL Grand Final First Goal Scorer Preview
- AFL Grand Final First Goal Scorer Preview
- Geelong vs Brisbane 2025 Leading Goalscorers
- Geelong Cats vs Brisbane Lions First Goalscorers Head to Head
- Geelong Cats First Goalscorers
- Brisbane Lions First Goalscorers
- Previous Grand Final First Goalscorers
- AFL Grand Final First Goalscorer- Best Bets
Who will set the scene in the AFL Grand Final by snagging the much sought after first goal?
Geelong’s Jeremy Cameron is favourite in the First Goalscorer market with dabble at the $7.50 quote, ahead of Logan Morris, who is a $10.50 chance. Tyson Stengle, Patrick Dangerfield, Cam Rayner, Zac Bailey, Shannon Neale, Kai Lohmann, Shaun Mannagh and Charlie Cameron are all in the $13-$16 bracket.
Finding the first goalscorer in any match really is a lottery, but for those looking for an edge based on stats, the following might help.
Geelong vs Brisbane 2025 Leading Goalscorers
Geelong
Jeremy Cameron 88
Shannon Neale 43
Tyson Stengle 34
Ollie Dempsey 31
Shaun Mannagh 30
Patrick Dangerfield 30
Brisbane
Logan Morris 52
Zac Bailey 39
Cam Rayner 35
Charlie Cameron 28
Eric Hipwood 25
Callum Ah Chee 24
Geelong Cats vs Brisbane Lions First Goalscorers Head to Head
Brisbane got off to a flyer in the Round 15 match when winning in Geelong, while Charlie Cameron got the Lions off to a good start in the Qualifying Final before Geelong took over. He has featured early in recent contests, as well as Geelong’s Jeremy Cameron. Cam Rayner has also had an impact for the Lions, as has Oliver Dempsey for the Cats,.
- QF 2025- Charlie Cameron (Brisbane), Jeremy Cameron (Geelong), Oliver Dempsey (Geelong), Jeremy Cameron (Geelong)
- R15 2025 – Levi Ashcroft, Kai Lohmann, Darcy Wilmot, Cam Rayner (all Brisbane)
- R7, 2025 – Oliver Henry (Geelong), Oliver Dempsey (Geelong), Charlie Cameron (Brisbane), Cam Rayner (Brisbane)
Geelong Cats First Goalscorers
Geelong conceded the first three goals in the Preiliminary Final before Patrick Dangerfield snagged a confidence booster just before quarter time. Jeremy Cameron has hit the board early in recent matches.
- PF, 2025 – Mitch Lewis, Jack Ginnivan, Conor Nash (all Hawthorn), Patrick Dangerfield
- QF, 2025 – Charlie Cameron (Brisbane), Jeremy Cameron, Oliver Dempsey, Jeremy Cameron
- R24, 2025 – Jeremy Cameron, Jack Bowes, Tom Lynch (Richmond), Shaun Mannagh
Brisbane Lions First Goalscorers
Brisbane have scored the first goal just once in their past three matches with Charlie Cameron scoring the first against Geelong. Logan Morris has had early scoreboard impact in his past two matches.
- PF, 2025 – Mason Cox (Collingwood), Josh Dunkley, Zac Bailey, Logan Morris
- SF, 2025 – Ben King (Gold Coast), Noah Anderson (Gold Coast), Logan Morris, Callum Ah-Chee
- QF 2025- Charlie Cameron, Jeremy Cameron (Geelong), Oliver Dempsey (Geelong), Jeremy Cameron (Geelong)
Previous Grand Final First Goalscorers
Brisbane conceded the first goal in the past two Grand Finals, while Tom Hawkins opened Geelong’s account in 2023. An interesting stat is that in the past 15 seasons, the first goal in the Grand Final has come from a midfielder on 10 occasions and a ruckman once (Darren Jolly 2010). Forwards have broken through five times, including Jeremy Cameron when he played for GWS against Richmond in the 2019 Grand Final.
- 2024- Will Hayward (Sydney)
- 2023- Nick Daicos (Collingwood)
- 2022- Tom Hawkins (Geelong)
AFL Grand Final First Goalscorer- Best Bets
Take a staking plan into this one with a 4,3,2 and 1 unit on the following.
Jeremy Cameron (Geelong)- While history is surprisingly against forwards, Jeremy Cameron knows how to find the goals with 88 for the season and has featured regularly early on for his side this year. He kicked the first goal in the 2019 Grand Final and Geelong’s first in their recent matchup against Brisbane in the Qualifying Final.
Zac Bailey (Brisbane)- Given the success of those that play further up the ground in recent Grand Finals when it comes to kicking the first goal, Zac Bailey from Brisbane is definitely one to consider. He kicked the Lions first goal in the 2023 Grand Final and had two of their first three.
Ollie Dempsey (Geelong)- The 2024 Rising Star winner was all over the Lions in the Qualifying Final with three goals and 25 disposals, while he has featured early in two of the past three head to head matches between the two sides.
Josh Dunkley (Brisbane) - For those keen on an out and out roughie, Josh Dunkley is your man. Not known for his goalkicking prowess, the Lion has a great record against Geelong on the disposals front and with plenty of attention to be on the likes of Cam Rayner and Hugh McCluggage, he is one that can bob up again after he kicked Brisbane’s first against Collingwood last weekend.
Verdict
Take a 4, 3, 2, 1 staking plan for Jeremy Cameron, Zac Bailey, Oliie Dempsey and Josh Dunkley
Jeremy Cameron
First Goalscorer
@15/2 - 4 Units
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Zac Bailey
First Goalscorer
@14/1 - 3 Units
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Ollie Dempsey
First Goalscorer
@25/1 - 2 Units
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Josh Dunkley
First Goalscorer
@40/1 - 1 Unit
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Based in Melbourne, Adam is an avid sporting fan that loves a day at the MCG to follow his team, Hawthorn, in the AFL and the Aussies in the cricket, while he doesn't mind a day out at Moonee Valley, Flemington and Caulfield from time to time.
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