AFL First Goal Scorer Trends Posted on June 8, 2017June 7, 2018 | Posted by David Shortte Brown Lights It up Early Approaching the half way mark of the season I thought it would be a good idea to have a look at any trends that have emerged in regards to first goal scorers in season 2017 and there is one clear standout. That fellow is Kangaroos big man Ben Brown who has slotted the first goal of the match in five of the eleven matches he has played in this season. Incredibly he slotted the first goal in rounds 18,20 and 23 of last season meaning he has now kicked the first goal of the game in 8 of the last 16 matches he has played in! When you consider he has been at double figure odds on 6 of those 8 occasions his loyal followers have made a killing. Three separate players have slotted the first goal of the game on three occasions. Sam Reid from Sydney, Joe Daniher from Essendon and Luke Bruest from Hawthorn have all been hot early in games in the first half of this season. Sixteen other players have been the first goal scorer in matches twice this season. They are listed in full below but those at bigger odds to have bobbed up twice include Jade Gresham at Saint Kilda ($23 both times), Trent Cotchin at Richmond ($26 both times) and Patrick Dangerfield at Geelong ($17 both times). I did a piece prior to round one on the stars of last season in regards to first goal scorer and the big three from last season are yet to get warm in season 2017. Gary Rohan scored the first goal in 6 of his 18 appearances last season but is yet to score an opening major this season while Eddie Betts and Josh Kennedy after both scoring the opening goal on 5 individual instances last season have only managed one apiece so far this season. First Goal Scorer betting definitely has an element of luck about it – I referred to it as “the roulette wheel of AFL betting” in my column earlier this season but as these stats once again show some players are a lot more likely to make you money than others. I hope the figures help you to find a few winners in the back half of the season. Good Punting! David Shortte Multiple First Goal Scorers in 2017 Ben Brown (5 times in 11 games) Round 1 $14 Round 2 $12 Round 6 $9.50 Round 9 $12 Round 11 $10 Sam Reid (3 times in 10 games) Round 1 $14 Round 2 $14 Round 8 $11 Joe Daniher (3 times in 11 games) Round 2 $9 Round 5 $9 Round 9 $9 Luke Breust (3 times in 11 games) Round 2 $13 Round 5 $13 Round 10 $15 Jack Billings (2 times in 10 games) Round 1 $14 Round 10 $17 Orazio Fantasia (2 times in 11 games) Round 1 $15 Round 10 $11 Robbie Gray (2 times in 10 games) Round 2 $15 Round 3 $15 Jade Gresham (2 times in 10 games) Round 2 $23 Round 3 $23 Trent Cotchin (2 times in 11 games) Round 2 $26 Round 9 $26 Mark Lecras (2 times in 10 games) Round 3 $12 Round 7 $13 Alex Fasolo (2 times in 10 games) Round 3 $13 Round 4 $11 Jacob Weitering (2 times in 10 games) Round 4 $13 Round 8 $13 Rory Lobb (2 times in 9 games) Round 4 $13 Round 6 $15 Jack Riewoldt (2 times in 11 games) Round 5 $8 Round 8 $8 Tim Membrey (2 times in 10 games) Round 5 $9 Round 6 $9 Eric Hipwood (2 times in 10 games) Round 5 $13 Round 8 $13 Charlie Dixon (2 times in 10 games) Round 5 $8 Round 11 $9 Jeremy Cameron (2 times in 11 games) Round 7 $8 Round 8 $7 Dayne Zorko (2 times in 10 games) Round 9 $17 Round 10 $15 Patrick Dangerfield (2 times in 11 games) Round 9 $17 Round 11 $17
Scott Embry’s Wednesday Bunbury Preview January 20, 2026 RACE 1 LEAFICE will go around an eachway price and on the fresh side should be able to hold a position close-handy. The rail goes… Read More
Glenn Ingram’s Wednesday Mornington Preview January 20, 2026 RACE 1 RAINING FIRE is a half-sibling to the well-performed sprinter MRS CHRISSIE and showing similar ability at the trials and jumpouts. Locally-trained, the 4YO… Read More
Shayne Williams’ Tuesday Greyhound Best Bets January 20, 2026 MANDURAH Race 1 No. 1 Barium She’s been running well her last couple of runs off poor draws, now moves into box 1 which she… Read More
Matt Young’s Tuesday Gloucester Park Preview January 19, 2026 Race 1 MY ULTIMATE KEVVIE (1) has done nothing this time in to suggest that he’s a major player, but he has shown in his… Read More
Matt Young’s Monday Pinjarra Preview January 19, 2026 Race 1 YOUR KIDDING (5) was a bold winner last time out and has been stepping well in recent stand races, could work his way… Read More
Shayne Williams’ Monday Greyhound Best Bets January 19, 2026 MANDURAH Race 5 No. 8 Dawn Focus Was very impressive second up in the state last start, that was from box 1, when he jumped… Read More
Scott Embry’s Sunday Mount Barker Preview January 16, 2026 RACE 1 NISTIRITH is speedy, but whether she can hold on late is always going to be her issue in races. First-up, 1000m at Mt… Read More
Chris Nelson’s Saturday Gold Coast Preview January 15, 2026 RACE 1 Huge day of racing on the Gold Coast with the 2 & 3yo Magic Millions races our features. Track rated a soft (5)… Read More
Chris Nelson’s Saturday Rosehill Preview January 15, 2026 RACE 1 We race at Rosehill in Sydney on Saturday, track a soft (6) Thursday morning with more rain on the way & heaviest on… Read More
Scott Embry’s Saturday Ascot Preview January 15, 2026 RACE 1 BURNING BRIDGES won a 1000m barrier trial at Belmont without blinkers and then went straight to a 1200 on debut at Pinjarra. Thought… Read More
Glenn Ingram’s Saturday Flemington Preview January 15, 2026 RACE 1 BIG SKY is an obvious talent, he’s shown to be fast and despite doing a few things wrong he may be good enough… Read More
Scott Embry’s Saturday Esperance Preview January 15, 2026 RACE 1 GUARD THE MULLAH won a barrier trial on a Heavy at Belmont Park and was kept safe in betting at his return in… Read More