The Game AFL footy tipping: The star-studded cast of experts and celebrities to help guide you this season

An A-List line-up of sporting stars, West Australian celebrities, political leaders, retired players, columnists, sports reporters and commentators are set to go head-to-head and put their AFL knowledge to the test in The Game’s ultimate expert tipping panel.

SIGN UP FOR FREE AFL TIPPING WITH THE GAME

More than 40,000 tippers nationwide on The Game platform will be able to see who our 42 special pundits have selected before they make their own picks in every match ahead of each round, while bragging rights will be on the line for the panel, which is more star-studded than ever.

Among our experts this year are West Coast Eagles greats Ben Cousins, Danielle Laidley, Josh Kennedy, Xavier Ellis, Adrian Barich, Mark Hutchings and Sharrod Wellingham, along with former Dockers Paul Hasleby and Ryan Crowley.

AFLW captains Hayley Miller, from Fremantle, and the Eagles’ Emma Swanson will represent for the female league, while reigning Sandover Medallist Hamish Brayshaw, from one of football’s most well-known families, will look to bounce back from last year’s wooden spoon finish.

But Aussie rules won’t be the only sport represented on the panel this year, with the biggest West Aussie stars from a number of codes also putting their footy smarts to the test.

Perth Scorchers’ 2023 title hero Cooper Connolly is on board, along with one of the biggest names from the club’s female team, Alana King, with the pair joined by Australian cricket legend Justin Langer.

Perth Glory’s women’s captain Natasha Rigby and men’s forward Stefan Colakovski have also put their hand up for the panel, along with Perth Wildcats young gun Ben Henshall, Western Force recruit Nic White and the West Coast Fever’s new captain, who is set to be announced this week.

WA Premier Roger Cook and Opposition Leader Libby Mettam’s political rivalry will be nothing compared to their tipping feud, with the pair looking to prove who has the edge when it comes to their AFL knowledge, while City of Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas is also in the mix.

Australian netball legend turned The West Australian journalist Caitlin Bassett will turn her attention to footy, alongside sports editor Jakeb Waddell and reporters Samantha Rogers, Craig O’Donoghue, Mitchell Woodock and Chris Robinson, as well as last year’s tipping champion Glen Quartermain.

Channel 7 will also be well represented, with Sunrise hosts Nat Barr and Matt Shirvington on board, alongside commentators Abbey Holmes and Alister Nicholson, as well as 7NEWS Perth anchor Rick Ardon, sport presenter Ryan Daniels and reporter Anna Hay.

Rounding out the impressive list are columnist and ex-Olympian Georgie Parker, fantasy footy genius Selby Lee-Steere, Nova 93.7’s Nat Locke and the ultimate AFL whiz kid Mason McQuillan, who made headlines as Collingwood’s biggest fan ahead of the grand final last year.

And you can tip alongside our experts as well by signing up to The Game at thegame.com.au.

This year boasts one of the nation’s richest prize pools for tipping, with the top tipper set to receive $50,000 from TABTouch, while the weekly winner will get $1000 thanks to Thirsty Camel.

Even if you don’t back yourself, you can win big just for playing, with a randomly drawn new Mazda BT-50 Dual Cab 4x4 SP Pickup Auto, valued at over $76,000, up for grabs.

Perth’s Beryl Woodall has already claimed the early bird prize of $10,000, thanks to Thirsty Camel, for signing up before February 25.

After signing up to The Game, tippers can also create their own competitions to go up against friends, family, teammates or colleagues.

Tippers can make their selections and change them anytime before each match starts. If you’re struggling to make your choice, you can view live TAB Touch odds for each match or even randomise your tips for the round.

The expert tippers’ picks will also be printed in the Pregame liftout each week, free inside The West Australian ahead of every round.