AFL Sydney Swans v Hawthorn Hawks: Abbey Holmes says breakout season has HokBall in league’s sights
Abbey Holmes has backed Sydney to win tonight’s AFL season opener but admits it will be a toss of the coin against 2024’s hottest team Hawthorn.
Holmes will again host Seven’s Friday night football coverage alongside James Brayshaw and this year will also host Sunday afternoon games, some of which will feature legendary broadcaster Bruce McAvaney.
The AFLW flag-winner said she was hotly anticipating tonight’s match between “two of the most exciting clubs to watch in 2024” and said there was more pressure on the Hawks despite Sydney having to rebound from their nightmare grand final loss.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“Last year, the Hawks probably over delivered in terms of what was expected from them,” she told The Nightly.
“My biggest question on the Hawks this year, is now there is that pressure and that expectation of them to perform each and every week, can they back it up?
“They didn’t have that last year, everybody watched in awe of what these young players like Calsher Dear and Nick “Wizard” Watson were able to do. We all just applauded that.”
Holmes said she lived and breathed footy but it didn’t mean she was a great tipster.
The face of The Game tipping competition, along with The Nightly columnist for and Richmond legend Matthew Richardson, joked picking the winners each week was “high stakes” within Seven’s AFL team.
“As long as I beat Matty Richardson, I’m a very happy girl. Being considered experts in the game is hard to live up. It’s high pressure, high stakes, but bring it on. We’re really looking forward to fans taking us on in The Game, so jump on and be a part of the competition,” she said.
Holmes said everybody at Seven was “just raring to go” with the first bounce just hours away.
“We got together a couple of weeks ago for our Seven AFL promo day, and it was the first time that we’ve all been together in the same room. And there’s just a real buzz,” she said.
“We’ve got some new faces on Seven AFL this year, which is very, very exciting. So I’m looking forward to getting stuck into it and to working alongside some new people this year as well.
“There’s nothing like prime time footy under lights, the fanfare and being there at boundary level amongst the players and the coaches.
“I’m a die-hard footy fan. I love the game. I know the game; I played the game. It really is a dream and a real privilege to be in the position to watch the action up close.”
Collingwood have the backing of most of The Nightly expert tipsters, including Holmes, in Sunday’s game against Greater Western Sydney.
To get involved and tip against Holmes and Richardson as well as your friends just click here.
