Gut instincts earn Kelly $3000

Kelly Witt says trusting his gut when picking a winner helped him secure top spot on this year’s Courier Footy Tipping table, claiming the title after a close race to the finish.

Mr Witt guessed 153 game results correctly, placing him equal first for correct tips, with his margin prediction the deciding factor in securing top place in the final count against 530 other tippers.

The Nairne local said his predictions were driven solely by gut feeling, and his method has earned him $3000 cash – courtesy of tipping competition sponsor Mt Barker Irrigation Pump Depot.

“There were a few good tippers there, and I think one person scored a four in the last round,” Mr Witt said.

“But I just stuck to my guns and had no theory behind it – just be safe, that’s what I’ve done for the last three rounds – and it kind of worked out.”

Going into the final round, the top six spots were separated by a single correctly tipped game.

Mr Witt, who has been tipping in the contest for a decade, said his advice was to get selections in early, knowing they could be changed if needed.

He said missing just one week could throw a tipper out of the race.

“I did nearly miss a couple of weeks this year too (but I was able to) get them in quick,” he said.

“What I did was a first run on gut feeling then, if throughout the week I do hear something, I might change it and, if not, I leave them as is.

“But so many times I think I’ve lost by changing my gut feeling, so I’m sticking to that now.”

Mr Witt, a one-eyed Brisbane Lions supporter, said the biggest surprise on the field this home-and-away season was the Fremantle Dockers’ dominance.

But the WA club’s performance has not deterred him from backing his Lions as premiership winners for 2026.

“We knew they were on the cusp, but to only lose three games all year, I think that was a big surprise,” he said.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if they do win the grand final. But yeah, I think we (Brisbane Lions) can do it.”

In The Courier business tipping competition, Gawler Street Cafe claimed top spot with 154 correct tips to also pocket $3000, beating second-placed Total Tools Mt Barker and third-placed Mt Barker Bottle and Can Recycling Depot by just one point.