{"id":85484,"date":"2026-04-27T13:37:58","date_gmt":"2026-04-27T03:37:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/?p=85484"},"modified":"2026-05-06T09:34:56","modified_gmt":"2026-05-05T23:34:56","slug":"2026-afl-round-8-tips-preview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/2026\/04\/2026-afl-round-8-tips-preview\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 AFL Round 8 Tips & Preview"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A couple of top eight blockbusters bookend Round 8 as we kick things off on Thursday night with a good old-fashioned grudge match between the red-hot Hawks and an improving Collingwood outfit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Crows and Power headline Friday’s slate with\u00a0finals\u00a0aspirations on the line in The Showdown, before the ladder-leading Swans step out on the SCG on Sunday to take on a Melbourne side that has caught everyone off guard.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

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\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n
\n
Collingwood<\/div>\n
vs<\/div>\n
Hawthorn<\/div>\n
Thursday 30th April 2026 7:30 PM (MCG)<\/div>\n
Tip: Hawthorn to Cover (-21.5)\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n

The Pies finally found their mojo in front of goal last week in an ANZAC Day blowout over the Bombers, and\u00a0they\u2019ll\u00a0need\u00a0plenty of\u00a0more of that against a Hawthorn side that did an equal number on the Suns.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hawthorn is averaging\u00a0nearly five more\u00a0goals a game compared to Collingwood, while\u00a0they\u2019ve\u00a0also been much better at limiting turnovers and winning stoppages.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Pies did well to apply solid\u00a0forward half pressure against a young Bombers outfit last week, but this Hawks team\u00a0has been the\u00a0second-hardest\u00a0to score against all year. We saw them pile on goals in a hurry twice last week when Gold Coast came back in the third term, the\u00a0hallmark of a genuine Premiership contender.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\n Pies vs Hawks<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n
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\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n
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Western Bulldogs<\/div>\n
vs<\/div>\n
Fremantle<\/div>\n
Friday 1st May 2026 7:30 PM (Marvel Stadium)<\/div>\n
Tip: Fremantle 1-39\u00a0@\u00a0$2.15\u00a0<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n

These two sides put on a couple of blockbusters last\u00a0year,\u00a0the Dockers winning both meetings by a couple of goals.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Freo never really put the foot down last week in a 14-point home win over Carlton, although Justin Longmuir has\u00a0to\u00a0pleased\u00a0with the way his side won the\u00a0centre\u00a0clearances and\u00a0proceeded\u00a0to get the ball inside 50.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Dogs are wounded and potentially out of bark at this point, which was obvious last Thursday night when they faded after losing at quarter time to go on and lose by 66 points.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Worringly, the Dogs gave up a whopping 77 inside 50 entries to Sydney, which\u00a0doesn\u2019t\u00a0bode well based on what was just mentioned about Freo\u2019s ability to win the ball out of the\u00a0centre.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\n Bulldogs vs Dockers<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n
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\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n
\n
Adelaide Crows<\/div>\n
vs<\/div>\n
Port Adelaide<\/div>\n
Friday 1st May 2026 8:10 PM (Adelaide Oval)<\/div>\n
Tip: Port Adelaide (+11.5)\u00a0<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n

It\u2019s\u00a0high stakes in the first Showdown of the year with both clubs looking to vault themselves back into finals contention.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Port built on a narrow loss to Hawthorn to put the Cats away by five goals last week, a spirited performance led by not only Zak Butters, but the in-form Jason Horne-Francis.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On the back of an emotional win over St Kilda the week prior, the Crows came crashing back to earth against the reigning premiers, surrendering a concerning 12 goals over the second and third quarters in what\u00a0was Brisbane\u2019s biggest win of the season.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There\u00a0isn\u2019t\u00a0a great deal separating these two teams statistically, but the fact a loaded forward line like Adelaide\u2019s ranks 12<\/span>th<\/span>\u00a0in points per game is alarming for coach Matthew Nicks, alongside some of the turnover issues that continue to plague his\u00a0side each week.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Power have proven first starters in\u00a0a number of\u00a0games this year, while the Crows are struggling to find their legs (and points) in the fourth quarter.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

All up, we might be in for another close one to similar Round 9\u2019s encounter last year, but\u00a0I\u2019m\u00a0leaning Port with a two-goal head start and their two top midfielders in serious All-Australian form.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\n Crows vs Power<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n
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\n
Essendon<\/div>\n
vs<\/div>\n
Brisbane Lions<\/div>\n
Saturday 2nd May 2026 12:35 PM (Marvel Stadium)<\/div>\n
Tip: Lions 1-39\u00a0@\u00a0$2.55\u00a0<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n

What a difference a week in footy can make.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Things at the Hangar were looking up prior to last week\u2019s 77-point belting at the hands of Collingwood, while the Lions quickly put a narrow loss to the Dees behind them with a Gabba romping against the Crows \u2013 a game that saw Charlie Cameron and\u00a0Zac Bailey really get in on the action.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With a few injuries to overcome, Brisbane has cruising in third gear for the first two months and have still shown flashes of the killer instinct\u00a0they\u2019ve\u00a0become famous for during their two-year reign.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To their credit, the Bombers have hung tough with the Lions in their two most recent meetings, and\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0probably worth\u00a0noting these two\u00a0haven\u2019t\u00a0met outside of Brisbane since 2022.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Back to full strength though and still sitting towards the top of the league in marks, points and clearances, this shapes as nothing more than a learning curve for a Bombers outfit that yet again needs to respond to some criticism.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\n Bombers vs Lions<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n
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\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n
\n
Richmond<\/div>\n
vs<\/div>\n
West Coast Eagles<\/div>\n
Saturday 2nd May 2026 4:15 PM (Optus Stadium)<\/div>\n
Tip: Under the Total\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n

Big spoon bowl vibes between two sides that have been woeful\u00a0for most of the year.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Richmond\u00a0gave fans something to get excited about in the first term last week against\u00a0Melbourne, but\u00a0ultimately fell\u00a0away not long after in another disappointing 54-point loss that has heaped even more pressure on Adam\u00a0Yze.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Likewise, after a bright start to the year, the Eagles have regressed in a big\u00a0way\u00a0losing three of their last four by nine goals or more \u2013 their last two\u00a0defeats\u00a0all seeing West Coast\u00a0fail to\u00a0register more than 50 points.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Richmond is yet to kick over 90 points in the game,\u00a0so\u00a0the Under is\u00a0definitely the\u00a0way to play this one with\u00a0very little\u00a0to\u00a0get excited about offensively on either side.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\n Tigers vs Eagles<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n
\n
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Geelong Cats<\/div>\n
vs<\/div>\n
North Melbourne<\/div>\n
Saturday 2nd May 2026 4:35 PM (GMHBA Stadium)<\/div>\n
Tip: North Melbourne to Cover (+27.5)\u00a0<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n

Potentially the game of the round\u00a0with North trending upward and the Cats looking to bounce back.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Even with usual suspects Bailey Smith and Jeremy Cameron touching plenty of the footy, the Cats suffered the upset of the round last week when they went down by a big margin to Port Adelaide\u00a0–\u00a0the biggest loss\u00a0perhaps being\u00a0veteran\u00a0ruckmanMark\u00a0Blicavs\u00a0suffering a knee injury.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As they did a few weeks ago against the Lions, the\u00a0Roos\u00a0were right there when it counted against GWS, just falling victim to some of their own sloppy marking in defensive 50 with the Giants\u2019 top forwards getting the better of them.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Backing Chris Scott\u2019s side to bounce back from\u00a0a previous\u00a0loss has\u00a0almost been\u00a0free money for\u00a0a number of\u00a0years, but the\u00a0Blicavs\u00a0injury does give North an edge with Tristan Xerri securing 25 hit outs last week.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You\u00a0have to\u00a0rewind right back to 2015 to find North\u2019s last win over the Cats, but with a four-goal head start,\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0easy to entertain them at the line with signs of real progression in their fourth year under Alastair Clarkson.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\n Cats vs Roos<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n
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\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n
\n
Carlton<\/div>\n
vs<\/div>\n
St Kilda<\/div>\n
Saturday 2nd May 2026 7:35 PM (Marvel Stadium)<\/div>\n
Tip: St Kilda 1-39\u00a0@\u00a0$2.20\u00a0<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n

Last week\u2019s 100-point demolition job over West Coast should have Saints fans feeling a little better after a slow start to the season.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Five goals from Jack Higgins and another improved game from Matias\u00a0Phillipou\u00a0has the Saints on the right track with a potential spot back in the Top 8 up for grabs on Sunday, and their game style should\u00a0favour\u00a0them heavily against a Carlton outfit that still\u00a0can\u2019t\u00a0string together four quarters of footy.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To their credit, the Blues hung tough with a similar looking Fremantle outfit last week, showing some good pressure inside 50 despite never managing to lead the game at any point.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Like the Dockers, the Saints are a team built on high-pressure footy and hitting targets, which could put a lot of strain on a Blues team still trying\u00a0develop\u00a0its ball movement.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Given what\u00a0we\u2019ve\u00a0seen from these two sides all year, a blowout hardly seems likely, but this should be a Saints win by at least two goals.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\n Blues vs Saints<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n \n
\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n
\n
Sydney Swans<\/div>\n
vs<\/div>\n
Melbourne<\/div>\n
Sunday 3rd May 2026 3:15 PM (SCG)<\/div>\n
Tip: Swans to Cover (-31.5 Points)\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n

A serious Top 4 battle\u00a0awaits on\u00a0Sunday afternoon as we wait to learn if the Dees are a serious\u00a0finals\u00a0threat.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

So far,\u00a0they\u2019ve\u00a0given us no reason to doubt them with wins over Gold Coast and Brisbane, followed by last week\u2019s 54-point mauling over the Tigers that again saw\u00a0Kozzie\u00a0Pickett\u00a0remind us why\u00a0he\u2019s\u00a0one of the top five best players in the league.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Facing this year\u2019s Swans team is an entirely different test though on both sides of the ball.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Leading the comp with\u00a0nearly\u00a017\u00a0goals on average a game, the Swans are loaded with attacking weapons, which\u00a0doesn\u2019t\u00a0bode well for a Dees back line that was swamped against the baby Bombers in the final term only a few weeks ago.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On the other\u00a0side, Sydney has conceded an average of 65 points a game, so this is a big ask for the likes of Pickett and Brody\u00a0Mihocek\u00a0on a narrow ground like the SCG.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\n Swans vs Dees<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n \n
\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n
\n
Gold Coast Suns<\/div>\n
vs<\/div>\n
GWS Giants<\/div>\n
Sunday 3rd May 2026 7:20 PM (People First Stadium)<\/div>\n
Tip: Suns to Win & Over the Total\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n

Easily a must-win\u00a0game\u00a0for the Suns after losing three of their last four.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Damien Hardwick\u2019s side did well to come from a six-goal deficit and trim the margin early in the third term against the Hawks last week, but that did little to\u00a0prevent another Hawthorn onslaught on their way to an eventual 49-point loss.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Glaring defensive issues are staring\u00a0Dimma\u00a0in the face, and\u00a0there\u2019s\u00a0no getting around the fact his side missed a season-high 20 tackles last week.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For the Giants, this is also a serious test of where they are at.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Back to full health, they did well to\u00a0disperse of\u00a0a\u00a0fesity\u00a0Roos\u00a0outfit last week, although it took the best efforts from Jesse Hogan and Toby Greene to get the job done.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A narrow victory over North is hardly confidence building, while the Suns can at least\u00a0feel good\u00a0knowing Christian Petracca and Noah Anderson had plenty of the Sherrin last week.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Really, this is the toughest game of the week to get a feel for, but back on their home deck and desperately needing to steady the ship, I think Dimma works some magic during the week to get the Suns back on track.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\n Suns vs Giants<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A couple of top eight blockbusters bookend Round 8 as we kick things off on Thursday night with a good old-fashioned grudge match between the red-hot Hawks and an improving Collingwood outfit.  The Crows and Power headline Friday’s slate with\u00a0finals\u00a0aspirations on the line in The Showdown, before the ladder-leading Swans step out on the SCG on Sunday to take on a Melbourne side that has caught everyone off guard.\u00a0 Collingwood vs Hawthorn Thursday 30th April 2026 7:30 PM (MCG) Tip: Hawthorn to Cover (-21.5)\u00a0\u00a0 The Pies finally found their mojo in front of goal last week in an ANZAC Day blowout over the Bombers,…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":85485,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,10157],"tags":[33],"hub_post_cat":[],"class_list":["post-85484","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-australian-rules","category-afl-tips","tag-afl-tips"],"acf":{"md_tip_date":"","md_tip_date_end":"","md_market_url":"","tip_date":"27\/04\/2026","event_country":"Australia"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/85484","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/17"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=85484"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/85484\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/85485"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=85484"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=85484"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=85484"},{"taxonomy":"hub_post_cat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/hub_post_cat?post=85484"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}