Round 8 of the 2026 AFL season kicks off with a monster clash between Collingwood and Hawthorn on Thursday night, before another Friday night double-header including the season's first Showdown.
Keep up to date with all of the fixtures, games, team news, tips, odds, results, reaction, and video as they come to hand.
THURSDAY, APRIL 30
Collingwood vs. Hawthorn
Team news: The Pies will rest Scott Pendlebury given the five-day turnaround from the side's big win over Essendon. Jeremy Howe and Beau McCreery will also be managed, opening the door for Wil Parker, while Ned Long is expected to return after being rested last week. Skipper Darcy Moore has recovered from a hamstring injury and will play just his second game of the season. Tim Membrey will miss up to a month with a hamstring injury, with Jack Buller recalled as he looks to kick his first goal for Collingwood on the big stage. For Hawthorn, James Sicily and Dylan Moore return from one match bans, replacing Jack Dalton and Harry Morrison.
ESPN tip: Hawks by 23 points
Pointsbet odds: Pies $3.40, Hawks $1.30
Get your tips in now on the ESPNfootytips app!
FRIDAY, MAY 1
Western Bulldogs vs. Fremantle
Team news: The Western Bulldogs have made a sweeping set of six changes, recalling Nick Coffield, Harvey Gallagher, Arthur Jones, Laitham Vandermeer, Tim English, and Lachlan McNeil, while Ryan Gardner, Lachie Jaques, Lachie Smith, Oskar Baker, and Cooper Hynes have all been omitted, and Adam Treloar managed. Aaron Naughton will play. Fremantle have made a single switch, bringing in Patrick Voss for Judd McVee, who is sidelined through illness.
ESPN tip: Dockers by 18 points
Pointsbet odds: Bulldogs $3.20, Freo $1.31
Adelaide vs. Port Adelaide
Team news: The Crows will be without captain Jordan Dawson, with coach Matthew Nicks confirming the club will give him all the time he needs after he attended his brother's funeral on Wednesday. Adelaide have made three other changes, with Nick Murray, Finnbar Maley and Charlie Edwards also going out, with James Borlase, Daniel Curtin, Alex Neal-Bullen and Jake Soligo coming in. Port Adelaide have made one change, with Todd Marshall returning as Jack Watkins has been omitted.
ESPN tip: Crows by 10 points
Pointsbet odds: Crows $1.53, Power $2.50
SATURDAY, MAY 2
Essendon vs. Brisbane
Marvel Stadium, 12:35pm [AEST]
Team news: Essendon have brought in Jade Gresham, Nik Cox, Max Kondogiannis, and Jayden Nguyen, replacing Isaac Kako (back), Archer May (knee), Darcy Parish (managed) and Elijah Tsatas (omitted). Brisbane have recalled Dayne Zorko and added first-gamer Charlie Curtin, with Oscar Allen (foot) sidelined and James Tunstill omitted.
ESPN tip: Lions by 50 points
Pointsbet odds: Bombers $7.50, Lions $1.08
West Coast vs. Richmond
Team news: West Coast have made three changes, bringing in Matt Owies, Tom Cole and Harry Schoenberg, while Sandy Brock, Jack Williams and Bo Allan have been omitted. Richmond have brought Jayden Short, Tyler Sonsie and Oliver Hayes-Brown into the side, with Hugo Ralphsmith (knee), Sam Lalor (Achilles) and Samson Ryan (omitted) going out.
ESPN tip: Eagles by 3 points
Pointsbet odds: Eagles $1.42, Tigers $2.80
Geelong vs. North Melbourne
Team news: Geelong have recalled Sam De Koning and Jake Kolodjashnij, with Mark Blicavs (knee) and Jack Bowes (managed) unavailable. North Melbourne have made a single change, bringing in Charlie Comben for the omitted Toby Pink.
ESPN tip: Cats by 18 points
Pointsbet odds: Cats$1.22, Roos $4.20
Carlton vs. St Kilda
Team news: The Blues welcome back Adam Saad, Ollie Hollands, Harry McKay and Marc Pittonet, with Cooper Lord, Ashton Moir, Talor Byrne, and Lewis Young omitted. St Kilda have added Liam Stocker and Liam Henry, with Liam Ryan (corked hip) and Hunter Clark (knee) ruled out.
ESPN tip: Saints by 13 points
Pointsbet odds: Blues $2.45, Saints $1.53
SUNDAY, MAY 3
Sydney vs. Melbourne
Team news: Isaac Heeney is expected to return after missing the win over the Bulldogs with calf tightness. The Swans will be without their key back in Tom McCartin for up to three weeks due to a knee ligament sprain, opening the door for Joel Hamling or Lewis Melican. Errol Gulden remains some time away but has been sighted back running laps at training as he continues his recovery from shoulder surgery. For Melbourne, Jai Culley has suffered an ACL injury in the win over Richmond and will be sidelined long term. Harrison Petty is unlikely to return as the club continues to investigate his Round 6 incident against Brisbane.
ESPN tip: Swans by 27 points
Pointsbet odds: Swans $1.17, Demons $4.75
Gold Coast vs. GWS
People First Stadium, 7:20pm [AEST]
Team news: Giants defender Joe Fonti missed the win over North Melbourne through suspension but will be available for this week's clash with the Suns. Young ruck Nick Madden will miss after scans confirmed a strained PCL, which could allow a recall for out of favour ruck Kieran Briggs, or Jake Riccardi, who impressed in the VFL with two goals and 21 disposals. Adam Kingsley will have plenty of options to consider in the front half, with Max Gruzewski (five goals) and Callum Brown (four) also among the best in the VFL win over the Roos.
ESPN tip: Suns by 8 points
Pointsbet odds: Suns $1.36, Giants $3.00