Round 12 of the 2026 AFL season kicks off with a Thursday night clash between the Saints and Hawks. On Friday, the Blues and Cats resume hostilities.
Keep up to date with all of the fixtures, games, ins and outs, team news, tips, odds, results, reaction, and video as they come to hand.
THURSDAY, MAY 28
St Kilda vs. Hawthorn
Team news: Hawks veteran Jack Gunston is back after missing a second consecutive game last week with a foot issue. Excitingly, he'll be joined in the side by Will Day who returned from injury via the VFL last Friday night and picked up 16 disposals on managed minutes against Williamstown, but Day, who hasn't played at AFL level since last year, will face the Saints. St Kilda have recalled Alix Tauru alongside young tall Isaac Keeler, who replace Liam Stocker (managed) and Dougal Howard (calf). Jack Higgins underwent surgery on a knee issue last week and will remain sidelined for the short to medium term.
ESPN tip: Hawks by 13 points
Pointsbet odds: Saints $2.60, Hawks $1.50
Get your tips in now on the ESPNfootytips app!
FRIDAY, MAY 29
Carlton vs. Geelong
Team news: In bitter news for Blues fans, Matt Carroll ruptured his ACL last week and will miss the remainder of the season. Wade Derkson also goes out, with Jacob Weitering returning and Blake Acres also goming in. The Cats have made one change with Jack Martin being rested and Tanner Bruhn coming in.
ESPN tip: Cats by 21 points
Pointsbet odds: Blues $3.70, Cats $1.25
SATURDAY, MAY 30
Sydney vs. Richmond
Team news: H.Kyle, H.Cunningham, P.Ladhams, H.McLean Out: The Swans have made four changes; Callum Mills (calf), Malcolm Rosas (ankle), and Tom Papley (calf) are all injured, and Brodie Grundy has been managed. Harry Kyle will make his Swans debut, with Harry Cunningham, Peter Ladhams, and Hayden McLean also coming in. For the injury-hit Tigers, three changes; Jonty Faull (concussion), Tom Lynch (throat), and Tom Burton (managed) all go out, with Sam Banks, Liam Fawcett, and Dion Prestia coming in.
ESPN tip: Swans by 54 points
Pointsbet odds: Swans $1.01, Tigers $17.00
Brisbane vs. Fremantle
Team news: In a major blow for the Lions, veteran Dayne Zorko is set to miss another six weeks with his quad niggle. As for the changes for this match, Will McLachlan, Sam Marshall, and James Tunstill all go out, with Cody Curtin, Jarrod Berry, and Noah Answerth returning. The Dockers have made just one change, with Alex Pearce returning. Oscar McDonald makes way.
ESPN tip: Lions by 15 points
Pointsbet odds: Lions $1.67, Dockers $2.20
Western Bulldogs vs. Collingwood
Team news: The Bulldogs have been forced into one change with Luke Cleary suffering concussion. Tim English comes back in, in a big win for Dogs fans. Magpies coach Craig McRae has made four changes; Jamie Elliott (ACL), Will Hayes (shoulder), and Darcy Moore (hamstring) were all injured, and Charlie West was omitted, with Tim Membrey, Angus Anderson, Harvey Harrison, and Wil Parker all earning a recall.
ESPN tip: Bulldogs by 2 points
Pointsbet odds: Bulldogs $1.63, Magpies $2.25
SUNDAY, MAY 31
Melbourne vs. GWS
Team news: Important key defender Jack Buckley experienced hamstring soreness during the win over the Lions and will need scans to confirm the extent of the injury. Lachie Whitfield tweaked his hamstring during last Friday's training session and failed to meet initial expectations that he would recover in time to play against Brisbane, and he will also be evaluated during the week. For the Dees, key forward Brody Mihocek is edging closer from a hamstring injury, but Jake Lever will miss the trip to the NT while in concussion protocols.
ESPN tip: Demons by 8 points
Pointsbet odds: Demons $1.74, Giants $2.05
West Coast vs. Essendon
Team news: Essendon are expected to make several changes for Sunday's game against the Eagles, with Sam Durham (concussion), Andrew McGrath (broken jaw), Archer May (ribs), Matt Guelfi (hamstring), and Jye Caldwell (ankle) all injured in the horror loss against Richmond at the MCG.
ESPN tip: Eagles by 12 points
Pointsbet odds: Eagles $1.47, Bombers $2.60