AFL Round 5 2026 Expert Tips & Predictions

The AFL continues this week with Round 5 action for Gather Round, starting with Adelaide vs. Carlton on Thursday night.

We have AFL betting tips for every game in 2026, including this week’s featured games between Collingwood vs. Fremantle, Sydney vs. Gold Coast, and Hawthorn vs. Western Bulldogs.

Thursday 9/4/26

7:40pm Adelaide vs. Carlton @ Adelaide Oval

Betting Tip: Adelaide –36.5 @ $1.90

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It hasn’t been the luckiest start to the year for Adelaide, but they are playing better than Carlton, and they should enjoy some success to start the week.

They are the firm –36.5 favourites to win and playing at Adelaide Oval only helps their chances of winning, especially against the struggling Blues, who sit in 15th on the AFL ladder after losing to North Melbourne last week.

It’s a big line to cover, but we believe in the Crows enough to get it done.

Adelaide by 42

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Friday 10/4/26

7:40pm Collingwood vs. Fremantle @ Adelaide Oval

Betting Tip: Fremantle –10.5 @ $1.90

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We have made money betting on Collingwood this season, but we can’t turn down the –10.5 line for Fremantle.

They were mightily impressive last week when beating Adelaide, and although the margin was close at the end of the game, the Dockers dominated all but the final 20 minutes. They should take plenty of positives from that performance.

It should be a good game on Friday, so we’re backing Fremantle to cover the spread.

Fremantle by 17

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Saturday 11/4/26

12:35pm North Melbourne vs. Brisbane @ Barossa Park

Betting Tip: North Melbourne +32.5 @ $1.90

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There isn’t too much respect for North Melbourne, and although they’re facing the defending champions, they could make a game of it.

The 2026 version of the Kangaroos is much better than recent years, and they have enough confidence to keep it close against a Brisbane team struggling with consistency.

It will be a good guide as to how far North Melbourne has come, and we’re happy to include them in our AFL picks this week.

Brisbane by 26

1:15pm Essendon vs. Melbourne @ Adelaide Oval

Betting Tip: Essendon +28.5 @ $1.90

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It was another loss for Essendon last week, but they should be buoyed by their second-half performance against the Western Bulldogs.

After a dreadful start, they won the second half, and that should give them enough confidence to keep it close against Melbourne, which has exceeded expectations throughout four rounds.

We predict the Melbourne bubble bursting soon, and the Bombers could give them a run for their money.

Melbourne by 18

4:15pm Sydney vs. Gold Coast @ Norwood Oval

Betting Tip: Sydney @ $1.94

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Our AFL predictions have Sydney beating Gold Coast, and we believe they are the better team.

Gold Coast comes off a loss to Melbourne, so we’re unsure why they are favourites with AFL odds, especially compared to Sydney’s performance last week when beating West Coast 163-35 in dominant fashion.

The $1.94 for the Swans on neutral ground is too good to pass up.

Sydney by 14

7:35pm Hawthorn vs. Western Bulldogs @ Adelaide Oval

Betting Tip: Western Bulldogs @ $1.85

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There isn’t much between Hawthorn and Western Bulldogs, but our AFL picks lean towards the Bulldogs.

They lead the competition with four wins from four games, and they have been the most impressive team so far, so they’re worth following for another week.

We’re not sure what to expect from Hawthorn, who might have taken a slight step backwards from last season. Therefore, the $1.85 odds for the Bulldogs to win is a fair price from bookmakers.

Western Bulldogs by 10

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Sunday 12/4/26

12:30pm Geelong vs. West Coast @ Norwood Oval

Betting Tip: Geelong -44.5 @ $1.90

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The bubble burst for West Coast last week when losing heavily to Sydney, and we can’t see them bouncing back to their winning ways.

Geelong is due for an easy win, and we’re not surprised by the –44.5 line for last year’s AFL finalists, who can pile on the points quickly on their day.

It’s not our top AFL pick of the week but include Geelong –44.5 in selections.

Geelong by 50

3:15pm GWS vs. Richmond @ Barossa Park

Betting Tip: GWS –32.5 @ $1.90

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We didn’t expect GWS to be sitting in 16th position after a few weeks, but that’s the situation they find themselves in, which makes Sunday’s game against Richmond important.

Beating Richmond by 32.5 points shouldn’t be too hard for a team packed with the talent of the Giants, and the line is lower than expected.

We have the Giants winning by 40+, so include them in AFL multi bets this week.

GWS by 42

7:15pm Port Adelaide vs. St Kilda @ Adelaide Oval

Betting Tip: Port Adelaide @ $2.23

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Playing at home this week should help Port Adelaide, who defeated Richmond with ease last week.

We rate the Power slightly above St Kilda, so although bookmakers have St Kilda at $1.66, we’re snapping up the value for the home team.

They play their best footy at Adelaide Oval, which should be enough to take them close.

Port Adelaide by 12

Editor In Chief

Daryl Curnow

After graduating from the University of Auckland (BA - English), Daryl was thrown into the world of sports and horse racing journalism.

Having worked as a racing journalist for two years, he decided to move into the online world of horse racing and sports writing. After years of honing his craft, Daryl became a professional punter in 2009 - with a focus on horse racing, NRL, AFL, NBA, Rugby, NFL, and US college sports.

Daryl's tips have been featured on various websites around the world before joining the GoBet team. When he's not working, Daryl tries to avoid making bogeys on the golf course.