AFL Round 8 Expert Tips & Predictions

The AFL continues this week with Round 8 action, starting with Collingwood vs. Hawthorn on Thursday night.

We have AFL betting tips for every game in 2026, including this week’s featured games between Western Bulldogs vs. Fremantle, Geelong vs. North Melbourne, and Sydney vs. Melbourne.

Thursday 30/4/26

7:30pm Collingwood vs. Hawthorn @ MCG

Betting Tip: Hawthorn –20.5 @ $1.90

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The Hawks are on track for another win, and although Collingwood played well against Essendon last week, this is a much harder test.

We like what Hawthorn has done since losing to Sydney in the grudge match, and they should have too many weapons for the Magpies to cope with.

Our AFL picks have Hawthorn winning by 25 points, so take the –20.5 line.

Hawthorn by 25

Friday 1/5/26

7:30pm Western Bulldogs vs. Fremantle @ Marvel Stadium

Betting Tip: Western Bulldogs +21.5 @ $1.90

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It was hard not to be disappointed with the Bulldogs’ effort last week against Sydney, but we’re giving them one more chance.

Fremantle is a tough opponent at this stage of their season, but having back-to-back tough games could help the Bulldogs, who desperately need to show something.

The +21.5 start is enough to consider their chances in what could be a close contest.

Western Bulldogs by 6

8:10pm Adelaide vs. Port Adelaide @ Adelaide Oval

Betting Tip: Adelaide –12.5 @ $1.90

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We backed both Adelaide and Port Adelaide last week, with the Power pulling off a big upset against Geelong as the +28.5-point underdogs.

However, we’re going with Adelaide to cover the spread this week. They have plenty of upside, and they’re good at bouncing back from disappointing losses.

The Crows are a team worth including in AFL multi bets this week.

Adelaide by 18

Saturday 2/5/26

12:35pm Essendon vs. Brisbane @ Marvel Stadium

Betting Tip: Essendon +40.5 @ $1.90

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If we are going to bet on the Bombers with a +18.5 start last week, we’re going to back them with a +40.5 start.

It wasn’t the performance we were hoping against Collingwood, but Essendon is an inconsistent team, which comes with the nature of having an inexperienced roster. However, they could stick with Brisbane on Saturday afternoon.

The +40.5 line is sizable, so include the underdog in AFL picks.

Brisbane by 32

4:15pm West Coast vs. Richmond @ Optus Stadium

Betting Tip: West Coast –16.5 @ $1.90

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It’s always hard to predict the result when two bad teams meet, but West Coast has shown more effort in 2026.

They started the year well before regressing to their usual standard of play. However, Richmond hasn’t come out running, and they look resigned to their fate of finishing with the wooden spoon.

We expect the –16.5 line to move to around –20.5 on game day.

West Coast by 24

4:35pm Geelong vs. North Melbourne @ GMHBA Stadium

Betting Tip: North Melbourne +28.5 @ $1.90

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North Melbourne should be proud of its performance against GWS on Sunday. They might have lost the game, but it was a close contest, and it went down to the wire.

Conversely, Geelong looked awful when losing to Port Adelaide, so we don’t think there should be 28.5 points between them with AFL betting markets.

Take the underdogs to keep it close on Saturday afternoon.

North Melbourne by 7

7:35pm Carlton vs. St Kilda @ Marvel Stadium

Betting Tip: St Kilda –13.5 @ $1.90

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We are surprised by the –13.5 line for St Kilda this week, following a one-sided win over West Coast.

They are playing better footy than Carlton, which sits in 16th on the AFL ladder, and we can’t muster the courage to include them in our picks.

There is much better value in betting on St Kilda to post another strong victory.

St Kilda by 21

Sunday 3/5/26

3:15pm Sydney vs. Melbourne @ SCG

Betting Tip: Sydney –32.5 @ $1.90

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Melbourne is playing well enough to compete against the mid-tier teams, but we don’t think they’re good enough to hang with Sydney.

The Swans are full steam ahead at the top of the table, and we think they’re only going to get better with more games under their belt.

The –32.5 line is worth including in AFL multi bets this week.

Sydney by 40

7:20pm Gold Coast vs. GWS @ People First Stadium

Betting Tip: GWS +18.5 @ $1.90

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We don’t think there is much between Gold Coast and GWS, and GWS has a superior record against the SUNS.

Gold Coast comes off a loss to Hawthorn and GWS defeated North Melbourne, so the Giants should have confidence coming into this game.

Betting will be telling, but getting a +18.5 start is healthy for the visitors.

GWS by 6

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.