Round 8 of the 2024 AFL season beings with a huge Showdown clash between Adelaide and Port Adelaide on Thursday night, before traditional foes Collingwood and Carlton face off at the MCG on Friday.
Keep up to date with all of the fixtures, games, news, tips, odds, results, reaction, and video as they come to hand.
THURSDAY, MAY. 2
Adelaide vs. Port Adelaide
Team news: Port Adelaide will be slightly undermanned when they face cross-town rivals Adelaide on Thursday night, with key defender Aliir Aliir (concussion) and Sam Powell-Pepper (ACL) both confirmed outs, but Connor Rozee has overcome a hamstring scare and should be fit to play. Meanwhile, the Crows are set to unleash highly-touted key tall Dan Curtain, who will debut for the club after being selected with the 8th pick in the 2023 draft. Jordon Butts and Brodie Smith also return to the side.
ESPN tip: Power by 15 points
Pointsbet odds: Crows $2.05, Power $1.77
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FRIDAY, MAY 3
Carlton vs. Collingwood
Team news: Collingwood midfielders Jordan De Goey (groin) and Tom Mitchell (foot) will both miss this blockbuster clash, with a debut confirmed for mature-age recruit Lachie Sullivan. Meanwhile, the Blues will be boosted by the return of Adam Cerra, who has missed the past couple of games with a hamstring injury, but coach Michael Voss has ruled out Mitch McGovern.
ESPN tip: Blues by 26 points
Pointsbet odds: Blues $1.77, Magpies $2.05
SATURDAY, MAY 4
Sydney vs. GWS Giants
Team news: GWS captain Toby Greene will be available after serving his one-match suspension, while Sam Taylor (concussion) and Stephen Coniglio (knee) could also be welcomed inclusions. Brent Daniels had knee soreness last week and was an unused substitute, but could also make his way back into the starting lineup. For the Swans, Luke Parker has recovered from a broken arm and is in line for his first appearance of the year.
ESPN tip: Swans by 2 points
Pointsbet odds: Swans $1.85, Giants $1.95
St Kilda vs. North Melbourne
Team news: The Saints will be regain Max King from a knee injury that kept him out of the side for two weeks, but Jack Higgins is facing a three-week ban for his dangerous tackle on Port Adelaide's Aliir Aliir. Meanwhile, Alastair Clarkson has swung the axe, bringing in Toby Pink, Liam Shiels, Jackson Archer, and Jaidyn Stephenson for omitted quartet Charlie Lazzaro, Bigoa Nyuon, Will Phillips, and Dylan Stephens.
ESPN tip: Saints by 43 points
Pointsbet odds: Saints $1.13, Roos $6.00
ESPN's Jarryd Barca talks about the biggest issue with AFL umpiring in 2024, and it isn't the umpiring itself.
Melbourne vs. Geelong
Team news: Geelong star Patrick Dangerfield suffered a hamstring injury during his side's win over Carlton last week and will be sidelined for an extended period, in a brutal blow to Chris Scott's midfield, but the Cats have brought in Tom Stewart, Gary Rohan, and Jhye Clark. The Demons will go in unchanged.
ESPN tip: Demons by 9 points
Pointsbet odds: Demons $2.00, Cats $1.80
West Coast vs. Essendon
Team news: Tom Barrass, Noah Long, Harley Reid, and debutant Harvey Johnston have been selected in the Eagles' side for this week. For the Bombers, Archie Perkins and Matt Guelfi will replace Sam Draper (injured) and Nick Hind (omitted).
ESPN tip: Bombers by 34 points
Pointsbet odds: Eagles $1.55, Bombers $1.51
SUNDAY, MAY 5
Richmond vs. Fremantle
Team news: Unfortunately for Tiger fans, Jacob Hopper and Jack Graham have joined a lengthy injury list, and they'll be replaced in this week's side by Jayden Short and Tyler Sonsie. The Dockers will welcome back emerging key forward Jye Amiss after he missed last week's win over the Bulldogs with concussion. Patrick Voss has been omitted.
ESPN tip: Dockers by 14 points
Pointsbet odds: Tigers $2.65, Dockers $1.49
Western Bulldogs vs. Hawthorn
Team news: Rhylee West accepted his rough conduct charge and will miss one week through suspension, Cody Weightman will miss over a month through injury, and both Caleb Daniel and Rory Lobb have been omitted, with Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and Tom Liberatore among the inclusions. Meanwhile, Nick Watson will come back into the Hawthorn side.
ESPN tip: Bulldogs by 29 points
Pointsbet odds: Bulldogs $1.27, Hawks $3.80
Brisbane vs. Gold Coast
Team news: Chris Fagan has named debutant Bruce Reville, along with Oscar McInerney and Harry Sharp, for a blockbuster Q-Clash against the Suns. Bailey Humphrey (managed) and Sam Day (omitted) will make way for Ethan Read and Ben Long in Damien Hardwick's side.
ESPN tip: Lions by 11 points
Pointsbet odds: Lions $1.47, Suns $2.70