<p>It was pretty much business as usual last week, with very few shocks or upsets playing out in the AFLW.</p> <p>Only Melbourne raged against the machine it seems, picking up two wins against higher ranked opposition. Wins made all the more impressive by the fact they were facing the short turn around that comes with playing two games in a week.</p> <p>Are the Dees making an unlikely charge for the top eight? Or have they left their run too late?</p> <p>With less than a month of regular season AFLW action left, every match is crucial from here on out.</p> <p>How will the cookie crumble in round 8? Let’s find out. For the latest analysis, odds, news and more, check out our expert AFLW round 8 tips and predictions below!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Carlton vs Western Bulldogs Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Thursday, October 17, 7:15pm AEDT – IKON Park</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Kicking off AFLW round 8 are Carlton and the Western Bulldogs. The latter are in all sorts at the moment and are currently languishing in 15th on the premiership ladder.</p> <p>To make matters worse, they failed to kick even a single major in their low scoring loss to Essendon last start.</p> <p>Carlton aren’t doing too much better themselves, but they still at least have a few points in them and should be able to get the job done at home here.</p> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/womens-afl/carlton-w-v-western-bulldogs-w--8645485">Carlton.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Keeley Skepper first goal scorer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Port Adelaide vs St Kilda Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, October 18, 7:45pm AEDT – Alberton Oval</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>This is arguably the biggest match of AFLW round 8. Both sides sit neck and neck on 16 competition points each. Only the slightest percentage separates them.</p> <p>It’s not just their proximity to one another that make this a must watch, it’s where on the ladder.</p> <p>They currently occupy 8th and 9th place respectively, with the winner of this one ending the week in the final’s places.</p> <p>Even though the Saints are technically the ones higher up the ladder, recent form lines lean towards the Power and so do we.</p> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/womens-afl/port-adelaide-w-v-st-kilda-w--8645487">Port Adelaide.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Port Adelaide 1-12.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Hawthorn vs GWS Giants Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, October 19, 1:05pm AEDT – Kinetic Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Hawks are simply on fire at the moment and seem hell bent on laying waste to all those that come before them.</p> <p>It’s the 16th placed Giants on the chopping block this week and after Hawthorn put 75 on the 10th placed Eagles last start, we expect a similar or even bigger scoreline here.</p> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/womens-afl/hawthorn-w-v-gws-w--8645486">Hawthorn.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>SGM – Over total match points and Hawks 40+</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Sydney Swans vs Gold Coast Suns Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, October 19, 3:05pm AEDT – Henson Park</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Suns can’t buy a trick in 2024, with only a draw to show for all their efforts thus far this year.</p> <p>However, they were valiant in defeat last week away to the third placed Lions, pushing them all the way to the final buzzer.</p> <p>It was a gutsy performance and lining up against a Swans side who were blown off the park by North Melbourne last week, we’re backing the girls from the Glitter Strip to pick up their first win of the season here.</p> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/womens-afl/sydney-w-v-gold-coast-w--8645490">Gold Coast Suns.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Under total match points.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Melbourne vs Richmond Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, October 19, 5:05pm AEDT – Casey Field</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Vibes will be high at the Demon’s HQ heading into AFLW round 8, after two impressive wins last week.</p> <p>It was their turn to pull double duty and last round, and they did so in style, defying the negativity that comes with a short turn around to record two wins from two.</p> <p>That means they’ve won three on the trot and applied the defibrillator to their finals hopes in the process.</p> <p>The ever-impressive Richmond stand between them and four straight wins, but there’s just so much to like about the Dees at the moment. Upset loading? We think so.</p> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/womens-afl/melbourne-w-v-richmond-w--8645488">Melbourne.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Eden Zanker anytime goal.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>West Coast Eagles vs Fremantle Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, October 19, 7:05pm AEDT – Sullivan Logistics Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>While the Eagles haven’t been all that in 2024, we didn’t exactly see last week’s 74-8 shellacking at the hands of the Hawks coming last week.</p> <p>They were blown off the park by a ruthless Hawthorn outfit and now we’re tipping Freo to capitalise on the Eagles capitulation and add to their misery in this match.</p> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/womens-afl/west-coast-w-v-fremantle-w--8645489">Fremantle.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Big win, little win – Fremantle 1-39.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Geelong vs Brisbane Lions Prediction</h2> <p><strong><em>Sunday, October 20, 1:05pm AEST – GMHBA</em></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Lions still have a very realistic shot at the minor premiership in 2024, but they’ll want to win the remainder of their games to ensure they heap as much pressure on North Melbourne as possible.</p> <p>Against a Geelong side whose race is run for season 2024, the Brissy girls are easy tips here as they continue their hunt for top spot.</p> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/womens-afl/geelong-w-v-brisbane-w--8645491">Brisbane Lions.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Brisbane 40+</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Essendon vs North Melbourne Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, October 20, 3:05pm AEDT – Windy Hill</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Can anyone stop North Melbourne this season? They are yet to lose in 2024 and their only dropped points thus far have been because of a draw.</p> <p>Essendon are a solid team in their own right and currently sit inside the eight, but against the might of the Blue and Whites, all resistance seems futile. As usual, we’ll be backing the Roos.</p> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/womens-afl/essendon-w-v-north-melbourne-w--8645492">North Melbourne.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>SGM – Jasmine Garner &amp; Alice O’Loughlin 2+ goals each.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Collingwood vs Adelaide Crows Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, October 20, 5:05pm AEDT – Victoria Park</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The final game of AFLW round 8 sees Collingwood welcome the Crows to Victoria Park on Sunday afternoon.</p> <p>Adelaide are sitting in the top four after a dominant 92-28 win over GWS last start.</p> <p>Midfielder Niamh Kelly grabbed a couple of impressive snags in that game and this week against a struggling Pies side, we think she represents good value to do the same again.</p> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/womens-afl/collingwood-w-v-adelaide-w--8645493">Adelaide Crows.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Niamh Kelly 2 or more goals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>AFLW 2024 Premiership Odds</h2>