We kept up the momentum across Round 3, despite some of the games being less than desirable, with low matches and some poor performances.
So far this season, we’re a handy 20 from 28 on suggested bets. I hope you’ve been following.
Onto the Easter weekend of footy, Round 4 of the 2026 AFL Season. There may be some stinker matchups across the long weekend, but at least we have eight games of footy.
For the latest team news, analysis, and expert insights, check our expert AFL tips and predictions for Round 4 below.
Brisbane Lions vs Collingwood Magpies
The Pies are not a contending team in their current format. I’m happy to be tied to that statement.
Scoring is difficult for them and an enormous amount is left to Daicos x2. Brisbane are moving in the right direction after playing with its food last week before blowing St Kilda away in the last stanza.
They lose troops but have troops returning now and imminently. They’ll be there when things warm up.
It’s likely this is close, perhaps even dour but the class of Brisbane across various lines will shine through. Ashcroft x2, Berry, Bailey, Rayner and Neale - and that’s only around the ball.
Head-to-head prediction: Brisbane Lions by 22 points
Betting Tip: Lachie Neale 28+ disposals.
North Melbourne vs Carlton Blues
How the Blues lost last week is anyone’s guess.
From 40 points up to losing by almost four goals. Mind-blowing stuff!
Now they need to front up to a fellow straggler but one which is moving slowly in a more positive direction. The Roos looked solid against lowly Essendon but do move to 2-1 with a chance for more here.
The Blues would have to be close to psychological ruins. Maybe what they need is to trail by four goals at halftime and see what happens. Leading by any margin has not been working.
Tristan Xerri’s absence is enormous but across the ground, the Kangas look far deeper and more potent - something no one has said in many years.
Head-to-head prediction: North Melbourne by 18 points
Betting Tip: North Melbourne win H2H.
Adelaide Crows vs Fremantle Dockers
This was an addition to the Good Friday calendar in recent years and what a good decision that’s become.
Freo look threatening this season, taking care of two easy-beats at home, so this looms as the test they need early in the season. Adelaide are 1-2 and discussions are swirling around their credentials in ’26.
To my eye, the Crows need more creativity and bravery in attack and still need to keep building and exploring what the midfield group looks like. One thing I am sure of, Josh Rachele should never go back to being a forward ever again. He’s the forward-running ball user they desperately need alongside Jordan Dawson.
Jordan Butts has been superb this season in place of Mark Keane and he’ll have his hands full with the in-form beast, Josh Treacy.
This game looks a beauty. Won by the Dockers in Perth last season, Adelaide will be desperate to avoid 1-3 on home soil.
Head-to-head prediction: Adelaide Crows by 4 points.
Betting Tip: Taylor Walker 2+ goals.
Richmond Tigers vs Port Adelaide Power
Are we worried about the young Tigers?
With injuries to veterans, the cubs are going to be exposed to the week-to-week seasoning of AFL competition - which will make a few and potentially crack a few.
They’ve been in the contest for periods of games against Gold Coast, Fremantle and probably should’ve beaten the Blues, so it’s all dependent on how you wish to look at things.
Port Adelaide were abysmal in Round 1, much better taking care of Essendon in Round 2 but undid most of the good work with a loss at Adelaide Oval against last season’s spooners, West Coast.
This is a great opportunity for Richmond to pinch a maiden win of the 2026 campaign.
Head-to-head prediction: Richmond Tigers by 13 points.
Betting Tip: Kane Farrell 21+ disposals.
West Coast Eagles vs Sydney Swans
The West Coast Eagles were my pre-season pick for wooden spoon winners.
As things stand, they’re more likely to win a play-in position rather than a spoon having won the past two on the spin.
I’ve always been keen on the young tall players on the Eagles list, but how can you not be impressed with No. 1 picks, Reid and Duursma as well as Josh Lindsay and former Lion, Dev Robertson?
The Swans arrive off the bye with a need to get back into the winner’s list after falling to Hawthorn the last time we saw them.
More is needed from Chad Warner and Tommy Papley should play a more prominent role around the ball with Gulden absent for a while.
IF West Coast win this, we get real excited but ultimately you’d expect Sydney’s class to shine.
Head-to-head prediction: Sydney Swans by 23 points.
Betting Tip: Charlie Curnow 3+ goals.
Melbourne Demons vs Gold Coast Suns
The casual clothes to work look was not going to have a second showing based on how the Dees began last week.
Thankfully, the entire world knows no lead is big enough for the Blues entering the second half and Melbourne went berserk, kicking 10 more goals than their opponent to run away by 23 points. An atrocious loss BUT also a huge win by a team who can finally score 100+ weekly.
This will be a sterner test and there will be no overcoming six goal deficits here because the Suns are powerful in every facet. Unfortunately, we’ll not get to see Christian Petracca against the old crew because I reckon there might’ve been some niggle there.
For Gold Coast, it’s a rare chance to come to The MCG and do work. And I expect they will.
Head-to-head prediction: Gold Coast Suns by 33 points.
Betting Tip: Bailey Humphrey 2+ goals.
Western Bulldogs vs Essendon Bombers
Oh, boy.
It’s hard to imagine quite what the margin here could end up being. The Dogs have a history of hammering lowly opponents under the roof and Essendon well and truly meets that criteria.
I recall (back in my day) smashing Essendon by 100+ when James Hird was under the pump and our win was the nail that ended his career as coach.
You sense 100+ would make life very difficult for Brad Scott moving forward.
Footy can be a crazy game sometimes and anything can happen, but it seems all but certain that the Dogs will win and win well.
It’s just about how much fight the Bombers can and wish to provide.
Head-to-head prediction: Western Bulldogs by 99 points.
Betting Tip: Sam Darcy 5+ goals.
Hawthorn Hawks vs Geelong Cats
Like we see on Good Friday for Freo and Adelaide, this clash seemingly arrives at the perfect moment.
The Hawks are a gun team at The MCG but maybe vulnerable elsewhere when the game style gets cramped. For Geelong, no one is declaring them as premiership favourites, but they have beaten two really good teams this season (Freo and Adelaide).
And they’ve done the damage without much of anything from Jeremy Cameron this season. There’s upside there.
The Hawks will test Geelong nicely with the offensive kicking prowess and hard-running mid-forwards like Moore, Ginnivan, Watson and Mackenzie.
Cameron and Shannon Neale will need to stand up against the in-form group down back for the Hawks. Tom Barrass might be in career-best form.
Finally, you’d think Hawthorn will have an advantage in the ruck, too.
Head-to-head prediction: Hawthorn Hawks by 8 points.
Betting Tip: Bailey Smith 30+ disposals.
Odds are subject to change.*