Just when you think things are going well… bang - a vicious blow to the ego.

We were tipping in sparkling form here on The Huddle but Round 7 looked tricky on paper and proved grim in reality.

The positive is, we have Round 8 to look forward to.

And when things go south, we double down, we do more work and we trust the process!

For the latest team news, analysis, and expert insights, check our expert AFL tips and predictions for Round 8 of the 2026 AFL Season below.

Collingwood Magpies vs Hawthorn Hawks

Thursday, April 30, 7:30pm AEST - MCG

Sure, the Pies looked like world-beaters on Anzac Day but there was a significant lack of resistance coming from the mob in the red sash. Fool’s gold is too strong, but you get my drift.

I am not at all back in love with Collingwood, despite them scoring 137 points last weekend.

This will be a far sterner test with Hawthorn; the in-form team of the competition back on the MCG.

Sam Mitchell’s men are in sync, fit and firing on all cylinders and there’s even a world where these Hawks run the Pies off the turf.

Guys like Moore, Ginnivan, Mackenzie, Macdonald and Watson will cause headaches all week - and likely headaches once the game begins.

Head-to-head prediction: Hawthorn Hawks by 23 points.

Betting tip: Dylan Moore 20+ disposals.

Western Bulldogs vs Fremantle Dockers

Friday, May 1, 7:30pm AEST - Marvel Stadium

This was the unofficial wildcard play-in game before we officially bring in the real thing this season. And in that one, Freo shone and won themselves into a finals campaign.

I’d expect them to board the plane, arrive at Marvel Stadium and do the job again.

The Dogs defensive woes remain and grew to new levels last week as Curnow and Amartey combined for 10 snags.

Treacy, Voss and Amiss should kick 10+ between them with supply from Reid, Serong, Brayshaw and Young.

The Dogs need to hold the line, pinch a win and wait for the returning troops. Problem is, even once they all return, I still saw some of the same issues from 2025, not yet rectified in 2026.

And they’ve been made significantly worse by the personnel problems.

Head-to-head prediction: Fremantle Dockers by 24 points.

Betting tip: Jye Amiss 3+ goals.

Adelaide Crows vs Port Adelaide Power

Friday, May 1, 8:10pm AEST - Adelaide Oval

Ashamedly, another Showdown will go by the wayside as most footy fans tune into the Dogs and Dockers.

But this Showdown has real spice.

Port Adelaide have had a magnificent few weeks with Josh Carr’s men growing into his system, led by its stars.

Horne-Francis is now up and running, Butters is airborne despite the contract decisions and Georgiades threatens to tear up every game he plays in.

The Crows hung around against Brisbane in Brisbane before the Lions snarled and blew them away.

Neale and Ashcroft had 78 disposals combined whilst some of the Crows on-ballers had possessions in the teens.

After 58 Showdowns, it’s 30 wins for the Crows, 28 wins for Port and believe me, Port will be desperate to bridge that gap.

There are some in SA who believe winning the Showdown is the only thing that matters year in, year out.

Head-to-head prediction: Adelaide Crows by 13 points.

Betting tip: Riley Thilthorpe 3+ goals.

Essendon Bombers vs Brisbane Lions

Saturday, May 2, 12:35pm AEST - Marvel Stadium

Essendon undid plenty of good work from the previous fortnight with a woeful effort on Anzac Day.

On a day where passion, spirit and effort are supposed to be at an all-time high, the Bombers produced none in a truly putrid second half fadeout.

Now they bump into the champs, who regained some mojo last week in smoking Adelaide.

The Dons on-ballers will need to apply some pressure otherwise Neale and Ashcroft will combine for another 75+ possessions - like they did last week.

Occasionally, Brisbane look a little lethargic and unmotivated - which comes with their B2B territory - but when they get a groove, look out!

Head-to-head prediction: Brisbane Lions by 41 points.

Betting tip: Oscar Allen 3+ goals.

West Coast Eagles vs Richmond Tigers

Saturday, May 2, 4:15pm AEST - Optus Stadium

A wooden spoon deciding contest with Richmond’s cubs travelling to Perth to face West Coast - hot off a 101-point hammering.

The Eagles certainly stunned me, by winning two matches already whilst Richmond have been poorer than expected, although certainly impacted by injury.

There will not be too many games where both teams will arrive with an expectation of winning, which is why the game should be worth viewing.

Sam Lalor and Harley Reid add punch around the ball whilst the Tigers young small forwards have some talent.

Aerially, it’s the West Coast big boys who shine brightest and look to be the calling card for the future.

Head-to-head prediction: Richmond Tigers by 7 points.

Betting tip: Jayden Short 24+ disposals (new dad energy).

Geelong Cats vs North Melbourne Kangaroos

Saturday, May 2, 4:35pm AEST - GMHBA Stadium

The Roos have not won in Geelong since 2015 and to be fair - have never looked like doing so.

Last season’s clash ended with Jeremy Cameron booting a career-high 11 goals. He already has a 10-goal haul this season. Look out! But he faces a much-improved Kangaroo outfit.

They went close to winning in Canberra last week and have played some damn good footy across the season.

Defensively, they’ve improved and the personnel has spiked, too. Duursma, Trembath, Stephens, Dovaston and Blamires have all added something to the group.

Geelong get a mulligan for last week. After kicking two goals in two minutes, you thought they’d roll on and win by plenty.

But Port’s attitude and effort was relentless and in the end a 30-point margin was flattering.

Their form coming in was strong - wins over the Crows and Dogs and a close loss to the airborne Hawks - so we’ll give them a pass and watch them closely here.

Head-to-head prediction: Geelong Cats by 11 points.

Betting tip: Jeremy Cameron 4+ goals.

St Kilda Saints vs Carlton Blues

Saturday, May 2, 7:35pm AEST - Marvel Stadium

Another weird and wacky addition to the quirks of the AFL fixture - Carlton plays a home ground at St Kilda’s home venue despite the fact the Blues main home venue is 5km across town.

And there’s already a game at Marvel Stadium the same afternoon.

Bizarre, but we move on.

The Blues were never a match for Freo but did hang in there and make the scoreboard seem respectable by night’s end.

The Saints had only disrespect on their mind with a triple-figure hammering of West Coast.

Once upon a time, Docklands was worth 3-4 goals to this Saints crew but there’s little doubt their offensive system is improving as names like Wilson, Phillipou and Hall improve.

Max King’s presence looms, too. Prayers he can remain healthy.

I did expect the Blues to be emotionally shot last week, so credit to them in that regard but if the Saints can get speed on the game via the names mentioned, they’ll be too slick for Carlton’s one-paced army.

Head-to-head prediction: St Kilda by 18 points.

Betting tip: Darcy Wilson 18+ disposals and 1+ goal.

Sydney Swans vs Melbourne Demons

Sunday, May 3, 3:15pm AEST - SCG

The Swans will test Melbourne’s newfound offensive buzz with their own arsenal of weapons and speed.

The Dees have averaged almost 112 at The MCG but just 69 in two games away from The Mecca.

This will be a fantastic test with regards to their spike in system and how far they may be able to go this season.

Sydney have evolved somewhat under Dean Cox but do still lean heavily into handball receives, elite kicking and making their forwards look like world-beaters with sizzling ball movement.

Thankfully, Charlie Curnow can be a world-beater so the excitement should be real.

A win for the Dees would have the AFL world on notice.

Head-to-head prediction: Sydney Swans by 26 points.

Betting tip: Isaac Heeney 2+ goals.

Gold Coast Suns vs GWS Giants

Sunday, May 3, 7:20pm AEST - People First Stadium

The Expansion Cup is hidden away on the schedule but Sportsbet punters love this slot and love getting into this game - regardless of who plays.

And with names like Noah, Rowell, Petracca, Ash, Whitfield and Callaghan, it’s any wonder we’ll be diving into this one.

The talent is endless.

Both sides possess goal scorers, too, with the Suns adding Jamarra to the mix last week.

He kicked a couple and looked ready.

GWS avoided 2-5 by beating the Kangas in Canberra and this becomes equally as important but it’s also key for Gold Coast who have played a poor month.

A strong, forceful four quarter performance is a must for the men from Southeast Queensland.

Head-to-head prediction: Gold Coast Suns by 20 points.

Betting tip: Noah Anderson 30+ disposals.

Odds are subject to change.*