<p>Welcome to my AFL Round 8 tips and predictions. This week&nbsp;looks epic.</p> <p>A Showdown to kickstart the round. Traditional rivals go bang in front of 90,000+ then two Grand Final aspirants’ back-up 24 hours later at the same venue, The MCG.</p> <p>Adelaide and Port Adelaide will throw everything at each other in a standalone primetime Thursday night clash at Adelaide Oval. Then, Carlton and Collingwood fans will scream until their lungs are sore under lights on Friday.</p> <p>Here is how I see the weekend playing out.&nbsp;For the latest analysis, news, odds and betting tips for all of the AFL’s upcoming action, check out my AFL round 8 tips and predictions below, or follow me&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/feed/profile/view/56/ist_ambassador_deeplink_action">on the feed</a>&nbsp;and see them there!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Adelaide Crows vs Port Adelaide Prediction&nbsp;</h2> <p><em><strong>Thursday, May 2, 7:30 AEST - Adelaide Oval</strong></em>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Crows collected both Showdown victories last season despite Port being a top-four team and the Crows controversially missing September action.</p> <p>So, the Power needs revenge. And - trust me - a Showdown victory means more than you can imagine. When I lived in Adelaide, I regularly had fans demanding we win the Showdown before worrying about any other wins.</p> <p>The Crows got their ‘get-right’ opponent in Tassie with a handsome win over the Roos. Izak Rankine was kicking them from everywhere and Tex Walker was dishing them off willy-nilly.</p> <p>For Port Adelaide, captain Connor Rozee will miss, as will intercept-king Aliir Aliir. The Power have also unfortunately lost bull Sam Powell-Pepper to an ACL injury for the rest of the season&nbsp; - which is a blow.</p> <p>Adelaide will need more from Rankine and plenty from Josh Rachele while Jason Horne-Francis will one day tear a Showdown to shreds… will it be this one?&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>H2H tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/adelaide-v-port-adelaide-8189507">Port by 13 points</a>.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Best bet:</strong> Todd Marshall&nbsp;2+ goals (he’s been good to us this season).&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Carlton vs Collingwood Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, May 3, 7:40pm AEST -&nbsp;MCG</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Blues off a head-scratching loss to the ladder-leading Cats and the Pies off a classic Anzac Day draw against the Bombers.</p> <p>This is a clash we could see deep into September and one not to be missed by anyone with even a passing interest in footy.</p> <p>The clash around the ball will be decisive. Sam Walsh, Patrick Cripps, George Hewett, and big man Marc Pittonet are all in rare form and smoked Geelong at clearance and contested possession last week</p> <p>For Collingwood, Jordan De Goey and Nick Daicos are somewhere close to their 2023 form whilst Patrick Lipinksi adds something around stoppage.</p> <p>Two of the in-form wingers go at it as well, with Josh Daicos and Blake Acres colliding. Acres was enormous last week, 28 disposals and two goals had him among the Blues’ very best.</p> <p>Charlie and Harry v Darcy Moore will also be a major decider in this old-school rivalry.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>H2H tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/carlton-v-collingwood-8189509">Collingwood by 3 points.</a>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Best bet: </strong>SGM - Sam Walsh&nbsp;30+ and Jamie Elliott&nbsp;2+ goals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Sydney Swans vs GWS Giants&nbsp;</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, May 4, 1:45pm AEST - SCG</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>I did say there were more gigantic contests than we could handle.</p> <p>This one could be the best game of the lot with, in my eyes, the No. 1 overall seed versus the No. 2 overall seed.</p> <p>The Sydney derby promises to be a beauty with 6-1 Sydney hosting 6-1 Greater Western Sydney.</p> <p>Toby Greene is back, which is always a handful. And Greene loves the Swans - or loves to bash them up. He averages 20 disposals and has kicked 35 goals from 19 games. In Round 7 last season, he had 22 and kicked four goals in a match-winning display. Robbie Fox likely gets that task.</p> <p>And how about the on-ball clash? Grundy v Briggs. Then Erroll Gulden, Issac Heeney, Taylor Adams, Rowbottom, and Warner are up against Tom Green, Josh Kelly, Finn Callaghan, and Lachie Ash.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>H2H tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/sydney-v-greater-western-sydney-8189508">GWS by 11 points.</a>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Best bet:</strong> Greater Western Sydney H2H</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>St Kilda vs North Melbourne Prediction&nbsp;</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, May 4, 4:35pm AEST -&nbsp;Marvel Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Saints get just what’s needed - a Marvel Stadium clash with the winless Kangaroos.</p> <p>The Saints have been hanging in there (except for their clash with Bulldogs) but their talent lacks and game-style coughs and splutters. Jack Steele, Rowan Marshall, Callum Wilkie, and Tim Membrey are incredibly gritty and honest performers, but they are struggling to turn that effort into wins.</p> <p>What do we make of North? Following their form line in a similar manner to horse racing sees them as a 44-start maiden looking for any old sniff of a win.</p> <p>Charlie Comben is one to watch in defence and we have always enjoyed Luke Davies-Uniacke’s work. But man oh man, the rest is in a world of pain.</p> <p>Despite Clarko’s presence, these Roos may be worse than ever before.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>H2H tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/st-kilda-v-north-melbourne-8189510">St Kilda by 41 points.</a>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Best bet:</strong> Mitchito Owens&nbsp;2+ goals</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Melbourne vs Geelong Prediction&nbsp;</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, May 4, 7:30pm AEST -&nbsp;MCG</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Another cracker with two potential premiership performers engaged here.</p> <p>The Dees have similar woes to last season in the front half without consistent performances from Jacob Van Rooyen or Harrison Petty. Petty, to me, is a defender and not a forward. Much will be asked of Kozzie Pickett and Bayley Fritsch regarding putting a decent score on the board.</p> <p>Jeremy Cameron took control last week, mixing his work between the forward fifty and up the ground - ending with 17 disposals, nine marks, and a handful of sausage rolls.</p> <p>Ironically, in the past, Harrison Petty has done a great job opposed to Cameron, but expect defensive lynchpin Steve May to be assigned to Tom Hawkins. But with Petty playing at the playing at the other end out of necessity, there seems no obvious match-up for ‘Roaming Jezza.’&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>H2H tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/melbourne-v-geelong-8189511">Geelong by 8 points</a>.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Best bet:</strong>&nbsp;Jeremy Cameron 3+ goals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>West Coast Eagles vs Essendon Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, May 4, 8:10pm AEST - Optus Stadium</strong></em>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Since a trip to Mt Barker for Gather Round, this is a new and improved Eagles unit.</p> <p>They did lose that South Australian clash with Sydney but were competitive throughout. They then peeled off two wins - including a Derby - and again went cross country and fought Gold Coast for four quarters.</p> <p>They’ll regain Harley Reid for this one and will give themselves a massive chance.</p> <p>Essendon is on the way up. Yes, we’ve seen this movie before but there’s more proof - and substance - in the pudding. Sam Durham is changing their midfield with his willingness to pressure and tackle. His size is something the Dons have needed around the pill.</p> <p>Whilst Kyle Langford could've been the hero on Anzac Day, his form remains strong and he will ask questions of an undermanned Eagle defence, despite regaining big Tom Barrass.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>H2H tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/west-coast-v-essendon-8189512">Essendon by 14 points.</a>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Best bet:</strong>&nbsp;SGM - Zac Merrett&nbsp;30+ disposals and anytime goal.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Richmond vs Fremantle Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, May 5,&nbsp;1:00pm AEST - MCG</strong></em></p> <p><br /> Not a heap to get excited about here. This could even be Richmond’s lowest MCG crowd for a while.</p> <p>Freo got back on track with a nifty win over the Dogs on home soil. Despite jumping on the plane for this one, this is one they simply should just win if we want to continue taking them seriously.</p> <p>Jordan Clark is one that I am enjoying following. The former Cat must be an All-Australian contender for a halfback role. He’s averaged 25 disposals and had 14 running bounces across the season - highlighting his dash and dare off half-back.</p> <p>Josh Treacy is another who deserves some love. I was worried about the big man, but he’s improved rapidly this season. He’s kicked a goal or more in every game and has bagged three on three occasions. He’s also averaging close to six marks and looks like a lovely foil for Jye Amiss when he returns.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>H2H tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/richmond-v-fremantle-8189513">Fremantle&nbsp;by 22 points.</a>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Best bet: </strong>Liam Baker&nbsp;25+ disposals (showcasing his skills for his new team, perhaps?).</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Western Bulldogs vs Hawthorn Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, May 5, 4:00pm AEST - Marvel Stadium</strong></em>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Dogs and Hawks do battle under the lid, but I doubt this will be a clash worth raising the roof at the Docklands.</p> <p>The Dogs simply must win. They’re up, down, round, and round at the moment but will likely regain Jamarra Ugle-Hagan. For the Hawks, they were hammered by Sydney at The ‘G. They were powerless to prevent uncontested marks and put any pressure on the Swans’ elite ball use.</p> <p>Finn Maginness was not used to clamp either Gulden or Heeney and they paid the price. Will he go to The Bont this week? Surely.</p> <p>The Hawks will fancy themselves - not sure why - but they will. But at Marvel, with more on the line, these Dogs must win. And should win.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>H2H tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/western-bulldogs-v-hawthorn-8189514">Western Bulldogs by 33 points.</a>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Best bet:&nbsp;</strong>Sam Darcy&nbsp;2+ goals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Brisbane Lions vs Gold Coast Suns Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, May 5, 7:10pm AEST - The Gabba</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The QClash rounds out a ripper round of footy.</p> <p>The Queensland derby has always had plenty of spice, but now with the Suns enjoying early life under Damien Hardwick, this game will be one worth the neutrals tuning into.</p> <p>The Lions season is in free fall – which makes this game a must-win. They need their leaders to stand up and re-assert their dominance. The pressure is rising and Lachie Neale, Harris Andrews, Joe Daniher, and Charlie Cameron must take control to wrestle back momentum in the Lions season.</p> <p>The Suns though, are sitting pretty on the doorstep of the top 8 and are looking to add their name to the growing list of teams to take points off the Lions at the previously impenetrable Gabba this season. Matt Rowell is in vintage form, averaging 9.4 clearances a game, with his best friend Noah Anderson riding shotgun alongside him with a suite of exciting, local academy kids who are loving the lights of big league footy.</p> <p>The Suns will be full of confidence but have a terrible 3 win- 16 loss record at the Gabba and the Lions are desperate for a win.</p> <p>It’s enough for me to give the Lions one more chance, but only just.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>H2H tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/brisbane-v-gold-coast-8189515">Brisbane by 5 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Best bet: </strong>SGM - Matt Rowell&nbsp;25+ disposals &amp;&nbsp;1 goal.&nbsp;</p>