<p>Round 8 hardly kicked off in style considering what we witnessed on Thursday and Friday night footy, but we did get the cash thanks to a massive performance from&nbsp; Tristan Xerri against his old mentor, Todd Goldstein.</p> <p>Izak Rankine did the job with 20 and 2, just as we asked whilst Brody Mihocek and Nick Watson kicked the snags we required to get the spoils.</p> <p>Once again this week, it appears the fixture-maker was asleep at the wheel but we dive in regardless.</p> <p>Here’s how we’re looking at another big week of footy. For the latest analysis, news, odds, and betting tips for all of this week’s action, check out my AFL round 9 tips and predictions below, or follow me <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/feed/profile/view/56/ist_ambassador_deeplink_action">on the feed</a> and see them there!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Fremantle vs Collingwood Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Thursday, May 9, 8:10pm AEST - Optus Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Collingwood encounters two major hurdles going into this one.</p> <p>A&nbsp; really difficult short-turnaround into a trip to Pert and b. An opponent who ought to be incredibly wound up after a horrendous performance on the big stage.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Dockers have been good at home but, We have seen too many awful performances from them already in this young season.</p> <p>It’s part-method and part-execution on the way Freo play and where the problems lay.</p> <p>The Pies were rolled last week, in a game they won, lost then almost pinched again and enter this game as one of the in-form teams of the early part of the season. Balancing their ageing group will be a mighty challenge as the season advances.</p> <p>I’m smelling an upset here with Freo doing the job at home after what would’ve been an awful week to be wearing purple.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/fremantle-v-collingwood-9166587">Dockers by 10 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Caleb Serong 30+ disposals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>St Kilda vs Carlton Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, May 10, 7:40pm AEST - MCG</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Again, do you believe in the bounce back?</p> <p>The Blues were run off Adelaide Oval by a rampant Crows team whilst the Saints strangled Freo under the lid.</p> <p>Therefore, do we see a revved-up Carlton and a potentially complacent Saints? The drop-off only needs to be 5% for the game to swing massively.</p> <p>Rowan Marshall v Tom De Koning is a major clash, whilst Jack Steele likely looks to go shoulder-to-shoulder with superstar Patrick Cripps once again.</p> <p>It’s hard to see either of these two participating in September but whoever wins this will feel like they’re a sniff of making a run at things.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/st-kilda-v-carlton-9166588">Blues by 11 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Sam Walsh 30+ disposals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Melbourne vs Hawthorn Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, May 10, 1:20pm AEST - MCG</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Dees have run into some of the lesser-rung squads and done the job, effectively getting their season back on some kinda track.</p> <p>This will be a different animal, though, as the Hawks celebrated their 100 years with a fairly comfy win over Richmond.</p> <p>The Hawks’ speed will trouble Melbourne. I’d be looking to control the tempo with plenty of uncontested marks, trying to resist buying into the chaos and speed the Hawks like playing with.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/melbourne-v-hawthorn-9166591">Hawks by 21 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Dylan Moore 2+ goals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Essendon vs Sydney Prediction</h2> <p><strong><em>Saturday, May 10, 4:15pm AEST - Marvel Stadium</em></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Sydney grabbed the crucial Derby win over GWS, which might’ve kept the season alive.</p> <p>That game was messy and littered with errors but Isaac Heeney and Chad Warner led the way and the Swans found a way to get to 3-5.&nbsp;</p> <p>Now, a clash with Essendon under the lid.</p> <p>James Jordon will have spent the week preparing for 120 minutes alongside Zac Merrett. The Kangaroos decided against tagging the Dons skipper and paid the appropriate price.</p> <p>Sam Durham and Isaac Heeney will be a clash worth paying admission to see whilst Kyle Langford’s role is one I’m tracking closely. He spent plenty of time on the wing last week but did creep forward on occasion.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/essendon-v-sydney-swans-9166589">Swans by 8 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Will Hayward 2+ goals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Gold Coast vs Western Bulldogs Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, May 10, 7:35pm AEST - TIO Stadium&nbsp;</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>We’ve got an unbelievable clash here in the far north of Australia.</p> <p>The Suns were reminded they are in fact little brother when it comes to Queensland footy whilst the Dogs totally smashed an in-form Port Adelaide in Ballarat.</p> <p>Gold Coast were all-conquering in the NT last season but it’s also a venue the Dogs are not unfamiliar with.</p> <p>The Suns' on-ball group were embarrassed last week, with even Matt Rowell succumbing to the premiership Lions.</p> <p>Ben King had just two disposals last week, whilst young guns Walter and Read were again quiet.</p> <p>Adam Treloar returned in style and Timmy English played his best game since being named All-Australian a couple of seasons ago. 27 disposals, 3 goals, and 17 score involvements are phenomenal numbers for a ruckman.</p> <p>We should have a beauty on our hands here.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/gold-coast-suns-v-western-bulldogs-9166590">Suns by 4 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Matt Rowell 25+ disposals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Port Adelaide vs Adelaide Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, May 10, 8:10pm AEST - Adelaide Oval</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>What a juicy clash this Showdown will be.</p> <p>Port were wiped from the park at Ballarat, despite being 2-0 in their history at the venue.</p> <p>Barely a man in Power colours could walk off with any type of dignity intact.</p> <p>But, a Showdown always demands the best of both - despite what the recent history has meant for Adelaide and Port Adelaide.</p> <p>The Crows hammered Carlton, but an away Showdown is a tricky animal.</p> <p>Butters, Horne-Francis, Wines and maybe some of Rozee around the ball versus Dawson, Rankine, Berry, Soligo and Peatling will be interesting. Enough supply should see Adelaide win on talent, but we know ladder positions and recent form means little in these often spiteful encounters.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/port-adelaide-v-adelaide-crows-9166593">Power by 7 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Jason Horne-Francis 25+ disposals + anytime goalscorer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Richmond vs West Coast Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, May 11, 1:10pm AEST - MCG</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>A winning opportunity for two teams who we all had finishing down in the cellar.</p> <p>The Tigers broke their duck in Round 1, allaying any fears anyone had they could be in for a winless season. The real concern now is with West Coast, who have struggled to put anything consistent together from week to week.</p> <p>At The ‘G, I give Richmond an edge, especially with names like Taranto, Short, Nankervis, Vlastuin, Hopper, and Lynch to follow.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/richmond-v-west-coast-eagles-9166592">Tigers by 14 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Tom Lynch 3+ goals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Geelong vs GWS Giants Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, May 11, 3:20pm AEST - GMHBA Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Many talk about the weapon that is Kardinia Park for Geelong.</p> <p>Few talk about the weapon it has been for Greater Western Sydney, who have won their past four at the venue.</p> <p>The problem is, GWS are just going at the moment. Their clash with the Swans was fierce and aggressive, but the Giants actual play was scrappy, sloppy and littered with wasted chances.</p> <p>Toby Greene and Jesse Hogan need to get going again for this squad to be somewhere near their very best.</p> <p>Geelong will go ruck by committee, using Blicavs, De Koning and Neale at stages whilst Toby Bedford (if healthy) will most certainly tackle Holmes or Bailey Smith.</p> <p>A fifth consecutive win for GWS would be unlikely in Geelong, but the past four were probably unexpected as is - so anything could happen here.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/geelong-cats-v-gws-giants-9166595">Giants by 11 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Tom Green 30+ disposals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>North Melbourne vs Brisbane Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, May 11, 4:40pm AEST - Ninja Stadium&nbsp;</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>At Ninja Stadium in the twilight zone, the Roos face the league’s scariest proposition - the Brisbane Lion Kings.</p> <p>The bigger, stronger and more ferocious Lions bashed up the Suns in the Q Clash last week in a genuinely powerful showing.</p> <p>The clearance and contested ball demolition was a warning shot to the rest of the competition.</p> <p>Neale, Berry, McCluggage, Ashcroft and Ashcroft, Rayner, and Bailey are all deadly weapons around the ball and Josh Dunkley will go to Luke Davies-Uniacke and make his life hell.</p> <p>Charlie Cameron’s return to form was another welcome sight for this almighty side.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/north-melbourne-v-brisbane-lions-9166594">Lions by 34 points.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Zac Bailey 2+ goals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>2025 AFL Premiership Odds</h2>