Last round had everything. Even a draw!

Friday night’s double-header was enormous with a high-scoring shootout at Marvel Stadium and a dramatic Showdown ending.

The Lions toyed with Essendon, Richmond had its maiden win in the west and Geelong destroyed the Roos in the last half-hour of their game down the highway.

The Saints handed the Blues ANOTHER second half decimation, Sydney won the highest-scoring match of the season, and the Expansion Cup was taken out by the Suns.

Onto Round 9 already, and we’re confident it’ll be just as enthralling.

For the latest team news, analysis, and expert insights, check out our expert AFL tips and predictions for Round 9 below.

Fremantle Dockers vs Hawthorn Hawks

Thursday, May 7, 8:10pm AEST - Optus Stadium

The game of the round kick-starts the round in the west. Fremantle keep winning and keep doing so in different methods, which we think only adds to their premiership credentials.

They were slow starters against the Dogs but exploded to take the lead before staving off a Bulldog revival last week, very impressive.

The Hawks were behind the starter’s gun last week and, despite truly dominating almost every key area, were probably lucky to pinch two premiership points. They’ll need to be better here to challenge and defeat the Dockers at home.

Treacy vs. Barrass will be superb, as will Murphy Reid and Shai Bolton versus Dylan Moore and Jack Ginnivan. This shapes as a preview to a likely September rematch.

Head-to-head prediction: Fremantle Dockers by 3 points.

Betting tip: Judd McVee 17+ disposals.

Brisbane Lions vs Carlton Blues

Friday, May 8, 7:30pm AEST - The Gabba

Staggeringly, these Blues have lost five games this season after leading at halftime. Some of those have been leads deep into the third quarter or even the last term.

Fortunately, it’s fairly unlikely they’ll need to worry about being in front against these Lions.

Brisbane were far too powerful for Essendon on the road last week and get back-to-back looks at bottom-four sides.

It may even be an opportune time for a few Lions to take a rest; something Chris Fagan has done far less than we would’ve expected.

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

Betting tip: Will Ashcroft 30+ disposals.

Port Adelaide Power vs Western Bulldogs

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

A month ago, this was a genuine half-volley for the rampaging Dogs. Problem is, those Dogs are no longer rampaging, and Port have really turned their form around.

The Power were excellent against the Hawks and combative and competitive in another epic Showdown.

When Butters, Horne-Francis, and Georgiades are firing, this is a tough out. And the Dogs/Butters storyline will be interesting in the lead-up to this one.

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

Betting tip: Zak Butters 31+ disposals.

North Melbourne Kangaroos vs Sydney Swans

 Saturday, May 9, 1:15pm AEST - Marvel Stadium

The Roos were so good for so long in Geelong before completely melting down in the last term at GMHBA Stadium. The Kangas coughed up nine goals in the last 30 minutes of footy after being in the hunt deep into the third.

Sydney were challenged early in the game against the Demons last Sunday, but the offensive weaponry is endless for the red and the white.

Malcolm Rosas kicked seven which was a sight to behold; while Joel Amartey kicked four, and Logan McDonald chimed in with a few.

The Swans kicked 19 goals with only one from Curnow, Warner, or Heeney. Under the lid at Marvel, Sydney will fancy themselves again offensively, can North keep this attacking machine under 110 points?

Based on last week’s last quarter in Geelong, the answer will be an emphatic no.

Head-to-head prediction: Sydney Swans by 33 points.

Betting tip: Charlie Curnow 4+ goals.

GWS Giants vs Essendon Bombers

Saturday, May 9, 4:15pm AEST - ENGIE Stadium

The Giants remain the hardest assessment of all teams, in our view. They hung with Gold Coast but never truly looked like claiming the Expansion Cup. The usual performers did their thing, Oliver with 32, Whitfield 30, Ash 29 and Callaghan 28.

The problem was up front: Cadman looked good kicking a couple, but they have a large issue brewing with Jesse Hogan as he looked out of sorts and down on confidence.

For Essendon, this looms as an opportunity to be competitive for the full 120 minutes. At times last week, the Bombers looked uncompetitive as Brisbane walked into goal after goal, giving up 143 points.

Head-to-head prediction: GWS Giants by 25 points.

Betting tip: Aaron Cadman 3+ goals.

Gold Coast Suns vs St Kilda Saints

Saturday, May 9, 7:10pm AEST - TIO Stadium, Darwin

The Suns shone in slippery and humid conditions in last week’s Expansion Cup. John Noble dominated with 35 disposals and a goal, while Petracca’s dominance remained with 29 touches and a couple of goals.

The Saints were becoming the story of the weekend as Carlton went bang and stormed to a hefty lead, but Luckily the Saints came out and exploded in the third term, kicking eight goals to one.

This looks like one Gold Coast must claim to get things back on track. The Saints are a competitive group and can suddenly kick winning scores, but the Suns should be too strong in the Territory.

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

Betting tip: Gold Coast Suns -13.5.

Geelong Cats vs Collingwood Magpies

Saturday, May 9, 7:35pm AEST - MCG

This shapes as a fascinating contest. Geelong had a clash on its hands with the emerging Roos before upshifting into fifth gear and kicking nine goals in the last 30 minutes. Neale, Holmes, Mannagh, and Cameron all did damage.

Collingwood’s defensive system will make life far more difficult. However, Jeremy Cameron’s record against the Pies is sensational, 61 goals from 17 games.

Max Holmes keeps dominating, too, in a role opposition teams are yet to figure out. Oisin Mullin vs. Nick Daicos... there’s no doubt about that!

Head-to-head prediction: Geelong Cats by 14 points.

Betting tip: Patrick Dangerfield 2+ goals.

Melbourne Demons vs West Coast Eagles

Sunday, May 10, 1:10pm AEST – Marvel Stadium

The Dees are a force offensively. No one thought they’d be saying that about them, but under Steven King, scoring goals is no problem for this squad in 2026. They do lose Brody Mihocek via a hammy, but their depth is firing.

West Coast suffered an embarrassing loss against a depleted and winless Tigers. Questions now begin over Andrew McQualter’s tenure.

The Dees are around seven-goal favourites and we’d say there will be a period in this game where they kick half a dozen in a signature MCG burst.

Head-to-head prediction: Melbourne Demons by 50 points.

Betting tip: Kade Chandler 2+ goals.

Richmond Tigers vs Adelaide Crows

Sunday, May 10, 3:15pm AEST - MCG

Richmond finally got on the board last week in WA. And now they get an interesting game where competitiveness should not be out of the question.

Adelaide won but did not impress us in the Showdown, their issues are real and not going away.

There’s often an emotional letdown off such a large emotional win, which Adelaide went through last week.

This will be a small crowd, hoping for some life and energy from the Tiger Cubs so they can get behind them and make Adelaide’s life hard on a Mother’s Day afternoon.

Head-to-head prediction: Adelaide Crows by 21 points.

Betting tip: Josh Rachele 3+ goals.

Odds are subject to change.*