AFL Round 8 Tips & Preview - Best bets for the Round 8 of the AFL home and away season

By Adam Cusworth

29 Apr 2025

Adam Cusworth 29 Apr 2025

Share this article

Essendon vs North Melbourne: Essendon favored as they look to bounce back.
St Kilda aims to end a losing streak against Fremantle’s strong form.
Collingwood seeks a seventh straight win against Geelong.
Q Clash between Brisbane and Gold Coast shapes as best yet

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 12: Patrick Dangerfield of the Cats is chased by Scott Pendlebury of the Magpies during the 2024 AFL Round 18 match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Geelong Cats at Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 12, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Round 8 of the 2025 AFL season takes place from May 1. Adam Cusworth provides his best bets for the eight games taking place.

Essendon v North Melbourne, Marvel Stadium (7.30pm)
St Kilda v Fremantle, Marvel Stadium (7.40pm)
Saturday May 3
Western Bulldogs v Port Adelaide, Mars Stadium (1.20pm)
Adelaide Crows v Carlton, Adelaide Oval (4.15pm)
West Coast Eagles v Melbourne, Optus Stadium (7.35pm)
Collingwood v Geelong Cats, MCG (7.35pm)
Sydney Swans v GWS Giants, SCG (1.10pm)
Hawthorn v Richmond, MCG (3.20pm)
Brisbane Lions v Gold Coast Suns, The Gabba (7.20pm)

Thursday May 1

Essendon v North Melbourne, Marvel Stadium (7.30pm)

Essendon will be out to bounce back from their ANZAC Day loss and extend a dominant recent record against North Melbourne. The Bombers sit at 3-3 and have won 11 straight against the Kangaroos, who are 1-8. Those wins include a 40-point victory in their last meeting where Peter Wright booted four goals. Despite showing some fight in their nine-point loss to Port Adelaide last week, North’s defensive woes make them vulnerable once again. With Zach Merrett in top form through the midfield and Essendon leading the league in disposals, the Dons can push their win-loss record into positive territory.

Friday May 2

St Kilda v Fremantle, Marvel Stadium (7.40pm)

St Kilda will be looking to end their three-game losing streak when they face Fremantle at Marvel Stadium in Round 8. The Saints have struggled in recent weeks, with their scoring drying up. Their loss to Brisbane by 45 points in Round 7 further highlighted their challenges. In contrast, Fremantle comes into this game on a strong run, having won four of their last five, including an impressive victory over Adelaide in Round 7. Andrew Brayshaw and Caleb Serong have been instrumental in the Dockers’ midfield and with Josh Treacy continuing his strong form up forward, Fremantle can take this out.

Saturday May 3

Western Bulldogs v Port Adelaide, Mars Stadium (1.20pm)

The Western Bulldogs will look to continue their winning form when they face Port Adelaide at Mars Stadium on Saturday. Both teams sit at 4-3, but the Bulldogs have momentum after back-to-back wins, including a dominant clearance performance against GWS. Their midfield depth, led by Tom Liberatore and Marcus Bontempelli, is expected to be a key edge against a Port Adelaide side that ranks poorly in clearance stats. The Power have won the last four head-to-heads but the Bulldogs have claimed four of their past five at Ballarat. The Dogs can edge out Port in what should be a tight contest.

Adelaide Crows v Carlton, Adelaide Oval (4.15pm)

Carlton head to Adelaide Oval on Saturday aiming for a fourth consecutive win as they face a Crows side struggling to maintain early-season momentum. The Blues are riding high after an 18-point victory over Geelong, with their improved scoring output helping them bounce back from a 0-4 start. Adelaide, meanwhile, have dropped three of their last four games and struggled to find forward efficiency, registering just 52 and 67 points in recent weeks. Despite never beating the Crows at Adelaide Oval, Carlton’s recent form — led by Sam Walsh’s ball-winning and Charlie Curnow’s scoring power — gives them a strong shot at breaking that streak.

West Coast Eagles v Melbourne, Optus Stadium (7.35pm)

Melbourne will look to continue their resurgence with a third straight win when they face the winless West Coast Eagles in Round 8 at Optus Stadium. After five early-season losses, the Demons have found form with victories over Fremantle and Richmond, driven by strong performances from Max Gawn, Christian Salem, and Christian Petracca. Despite both sides struggling to score this year, Melbourne has shown recent improvement inside 50, while West Coast continues to battle with poor form, ranking last in key statistical areas. The Demons have won four of the past five meetings between the two teams, and with Bailey Fritsch returning to the scene of his 2021 Grand Final heroics, Melbourne can make it a hat-trick.

Collingwood v Geelong Cats, MCG (7.35pm)

Collingwood will look to extend their winning streak to seven when they host Geelong in a high-stakes Saturday night clash at the MCG. The Magpies have been in dominant form, defeating five 2024 finalists during their current run, and boast the league’s stingiest defence, while their star-studded midfield including Nick Daicos, Steele Sidebottom, and Scott Pendlebury have been on fire of late. Geelong are at 4-3 but were outplayed by Carlton last round and face an uphill battle despite Jeremy Cameron’s strong form up forward. With Collingwood’s depth and pressure game firing, expect the Pies to cover the line.

Sunday May 4

Sydney Swans v GWS Giants, SCG (1.10pm)

The Sydney Swans and GWS Giants face off in a crucial Round 8 Sydney Derby at the SCG, with both clubs looking to rebound from recent losses. The Swans have slipped to 2-5 after three straight defeats and are battling a lengthy injury list that includes key players like Errol Gulden and Tom Papley. GWS, sitting at 4-3, are also out of form with back-to-back losses, but they boast a healthier list and key contributors like Tom Green and Jesse Hogan ready to make an impact. While Sydney have won the past four meetings, the Giants appear better positioned to snap that streak and dent the Swans’ finals hopes, especially if they can tighten up their clearance game and convert more forward entries.

Hawthorn v Richmond, MCG (3.20pm)

Hawthorn will be aiming to cement their solid start to 2025 with a dominant performance over the struggling Richmond Tigers in Sunday’s Round 8 clash at the MCG. The Hawks, sitting at 5-2, returned to winning form last week with a 50-point victory over West Coast and will look to sharpen up their ball use against a Tigers side ranked near the bottom in key metrics. Richmond, now 2-5, have shown glimpses — including an upset win over Gold Coast — but continue to lack consistency and scoring power. Jack Gunston’s hot streak in front of goal and Jai Newcombe’s midfield form could prove decisive, especially with the Hawks having thrashed the Tigers twice last year by 48 and 63 points.

Brisbane Lions v Gold Coast Suns, The Gabba (7.20pm)

Sunday’s Round 8 Q-Clash at the GABBA promises to be one of the most exciting yet, with Brisbane and Gold Coast both enjoying strong starts to the 2025 AFL season. The Lions have won six of seven games and come off a dominant 45-point victory over St Kilda, while the Suns have surged into finals contention, sitting at 5-1 and atop the league for points scored and inside 50s. Brisbane hold the edge historically and won both clashes last year, but Gold Coast’s explosive form — including a 12-goal blitz against Sydney — shows they are ready to challenge the reigning premiers. Expect a midfield battle featuring Dayne Zorko, Lachie Neale, and John Noble, and a key forward duel between Ben King and Harris Andrews. Hard to separate these two but the Suns are a great chance at the line that has been set.