Round 8 of the AFL season gets underway Thursday night with a battle between Essendon and North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium, before the Saints host the Dockers on Friday night.
Keep up to date with all of the fixtures, games, team news, tips, odds, results, reaction, and video as they come to hand.
THURSDAY, MAY 1
Essendon vs. North Melbourne
Team news: The Bombers have made one change this week, with veteran Dylan Shiel managed and young midfielder Elijah Tsatas coming into the side. Meanwhile, Paul Curtis had his three-match suspension upheld by the tribunal and is one of three changes at the roos, with Darcy Tucker (omitted) and Gorge Wardlaw (corked thigh) also making way for Bailey Scott, Will Phillips and debutant Finnbar Maley.
ESPN tip: Bombers by 21 points
Pointsbet odds: Bombers $1.40, Roos $2.95
Get your tips in now on the ESPNfootytips app!
FRIDAY, MAY 2
St Kilda vs. Fremantle
Team news: The Saints have named but will make a game-day decision on Mattaes Phillipou, while Hugh Boxshall and Liam O'Connoll also come in, for Mason Wood (concussion), Zak Jones (managed), and Isaac Keeler (omitted). For the Dockers, Luke Jackson (hamstring) is back in the team, with Oscar McDonald the unlucky out.
ESPN tip: Dockers by 24 points
Pointsbet odds: Saints $2.10, Dockers $1.73
SATURDAY, MAY 3
Western Bulldogs vs. Port Adelaide
Team news: Dogs midfielder Adam Treloar is close to returning from a calf injury as the Dogs hunt three consecutive wins, while Taylor Duryea has also put his hand up after an impressive 31 disposals and eight marks for Footscray, where Liam Jones also played an effective role with 15 touches, six marks and a game-high eight intercepts. Meanwhile, Port Adelaide have made two changes; Josh Sinn was left concussed by a Paul Curtis tackle in Round 7 and will miss, while Christian Moraes has been omitted. In come Will Lorenz and Logan Evans.
ESPN tip: Bulldogs by 15 points
Pointsbet odds: Dogs $1.35, Power $3.15
Adelaide vs. Carlton
Team news: Changes aplenty here, with the Crows making four and Carlton three. Adelaide regain Darcy Fogarty, and have recalled Sam Berry, Jordon Butts, and Brodie Smith, with Matt Crouch (hip), Nick Murray (knee), Mitch Hinge (suspension), and Sid Draper (omitted) going out. The Blues have recalled Lewis Young, Lachie Cowan, and veteran Sam Docherty for injured trio Jack Silvagni (hand), Zac Williams (calf), and Matt Cottrell (ankle).
ESPN tip: Blues by 7 points
Pointsbet odds: Crows $1.53, Blues $2.50
Collingwood vs. Geelong
Team news: In a big blow, Collingwood will be without Dan McStay for the next 6-8 weeks after he injured his MCL against the Bombers, with Mason Cox coming in. Lachie Schultz also returns from a hamstring injury, and captain Darcy Moore returns after vertigo symptoms related to an inner-ear issue ruled him out of last week's Anzac Day win. Lachie Sullivan and Jeremy Howe make way. For the Cats, it's one change, with Tom Stewart going out with knee soreness, with veteran Mitch Duncan coming in.
ESPN tip: Pies by 3 points
Pointsbet odds: Pies $1.60, Cats $2.35
West Coast vs. Melbourne
Team news: Clayton Oliver will miss this week's clash through personal reasons, and Tom Fullarton has been dropped, with Jake Melksham coming in with Dan Turner. West Coast have announced that draftee Bo Allen will debut, joining Tim Kelly and Tyler Brockman as 'ins', with Hamish Davis, Tyrell Dewar, and Noah Long going out.
ESPN tip: Demons by 35 points
Pointsbet odds: Eagles $3.00, Demons $1.38
SUNDAY, MAY 4
Sydney vs. GWS
Team news: Ben Paton (calf) was subbed out of the Swans' loss against Gold Coast and if he is to be replaced, Angus Sheldrick's 34 touches in the VFL could be hard to ignore. Callum Mills (foot) is also nearing a return, but could still be one more week away. Luckless forward Logan McDonald could go under the knife after suffering a stress fracture in his fibula.
ESPN tip: Giants by 20 points
Pointsbet odds: Swans $2.35, Giants $1.60
Hawthorn vs. Richmond
Team news: The Hawks will make at least two changes after Karl Amon and Jack Scrimshaw were concussed against the Eagles, but it's better news for Richmond, who'll welcome back Noah Balta after the versatile key defender had to miss last week due to curfew.
ESPN tip: Hawks by 40 points
Pointsbet odds: Hawks $1.06, Tigers $9.50
Brisbane vs. Gold Coast
Team news: The Lions are expected to have key defender Jack Payne return after he was a late out against the Saints with illness, but Logan Morris will miss Sunday night's match with calf soreness. Kai Lohmann (shoulder) also will not play.
ESPN tip: Lions by 11 points
Pointsbet odds: Lions $1.55, Suns $2.45