AFL Expert Tips and Predictions for Round 8, 2026
Last updated: May 3, 2026, 1:15PM | Published: Apr 26, 2026, 11:16AM
Looking for AFL tips for Round 8? We have AFL Round 8 tips 2026 for every match this week.
Get an edge in AFL tipping competitions thanks to our data-driven AFL expert tips for Round 8 of the 2026 AFL season, the result of simulating each AFL match 10,000 times.
AFL Round 8 Expert Tips 2026
AFL fans have nine games to look forward to this week, starting with Collingwood vs Hawthorn on Thursday and concluding with Gold Coast vs GWS on Sunday.
Our AFL footy tips and predictions are powered by independent data and analytics, making our AFL tips Round 8 2026 a go-to resource for AFL tipsters of every level.
AFL Tips Round 8 2026: Who Will Win
Featured below are our predictions for each AFL clash in Round 8, based on 10,000 simulations per match.
Collingwood vs Hawthorn
Round 8 action kicks off with Collingwood facing Hawthorn at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Thursday night. Our AFL model projects Hawthorn as having a 75% chance of winning, while Collingwood has a 25% projected win chance.
Collingwood vs Hawthorn is at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Thursday, April 30 at 7:30pm. All times mentioned in this article are in Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST).
Western Bulldogs vs Fremantle
In Friday night's game between the Western Bulldogs and Fremantle, the Dockers are the more likely winners, with our predictive model projecting a 64% chance for Fremantle. On the other hand, the Western Bulldogs have a 36% chance of winning.
Western Bulldogs vs Fremantle is at Marvel Stadium on Friday, May 1 at 7:30pm.
More: AFL Premiership 2026 Tips
Sydney vs Melbourne
We are tipping Sydney to win its game against Melbourne this week, with our powerful AFL model projecting an 88% win probability for the Swans. Melbourne has a 12% chance of winning.
Sydney vs Melbourne is at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday, May 3 at 3:15pm.
West Coast vs Richmond
With a win probability of 62%, our tip for this game is West Coast, while its opponent, Richmond, has a projected win chance of 38%.
West Coast vs Richmond is at Optus Stadium on Saturday, May 2 at 4:15pm.
More: AFL Player Ratings
Carlton vs St Kilda
The Saints have a 60% chance of winning this week, compared to Carlton's 40% chance of victory. This makes St Kilda the team to tip at Marvel Stadium.
Carlton vs St Kilda is at Marvel Stadium on Saturday, May 2 at 7:35pm.
Adelaide vs Port Adelaide
Adelaide is favoured to win here, with our predictive analytics model giving them a 62% chance, while Port Adelaide enters the weekend with a 38% chance of causing an upset at Adelaide Oval.
Adelaide vs Port Adelaide is at Adelaide Oval on Friday, May 1 at 8:10pm.
More: AFL Strength of Schedule
Essendon vs Brisbane
According to our predictive analytics model, Brisbane is the team to beat in this game, with the Lions' win probability at 89%. Essendon, on the other hand, has an 11% chance of winning.
Essendon vs Brisbane is at Marvel Stadium on Saturday, May 2 at 12:35pm.
Geelong vs North Melbourne
We are tipping the Cats in this game, with Geelong given an 82% chance of winning, while North Melbourne has an 18% chance of an upset win.
Geelong vs North Melbourne is at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday, May 2 at 4:35pm.
Gold Coast vs GWS
The last game of Round 8 sees Gold Coast take on GWS at Metricon Stadium.
We are tipping Gold Coast with a win probability of 66%, while GWS is projected to have a win chance of 34%.
Gold Coast vs GWS is at Metricon Stadium on Sunday, May 3 at 7:20pm.
AFL Tipping Round 8 2026: Who to Tip
- Hawthorn
- Fremantle
- Sydney
- West Coast
- St Kilda
- Adelaide
- Brisbane
- Geelong
- Gold Coast
Related: Predictions for Every AFL Game
AFL Round 8 Games to Tip On
- Collingwood Magpies vs Hawthorn Hawks
- Western Bulldogs vs Fremantle Dockers
- Sydney Swans vs Melbourne Demons
- West Coast Eagles vs Richmond Tigers
- Carlton Blues vs St Kilda Saints
- Adelaide Crows vs Port Adelaide Power
- Essendon Bombers vs Brisbane Lions
- Geelong Cats vs North Melbourne Kangaroos
- Gold Coast Suns vs GWS Giants
The AFL footy tips Round 8 2026 and probabilities in this article are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
Stats Insider is renowned in Australia for providing expert AFL tips. Our AFL expert tips 2026 are generated by an in-house team of skilled data scientists and analysts who use cutting-edge technology and machine learning to simulate each game 10,000 times and determine the most likely outcomes. This meticulous approach ensures our predictions are accurate and reliable, helping you make informed decisions when it comes to AFL tipping.
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