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Full Noise by SN
Important update on 1476AMWho wins & why? Tips & predictions for Round 7, 2026
SEN • April 23rd, 2026 12:15 pm
Round 7 is here as we enter a big weekend of footy.
With Anzac Day the centrepiece of the round, a raft of teams will take to the field instead of just the traditional Essendon v Collingwood clash, due to April 25 landing on a Saturday.
Things begin with a massive Dogs v Swans top-four shaping clash, while the Tigers and Dees face off on Friday in their Anzac Eve match-up.
Saturday's other highlight is Hawks v Suns in Tassie, while Sunday's Lions v Crows clash will have plenty of eyeballs on it.
Check out our tips and predictions for each game below.
WESTERN BULLDOGS v SYDNEY
Thursday - 7:30pm AEST - Marvel Stadium
The Bulldogs’ perfect start to the season has taken an almighty turn, dropping back-to-back games to slip to 4-2. Despite opening the year with four straight wins, the Dogs have struggled in the absence of ruckman Tim English, losing to Hawthorn and Geelong by a combined 115 points. Things have gone from bad to worse, with superstar forward Sam Darcy ruled out for the season with a ruptured ACL. Their key defensive stocks have taken a hit with James O’Donnell and Rory Lobb out with hamstring injuries while Tom Liberatore is concussed again. Ruckman Lachlan Smith will debut.
Sydney entered this season as a potential riser, and rise they have. Bar one slip against Hawthorn, the Swans have been far and away the best side in each of their contests thus far, recording a favourable 5-1 start. Despite Errol Gulden being ruled out for a large chunk of the season, Dean Cox’s men have hardly missed a beat, with Charlie Curnow’s influence beginning to make a real difference forward of centre. Will Edwards and Billy Cootee will debut for the Swans.
A clash that will likely shape the top six come September, the Bulldogs will need to fend off a Swans side in full flight to recapture their early season form. In the absence of some serious talent, odds are far from in the Dogs’ favour, with key position players missing in all areas of the ground.
As for the Swans, this is a perfect opportunity to make a huge statement and solidify a perspective top four spot. With Curnow set to line up on a back-up key defender, scores may come in thick and fast. Marvel suits the Dogs, but availabilities suit the Swans.
Prediction: Sydney by 22 points.
Jaiden Sciberras
RICHMOND v MELBOURNE
Friday - 7:40pm AEST - MCG
It’s going from bad to worse on the injury front for the Tigers. Gun midfielder Tim Taranto is out concussed, Sam Banks has broken his collarbone and Maurice Rioli has done a hamstring. Thankfully, Tom Lynch is likely back for the Anzac Eve clash which is a welcome return given the inexperienced forward line has been struggling to gel. The Tigers have lost 11 on the trot amid all their personnel woes. Last year’s pick 7, Sam Cumming, and SSP recruit Tom Burton will become the club’s fourth and fifth 2026 debutants.
Melbourne has been the surprise packet of the season thus far. Under Steven King the Demons have already peeled off four wins, including the massive scalp of back-to-back premiers the Brisbane Lions last weekend. They’ve kicked four scores of 100 or more already having achieved that feat just five times all of last season. Max Gawn remains the premier ruckman of the league, Kysaiah Pickett is in career-best form and the likes of Harvey Langford and Kade Chandler are producing some very strong footy.
Following a 75-point loss to North Melbourne, it’s impossible to tip Richmond here. Especially given the Demons have beaten the Lions and the highly-rated Gold Coast over the last three weeks. There is the danger of another rollercoaster performance – see the recent loss to Essendon – but King’s Dees really should be able to handle this match-up.
The Tigers can’t kick over 75 points and are conceding almost 110 points per game. That doesn’t bode well for a win, just yet. Tipping the Dees to roll along.
Prediction: Melbourne by 45 points.
Andrew Slevison
HAWTHORN v GOLD COAST
Saturday - 12:30pm AEST - UTAS Stadium
The suspensions of Dylan Moore and James Sicily leave a gap in experience, but this is mildly countered by the return of Jack Gunston. The narrow win over Port Adelaide at Marvel last week left a fair bit to be desired but should be a good reminder for Sam Mitchell’s men that they still have work to do. Returning to Launceston will be welcome for the Hawks as they look to make it six wins on the trot at the venue. They are humming and will take some beating anywhere, any time.
It’s an interesting phase for the Suns currently. It’s clear Damien Hardwick is not aiming to peak his side too early in the season, but losses to Melbourne and Sydney then a scrappy victory over the lowly Essendon will have him sharpening his troops soon, you would imagine.
The Suns are yet to make a call on captain Noah Anderson who had his appendix removed just over a week ago. John Noble escaped suspension for a high hit on Tom Edwards and will be crucial from half-back with Daniel Rioli. A scalp is needed soon to settle some nerves, and this is a perfect chance to claim one.
Gold Coast have never won at UTAS from six previous attempts; and if the Hawks can cover for the loss of Sicily and Moore, they could well make it seven. If the Suns can get on top in the middle, that will give them the best possible chance against an undermanned Hawks. Should be more competitive than the 38.4 average margin of prior meetings at this venue, but the Launceston factor tips it Hawthorn’s way.
Prediction: Hawthorn by 11 points.
Ethan Clark
ESSENDON v COLLINGWOOD
Saturday - 3:20pm AEST - MCG
Are the Dons a sniff...?
Essendon have recaptured a little bit of form after starting the 2026 season disastrously. Those last two weeks have seen the Dons beat the Bombers in Gather Round before pushing the Suns all the way on the Gold Coast.
If they can repeat that kind of performance here, they’re up to this game to their eyeballs.
Essendon’s attack has improved considerably over the last fortnight, and they’ll need that against the Magpies who have a sturdy team defence.
Collingwood pulled the rabbit out of the hat last week to come back from three goals down at the final break to beat Carlton. That was largely thanks to superstar Nick Daicos who has put the team on his back to start the season.
The Magpies are 3-3, but have faced some fairly strong opposition so far in 2026. They’ll back themselves to have too much experience and class against an Essendon team that’s young and rebuilding… although weird things can happen in big blockbuster games.
Essendon’s midfield have had a big say in the side’s increased efforts in recent weeks, and if they can quell Daicos’ influence somewhat, they may just enjoy stoppage dominance.
But if Collingwood can get on top around the footy, they should be able to keep the Dons at arm’s length due to their ability to defend the ground.
Essendon have won only four of the last 19 Anzac Day games, and it’s hard to see them making it five from 20 despite some promising signs in recent weeks.
Prediction: Collingwood by 32 points.
Lachlan Geleit
PORT ADELAIDE v GEELONG
Saturday - 6:35pm AEST - Adelaide Oval
This should be a straightforward result at Adelaide Oval.
Fresh off Jeremy Cameron’s 10-goal haul against the Dogs, the Cats will look to continue their impressive start to the season. Currently sitting in sixth place with their only two losses coming to Hawthorn by 1 point and an Opening Round blip against the Suns, Geelong should feed on a bottom-end team like Port Adelaide.
While Port only lost to Hawthorn by 3 points last week, a disjointed team like Port Adelaide will struggle to keep that promising form up in consecutive weeks. Also, their only two victories this season have come against the last-placed Richmond and second-last Essendon – form which won’t stand up against the Cats.
In fact, this matchup hasn’t been a pretty one for Port in recent memory. In their last three games against each other, Port have lost to the Cats by an average margin of 82 points. And get this – two of those defeats for Port came at Adelaide Oval.
With Cameron back in excellent form and history on Geelong’s side, expect the Cats to thump Port Adelaide on Port’s home deck.
Prediction: Geelong by 54 points.
Connor Scanlon
FREMANTLE v CARLTON
Saturday - 8:15pm AEST - Optus Stadium
The Dockers are among the form teams of the competition on the back of five straight wins. They eventually shook off West Coast in the Derby to lob by 56 points, a result which has them sitting primed and second.
Justin Longmuir’s side is winning in different ways whether it be a defensive grind, an open attack, rapid ball use or slow and considered ball movement.
There are plenty of good signs, particularly the form of Jye Amiss who has booted 11 goals in past three, while Jordan Clark is in All-Australian form again, Rising Star Murphy Reid has gone to another level, and Caleb Seron keeps on keeping on.
From a Carlton perspective they’d just want the ball bounced.
It’s been a challenging week for the Blues in the wake of the Elijah Hollands turmoil. They’d love the distraction of an actual game.
Michael Voss’ side has no problem gaining a lead. The issue is holding onto it and remaining in front by the final siren.
The Blues have won just one third quarter and two fourth quarters in their six games so far this season and must find a way to bridge the gap between their best and worst.
Optus Stadium has not held any fears for the Blues in recent years. They’ve won three of their last five against Freo in Perth and seven of the past nine overall.
Carlton will no doubt be intent on righting the wrongs of the underwhelming 1-5 beginning to the campaign.
But the Dockers are genuine contenders in 2026, we think, and really should be saluting at home in a competitive contest.
Prediction: Fremantle by 16 points.
Andrew Slevison
ST KILDA v WEST COAST
Sunday - 1:10pm AEST - Marvel Stadium
After a poor start to the season, Ross Lyon’s men have found themselves getting back on track. During their two-week stint in the City of Churches, the Saints came oh so close to beating both South Australian sides. But a narrow one-point loss to the Crows last Saturday saw them break even instead. With their first clash at Marvel for the month, St Kilda will be hopeful of winning their first home match for the year.
Following back-to-back wins against Port Adelaide and North Melbourne, which saw them sit as high as ninth, the Eagles have been brought back to reality throughout April. Having played three final contenders in Sydney, Geelong and their local rivals in Fremantle, they have quickly dropped back to 15th with a percentage only worse than Richmond. But with St Kilda being the only side they’ve beaten in the last 365 days, they’ll be confident they can pull off another upset.
While both teams have a 2-4 record, St Kilda are the overwhelming favourite in this clash. But after handing the Eagles their only win in 2025, the Saints will not be taking this game lightly. But with West Coast’s defence being as leaky as it has been, it's hard to see them limiting the Saints to a score low enough they can beat. St Kilda should win this in a comfortable fashion.
Prediction: St Kilda by 41 points
Nicholas Quinlan
BRISBANE v ADELAIDE
Sunday - 3:15pm AEST - Gabba
This match shapes to be one with huge consequences for both the winner and loser. As it stands at the beginning of Round 7, this is a clash between 9th and 10th who are only separated by percentage and sit at a square 3-3 ledger.
Brisbane is coming off a shock 2-point loss to Melbourne at the MCG and will be looking for a major response. It’s never a good time to face a team that’s suffered a bad loss, and the Crows will have to be wary of the Lions who will want to make a statement on their home deck and remind the competition of their premiership credentials.
Adelaide scraped a win against the Saints by 1 point last week but have been less than convincing in their start to the season having finished as the minor premiers last year.
However, the two clashes that occurred last year were some all-time classics and Adelaide won both, including up at the Gabba in Opening Round last year where they pipped the Lions by 3 points. No doubt that Matthew Nicks will be drawing on that success last year to get his side to lift to an upset win on the road.
Winning this match will keep one side in touching distance to the top of the ladder but a loss will see the other side in trouble at 3-4 and with lots of work to do.
Prediction: Brisbane by 7 points.
Harry Cumming
GWS v NORTH MELBOURNE
Sunday - 4:40pm AEST - Manuka Oval
Not too long ago, many would have written off this clash as an easy win for the Giants. And that’s fair enough. The last four matches between the two sides have seen GWS win by comfortable margins.
However, this time is very different, and it offers an opportunity to get a clearer reading as to just how good this North Melbourne side is this year.
The Kangaroos have beaten Port Adelaide, Essendon, Carlton and Richmond who are all sides that haven’t been at the peak of their powers, but the Giants are a tricky read and particularly since the match is in Canberra, Alistair Clarkson would be sensing an opportunity to further his side’s credentials. Young gun Finn O’Sullivan is available to return from a fractured jaw and will provide a great boost to an already firing midfield.
Meanwhile, the Giants find themselves languishing at 2-4 and have struggled with a tough fixture and injuries to key players but the cavalry returns this week with Stephen Coniglio, Aaron Cadman and Brent Daniels all available. It’s a big boost for Adam Kingsley’s side who were competitive for much of the game against the Swans last week.
The hype around the Kangaroos is growing by the week with young superstars such as Cooper Trembath taking the competition by storm but beware the wounded Giants who aren’t as bad as people are suggesting.
Prediction: North Melbourne by 11 points.
Harry Cumming
