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Who will win and why? Tips and predictions for AFL Round 8
SEN • May 1st, 2025 1:44 pm
Round 8 kicks off on Thursday night with Essendon and North Melbourne clashing at Marvel Stadium.
St Kilda hosts Fremantle in the second Marvel night fixture of the weekend on Friday before a stacked Saturday highlighted by Collingwood v Geelong at the MCG.
Sunday sees the Sydney Derby between the Swans and GWS at the SCG and the Q-Clash between Brisbane and Gold Coast to wrap things up.
Check out our tips and predictions for each game below.
Essendon v North Melbourne
Thursday - 7:30pm AEST - Marvel Stadium
Through six games in 2025, the Bombers have shown signs of a strong, developing list. Two solid wins against Port Adelaide and Melbourne were enough to suggest that Essendon have what it takes to perform at the top level, however a horror scare against the Eagles and a 41-point Anzac Day defeat to the Pies left a lot to be desired.
With growing confidence in youngsters Nate Caddy and Zach Reid, and the continued stardom of captain Zach Merrett, the Bombers will continue to prove a challenging fixture across the course of the season.
While their 1-6 record might ring alarm bells, North Melbourne can still salvage plenty from their season. With ongoing questions of coach Alastair Clarkson’s ability to steer the young list in the right direction, the Kangaroos put on a well-fought contest over Anzac Day weekend. Falling by just nine points to Port Adelaide, North’s 11-goal-to-seven run in the final three quarters was a strong sign of the side’s capability to compete. With Paul Curtis to miss, the Roos will need their forwards to step up in his absence.
A bottom-end clash in a prime-time slot, both the Roos and the Bombers have a great deal to play for. North Melbourne will view this contest as a very winnable game, particularly after the Bombers barely squeezed by the winless Eagles. Curtis’ absence will certainly hurt, however there is no denying that their solid performance against the Power will build confidence. Essendon’s Anzac Day loss will hurt given their advantage in the third term, but a strong contest against the competition’s top team, and with a young core finding their stride, they should claim this result.
Prediction: Essendon by 14 points.
Jaiden Sciberras
St Kilda v Fremantle
Friday - 7:40pm AEST - Marvel Stadium
Yet another poor display last week, albeit against the reigning premiers, makes it three losses in a row for St Kilda. However, the Saints have found themselves up against sides that finished second to sixth on last year’s ladder as well as having three matches in South Australia.
They now have three of their next four in Victoria against sides that finished around them so these next few weeks will be telling for where they stand. Another dismal outing on Friday night would make for an interesting post-match, but an improved display is expected.
After starting the season with two losses, the Dockers have won four of their next five games. Add to this the addition of Luke Jackson playing alongside Sean Darcy for the first time on Friday and it poses a big threat to a low-on-confidence St Kilda.
Justin Longmuir seems to have his side back on track after a mishap against Melbourne but a trip to Marvel Stadium for one of two games this year could aid the Saints chances.
There are two St Kilda’s we’ve seen this year; one that is capable of stopping the likes of Geelong, and one that looks lifeless and disorganised. After three weeks of the latter I think we are due for a response, particularly with the return of fiery Ross Lyon in the build-up.
In front of the eyes of the footy world on a Friday night, it’s a chance for both of these teams to prove their game styles can be attractive viewing. A close one under the lid would deliver the goods.
Prickly Ross is back and he will be intent on a strong showing against hid old club.
Prediction: St Kilda by 3 points.
Ethan Clark
Western Bulldogs v Port Adelaide
Saturday - 1:20pm AEST - Mars Stadium
Despite all the challenges the team has faced from a personnel viewpoint, Luke Beveridge has the Doggies absolutely humming.
They went to Canberra last week and dismantled one of the league’s best defensive outfits, becoming the first team this season to put 100-plus points on the Giants. They did it without Sam Darcy, leaning on their small-to-medium forwards in James Harmes (four goals) and Rhylee West (three goals). Captain Marcus Bontempelli has hit the ground running after injury and Joel Freijah is a rapidly-rising star.
Port Adelaide’s early-season renaissance continued in Round 7, getting the business done by nine points over North Melbourne. It was a fiery affair which largely centred around the Roos’ former No.1 pick Jason Horne-Francis. ‘JHF’ overcame the close checking of his old colleagues to help guide the Power to a third win in a row. Zak Butters has been dominant in his four games back from a knee injury and with captain Connor Rozee starring at half-back, things are looking good for Ken Hinkley and Josh Carr.
The Dogs are in great shape right now and seem to be in absolute control of their game. But the Power aren’t too far behind. They are two of the form teams of the competition with the winner looking to establish themselves in the top eight. Port have won the past four matchups including the two meetings in Ballarat (2017 and 2018), while the Dogs have won four of their past five at MARS Stadium overall. It’s a toss of the coin, but Bevo’s Bulldogs seem to have a few more gears.
Prediction: Western Bulldogs by 10 points.
Andrew Slevison
Adelaide v Carlton
Saturday - 4:15pm AEST - Adelaide Oval
Who can you trust? That’s the big question leading into this game.
Both sides are capable of blistering footy at their best but can lose to just about anyone on an off day.
Looking at recent form, the Blues absolutely get the nod with three wins in their last three games, while the Crows are 1-3 over the last month after starting the season hot.
If this game was played a few weeks ago, you’d expect the Crows – who have the league’s best offence – to blow Carlton out of the water as they couldn’t put a winning score on the board.
That’s changed in recent weeks with the Blues averaging 122 points per game in their last three. However, two of those games came against the Eagles and Kangaroos.
If Carlton can keep that scoring momentum up, then they have every chance of keeping up with the Crows. If they fall off though, Adelaide’s forward line still probably scores north of 85 points, even on an off day.
If this game was in Melbourne, Carlton would be the tip. But since it’s in Adelaide, the Crows come in as deserved favourites.
Prediction: Adelaide by 18 points.
Lachlan Geleit
Collingwood v Geelong
Saturday - 7:35pm AEST - MCG
Can Geelong stop the Collingwood train?
While other contenders have failed against the Magpies this year, Cats coach Chris Scott will no doubt throw something different at them from a gameplan perspective.
In their six straight wins, the Magpies have strangled teams defensively out wide while scoring freely through the corridor. If the Cats can get through that zone and take away some of their opposition’s attacking threat, they’ve got enough inside their forward line to get the job done.
One area which will obviously be crucial is the midfield, an area where Geelong fell short against Carlton.
With the way Nick Daicos and Steele Sidebottom are playing, the Cats will need to slow some of their influence and Tom Atkins will probably be the man to go to the Brownlow Medal favourite.
Simply put, if the Pies keep on chugging along, they win. But if the Cats get on top on ball and feed the likes of Jeremy Cameron, Patrick Dangerfield and Tyson Stengle enough, this will quickly turn into a 50-50 game.
Still, it’s hard to pick against Craig McRae’s side at the moment, particularly at the MCG.
Prediction: Collingwood by 21 points.
Lachlan Geleit
West Coast v Melbourne
Saturday - 7:35pm AEST - Optus Stadium
Now hear us out on this one.
Although they come in to this game winless, the Eagles OFFENSIVELY have started to show better signs in the most recent weeks.
Three times this season they’ve scored 75 points, with two of those coming in the last two weeks. And apart from the 50 point defeat to the Hawks last week, they’ve had more moments recently that show signs of a team that is getting closer to getting that first win of the year.
Getting within two points of the Bombers, who have won three of their past four matches just quietly, is much better then what both Port Adelaide AND Melbourne were able to achieve when they had to play them during the past month.
So that should mean something, right?
If that doesn’t, then this should definitely convince you to rethink your tip.
The last time the Demons had to play the Eagles in Perth was last season in Round 10, where West Coast won comfortably to the tune of 35 points. A game in which Melbourne came in with a record of 6-3…
And to make matters worse for the Dees, the Eagles have been the Round 8 masters since the year 2000, winning 18 of the past 25 matches in that round.
You’ve got to give credit to Melbourne though however. Two wins from their past two games and things do start to look like they’re beginning to click for the 2021 premiers.
However, all good things must come to an end. And despite the win streak being small, we can’t quickly forget that this side is still trying to evolve into something different.
There will be plenty of highs and lows for this Melbourne side this year. And whether they like it or not, their recent high will take a pause this week as the footy gods find a way to give the Eagles (and Andrew McQualter) their first win of the season.
Prediction: West Coast by 5 points.
Zac Sharpe
Sydney v GWS
Sunday - 1:10pm AEST - SCG
Sunday’s Sydney Derby sees two sides entering with plenty to prove.
The Swans have failed to defend their minor premiership, winning just two of their first seven games in 2025.
While injuries have certainly crippled the club, performances have left a lot to be desired under Dean Cox, with a clear inability to put points on the board.
Currently fifth from bottom in total scores for the season in the absence of front-half talent Tom Papley, Logan McDonald and Joel Amartey, the Swans have managed over 100 points just once thus far.
After blowing a 29-point advantage to the Suns, Sydney needs to perform to get their season back on track.
While the Giants were a suspected premiership threat entering this season, they have fallen in all but one of their major challenges since Opening Round.
A strong win against Collingwood saw them in good stead, however losses to Hawthorn, Adelaide and the Bulldogs has raised a number of questions as to where the Giants might reside come season’s end.
This edition of the Derby presents as an opportunity for either side to return to form. The Swans, despite their numerous injuries, certainly have the talent to compete with the competition’s best, as seen for the better part of their clash with Gold Coast.
In saying that, a relatively full GWS side, off the back of a disappointing loss, will most certainly bounce back.
With a top defensive unit, the Giants have all the tools necessary to control the Swans’ scoring issues. Partnered with a full-strength forward line, this contest has all the makings of a comfortable win.
Prediction: GWS by 27 points.
Jaiden Sciberras
Hawthorn v Richmond
Sunday - 3:20pm AEST - MCG
Hawthorn’s Centenary celebrations take place against Richmond at the MCG on Sunday.
The two clubs clashed in the Hawks’ very first VFL game back in 1925 at Glenferrie Oval with the Tigers saluting by 39 points.
On face value, you wouldn’t expect a similar result this weekend given the Hawks are a serious side and the Tigers are rebuilding.
Sam Mitchell’s Hawks returned to winning ways with a 50-point smashing of West Coast last Sunday night, recoiling after two straight defeats.
Ruckman Lloyd Meek was imperious, off-season recruit Josh Battle played his best game in brown and gold to date and veteran forward Jack Gunston keeps on keeping on, booting another four goals to take his season tally to 17.
The Tigers were competitive for three quarters against Melbourne but were blown away in the third term, which has been a bit of a trend in 2025. They’d want to stay competitive for longer against a side like the Hawks.
As mentioned earlier, this on paper appears somewhat one-sided but Adem Yze’s Tigers have already surprised Carlton and Gold Cast this season, so never say never.
The Hawks faithful helped the Tigers achieve an enormous crowd of 92,311 for Dusty’s 300th in June last year, so it would be nice to see the Tiger Army repay the faith for Hawthorn’s big day.
You’d expect that Richmond will at times make life difficult for the Hawks, but in the end the class of the top-four chasers should come out on top to tick their sixth win of the season.
Prediction: Hawthorn by 35 points.
Andrew Slevison
Brisbane v Gold Coast
Sunday - 7:20pm AEST - Gabba
The Q-Clash is back, and for once, it’s more than just bragging rights on the line.
Both Brisbane and Gold Coast are in strong early-season form, each sitting with just one loss, and this matchup seems like an amazing game to close out the round.
While the Suns have surprised many with a 5-1 start, questions remain over the quality of their opposition. Four of their five wins have come against teams currently sitting 14th or lower, and their narrow win over Adelaide came with controversy — a missed free kick to Izak Rankine that could’ve flipped the result.
Their loss against a struggling Richmond is also unforgivable, and it’s fair to ask just how real Gold Coast’s form is.
The Lions, by contrast, have already defeated two current top-eight sides and their only defeat came against the ladder-leading Pies. They’ve also owned the Q-Clash in recent history, winning 10 of the last 11 encounters.
If recent history is anything to go by, the Lions should black out the Suns here.
Still, Brisbane haven’t been without flaws. They’ve only led at half-time in two of their seven matches, something that Gold Coast will need to exploit early if they’re to cause an upset.
Key defender Jack Payne could return to bolster the Lions’ backline after being a late-out last week due to illness, while the focus will be on Kai Lohmann’s fitness following a shoulder concern.
The Suns, meanwhile, look set to roll in unchanged after a commanding win over Sydney last week and a near full-strength squad.
Gold Coast look like a genuine top-eight contender, but this is their first real test against elite opposition.
At the home of the Lions, expect Brisbane to fraud-check the Suns here.
Prediction: Brisbane by 21 points.
Connor Scanlon
