Round 8 of the 2026 AFL Premiership Season gets underway this Thursday night with another huge daily fantasy contest on offer from Draftstars with over $60,000 in guaranteed prize money in their main daily fantasy tournament.
Hawthorn arrive as the hottest team in the competition, winners of six consecutive games including scalps against Sydney, Geelong and the Western Bulldogs, and are installed as 24.5-point favourites at the MCG. The Hawks welcome back James Sicily and Dylan Moore from suspension, two of their best players, while Jack Ginnivan continues his extraordinary form season. Collingwood have responded well after their early-season stumbles, going back-to-back against Carlton and Essendon, but face a significant step up in class here and will be severely undermanned by the managed absence of Scott Pendlebury who is rested on the five-day break. Darcy Moore returns from a hamstring strain for the Pies and Ned Long is also back, while Tim Membrey is out for the next month with a hamstring injury. Pendlebury's absence, coming off his 153-point ANZAC Medal performance, removes one of Collingwood's most reliable midfielders from this matchup and creates a significant gap in their engine room on an already difficult Thursday night.
Draftstars are offering a number of different contests to suit your style, some of these include:
AFL $60,000+ Magpies vs Hawks
AFL $5,000+ Magpies vs Hawks High Roller ($150 Entry)
AFL $3,000+ Magpies vs Hawks Mini ($2 Entry)
AFL $2,000+ Magpies vs Hawks Micro (50c Entry)
Also this season the AFL Star is back for 2026 with a massive $1 million prize pool! Win your way into the Final by winning a Golden Ticket in a range of qualifiers running every weekend!
If you're new to the Daily Fantasy Sports scene and want to join in on the fun, simply join Draftstars via this link!
AFL Daily Fantasy Lineup Tips: Round Eight – Collingwood vs Hawthorn
AFL Fantasy Round Eight - Thursday: Where to Attack?
The data for this slate throws up some very clear attacking angles — and they point overwhelmingly toward Hawthorn's back half as the primary target.
Collingwood have been giving up over 9 points above league average to the designated kicker position, the standout number on this slate, and a further 8 above average to wings and half backs. This makes Hawthorn's ball-moving defenders and designated kickers the most attractive plays on the slate and both Karl Amon and Jarman Impey fit that profile perfectly. Amon takes the majority of Hawthorn's kick-ins and Impey operates in a largely unaccountable wing/half-back role — both had 25 disposals the last time these teams met.
From Hawthorn's side, Collingwood's numbers are significantly more restrictive — the Pies have been suppressing opposition inside midfielders and giving up below average to key forwards and general forwards. The clearest angle against Collingwood is their ruck, where they have conceded a slight positive, and their general defence at +6 points compared to league average.
Game Script – Hawks backs, mix midfielders, Hawks fowards
AFL Fantasy Round Eight - Thursday: Our Value Fantasy Picks
Nick Watson ($9,180) is a value lock in any Hawthorn stack on Thursday night. He is averaging 16 disposals and 2.5 goals per game in 2026 and in a game where Hawthorn are expected to generate heavy inside 50 volume as 24.5-point favourites, his forward crumbing and goal-kicking output should be well supplied.
Angus Anderson ($9,160) has been quietly building a very solid 2026 season with scores of 67, 78 and 92 in his first three games for an 79-point average — remarkable consistency for a player at $9,160. He operates in Collingwood's midfield as an inside contested bull and with Pendlebury rested his CBA attendance and contested work rate should climb. The role elevation in Collingwood's engine room makes him an outstanding value play and his 92 point game shows the ceiling available. At under $9.2k he is the standout value play from the Collingwood side.
AFL Fantasy Round Eight - Thursday: Our Mid Price Fantasy Picks
Jarman Impey ($12,820) is the premier mid-price play on this slate and the stats back it up. He posted 105, 115 and 96 in his last three games for an average of 105 points in a wing/half-back role that generates disposals, intercept marks and metres gained — and Collingwood have been giving up over 8 points above average to wings and half backs. In a game where Hawthorn are expected to dominate and Impey operates in a largely unaccountable role with freedom to roam, his ceiling extends well beyond his already elite recent average. He had 25 disposals the last time these teams met. Lock and load.
Karl Amon ($12,510) is the second premium back play in this matchup and the designated kicker angle makes him as attractive as any player on the slate. He posted 119, 62 and 86 in his last three games and takes the majority of Hawthorn's kick-ins, an invaluable source of fantasy points in a game where Hawthorn are expected to score heavily and repeatedly. Collingwood have been giving up 9 points above average to the designated kicker and at $12,510 Amon should be looking for a ceiling score in this matchup.
AFL Fantasy Round Eight - Thursday: Our Premium Fantasy Picks
Jai Newcombe ($14,940) has been one of the most consistent fantasy performers in the competition this season, posting 103, 99 and 98 in his last three games for a 100-point average that has barely deviated across the last month. As Hawthorn's primary clearance midfielder and centre-bounce engine, his role in a 24.5-point favourites game should generate hitout-assisted clearances, contested possessions and in high volume.
Nick Daicos ($17,240) is the lock of this slate regardless of price. He has been the standout individual performer in the competition this season, posting 135, 128 and 96 in his last three games for an average of 120 points — and that 96 the outlier from a managed performance. In a game where Collingwood are missing Pendlebury, Daicos becomes the sole engine of their midfield and his contested ball and clearance work will need to be the highest it has been all season. The last time these teams met he had 26 disposals. Beware of tagging potential as coaches discuss their strategies closer to the game.
Suggested Draftstars Lineup for AFL Fantasy Round 8 Thursday
Weather Report for Thursday 30th April
MCG (Melbourne) — 15 degrees and clear
AFL Betting Markets Round 8 Thursday
Collingwood ($3.78) vs Hawthorn ($1.27)
Points: 177.5
Line: Hawthorn -24.5
Also, be sure to check out our full AFL Thursday Preview and Betting Tips. Our experts break down the game and highlight some key bets that you can follow!
