Round 8 of the 2026 AFLW season kicks off on Thursday night with a crucial clash between the Blues and the Hawks, followed by a standalone Friday night fixture between the Tigers and the Cats. The schedule then ramps up across a massive weekend slate headlined by three fierce local rivalries: the QClash, the Showdown, and the Western Derby.
We bring you our best bets for all nine AFLW Round 8 matches below and if you’re keen to follow our tips, then consider joining Dabble!
2026 AFLW Round 8 Betting Tips
Carlton vs Hawthorn
Thursday 7:15pm AEST, IKON Park, Melbourne
Thursday night football heads to Ikon Park for a crucial start to Round 8, with Carlton looking to capitalise on a stumbling Hawthorn outfit. The Blues are travelling beautifully under Mathew Buck and hold a serious psychological edge over the visitors, having ended the Hawks' 2025 campaign at this venue with a dominant 46-point semi-final thrashing.
Daniel Webster's side slipped to a 4-3 record following a heavy 36-point loss to Geelong last week. It was a remarkably flat showing from Hawthorn, coming just one week after they produced a stunning upset to snap North Melbourne's historic 32-game winning streak. While the Hawks will be desperate to respond and celebrate Jasmine Fleming's 50th game, Ikon Park is a venue where they historically struggle. Carlton boasts too much midfield depth and structural discipline for a side battling consistency. Expect the Blues to dictate the tempo and cover the handicap.
Carlton -6.5
$1.87 (1.5 Units)
Richmond vs Geelong
Friday 7:15pm AEST, IKON Park, Melbourne
Friday night football under the lights at Ikon Park sees Richmond seeking an immediate response against a high flying Geelong outfit. The Tigers had built serious momentum with three wins in four weeks under new coach Jarrad Donders, but they were handed a brutal 55 point reality check by Carlton last round. Finding a way to bounce back gets no easier against a purring Cats machine.
Geelong looks genuinely brilliant right now. Revitalised under Mick Stinear, the Cats dismantled Hawthorn 82 to 46 last week, showcasing a slick, fast paced brand of ball movement that is incredibly difficult to defend. While the visitors will rightly start as heavy favourites, the Tigers have shown enough grit this season to suggest last week was a blip rather than the norm. If Richmond can turn this into a contested scrap and slow down the pace, they possess the structure to avoid another blowout and cover a very generous handicap
Richmond -27.5
$1.86 (1.5 Units)
GWS vs Essendon
Saturday 1:05pm AEST, Henson Park, Sydney
Saturday afternoon AFLW action heads to Henson Park as the Greater Western Sydney Giants host the Essendon Bombers. Both sides sit near the foot of the ladder and desperately need a positive result. The Giants arrive following a frustrating nine-point loss to Collingwood, where they struggled to convert inside 50s into meaningful scoreboard pressure.
However, GWS receives a massive boost this week with the return of two-time club champion Zarlie Goldsworthy. Playing her first game of the 2026 season after recovering from a lower leg fracture, the star midfielder adds vital class and firepower to the lineup. Essendon travels to Sydney sitting 17th after a 10-point home defeat to West Coast and continues to struggle against dynamic ball movement. Bolstered by Goldsworthy's elite talent, the hosts possess the necessary midfield edge to dictate the stoppages and cover the small handicap.
GWS -4.5
$1.90 (2.5 Units)
Western Bulldogs vs St Kilda
Saturday 3:05pm AEST, Mars Stadium, Ballarat
Saturday afternoon AFLW action heads to Ballarat as the Western Bulldogs host St Kilda at the redeveloped Mars Stadium. The Bulldogs return to their regional base full of confidence under senior coach Tam Hyett, seeking a third consecutive victory. They receive a significant boost this week with star ruck Alice Edmonds returning from injury. Edmonds provides vital stoppage dominance for a squad already playing with excellent structure.
St Kilda continues to navigate a challenging 2026 campaign. Nick Dal Santo's team has struggled against swift ball movement, conceding high scores all season. The Saints are finding it difficult to trap the ball inside their forward arc to generate consistent scoring opportunities. With Edmonds feeding a confident midfield, the hosts hold a clear advantage. Expect the Bulldogs to control the territory battle, apply sustained pressure, and comfortably cover the handicap.
Western Bulldogs -24.5
$1.90 (1 Unit)
Brisbane vs Gold Coast
Saturday 5:05pm AEST, Brighton Homes Arena, Ipswich
Saturday evening delivers a crucial QClash at Brighton Homes Arena as the Brisbane Lions host the Gold Coast Suns. The Lions find themselves in unfamiliar territory under coach Craig Starcevich. Sitting at 2-5, their finals hopes are quickly slipping away. While they regain midfielder Lily Postlethwaite from a hamstring injury, they must navigate a local rival playing with significant momentum.
In stark contrast, the Suns arrive in fifth place with an impressive 5-2 record. Rhyce Shaw has his squad playing structured, winning football, yet they still face a historical QClash hoodoo against their Queensland neighbours. However, given the Lions' recent struggles, this represents Gold Coast's greatest opportunity to secure a breakthrough derby victory. The market continues to heavily favour Brisbane based on past dominance, leaving excellent value on the visitors. Back the in-form Suns to capitalise on a wounded opponent.
Gold Coast Suns to Win
$2.78 (1.5 Units)
Port Adelaide vs Adelaide
Saturday 7:15pm AEST, Alberton Oval, Adelaide
Anticipation is high for Showdown V this Saturday night at Alberton Oval. Port Adelaide enters the derby having secured two victories in a transitional 2026 campaign. The Power showed promising signs with a strong second half against the Western Bulldogs last week, but stringing four quarters together against a seasoned opponent remains a serious challenge.
Looking to rebound from a disappointing 60 to 35 home defeat against Fremantle, Adelaide makes the short trip with a major point to prove. The Crows will demand an immediate response from a squad that prides itself on contested discipline. Despite last week's unexpected slip, Adelaide retains superior clearance depth and structural organisation. Expect the visitors to control the stoppages, restrict Port Adelaide's transition, and cover the handicap.
Adelaide -10.5
$1.90 (1 Unit)
North Melbourne vs Sydney
Sunday 1:05pm AEDT, Arden Street Oval, Melbourne
Arden Street Oval hosts a blockbuster Sunday afternoon fixture as North Melbourne welcomes the high-flying Sydney Swans. The Kangaroos enter this clash riding high after a character-filled comeback win over Melbourne, continuing to showcase the elite defensive resilience that defines their status as the competition's benchmark. Adding extra emotion to the afternoon, legendary defender Emma Kearney runs out for her milestone 100th game.
Darren Crocker's side will need every bit of that resolve against a rapidly improving Sydney outfit that has turned heads all season. While the Swans bring fierce belief and formidable form into enemy territory, taking down the Roos on their home turf remains the toughest assignment in the league. Expect a high-pressure arm-wrestle where North Melbourne's finals-hardened experience eventually breaks the game open. Back the hosts to get the job done within a 1-39 margin.
North Melbourne 1-39
$1.60 (1.5 Units)
Collingwood vs Melbourne
Sunday 3:05pm AEDT, Victoria Park, Melbourne
Victoria Park gets ready to host a fascinating Sunday afternoon battle as Collingwood squares off against Melbourne for Round 8. The Magpies return to their spiritual home looking to build momentum, having broken through for their maiden win of the 2026 campaign last week with a gritty victory over GWS.
Tom Wilson’s Demons head across town with a point to prove after suffering a defeat to North Melbourne last round. While losing inspirational skipper Kate Hore to a disc injury is a significant blow, Melbourne boasts the overarching list depth and structural class to absorb her absence. Coupled with their potent scoreboard capabilities, the visitors possess the necessary fire-power to bounce straight back in style. Expect the Demons to assert control after halftime and comfortably cover the line.
Melbourne -36.5
$1.90 (1 Unit)
West Coast vs Fremantle
Sunday 5:05pm AEDT, Sullivan Logistics Stadium, Perth
Sullivan Logistics Stadium prepares for a cracking Western Derby this Sunday afternoon as West Coast clashes with Fremantle. Daisy Pearce’s Eagles enter enemy territory riding a wave of confidence, having dramatically turned their season around with three consecutive victories following a sluggish 0-4 start.
Sitting in eighth spot with a 4-3 record, the Dockers look well-positioned for a finals tilt and hold a steady edge over their cross-town rivals this year. While the surging hosts have discovered a potent brand of cleaner ball movement, Fremantle's balanced squad gives them a dependable edge across four quarters. Expect a fiery, high-stakes contest where the Eagles push hard, but the visitors do enough to secure the points and cover the line.
Fremantle -4.5
$1.90 (2 Units)
