We’re at the pointy end of the AFLW, with the finals race well and truly heating up. There’s plenty of games this weekend with implications on the top eight, in what is set for a huge weekend of football.
Jack Tobin has you covered with his tips for AFLW Round 8, and be sure to check out our AFL Tips page for our AFLW previews each week.
AFLW Round 8 Betting Tips
Carlton vs Richmond
Friday 6:30pm AEDT, Ikon Park
Round 8 kicks off with a massive clash at Ikon Park on Friday night, with Carlton hosting the Tigers. Richmond are sitting a game inside the top eight in sixth position, and the Blues are a game outside the top eight in tenth. Carlton kept their finals hopes alive with an outstanding performance in a 27 point win against the Saints last week, leading from start to finish.
Breann Moody was utterly dominant in the ruck against St Kilda, and if the Blues are to win this week, they’re going to need another big performance from their star ruck. Richmond are on a five game winning streak led by their midfield, who are +34 in contested possessions across their last five games.
The Tigers just keep finding a way to get the job done, and they’ve been excellent in close games this season. They’ve stood up in plenty of high pressure games this season, with four of their five wins coming by under 20 points, and that will hold them in good stead when the heat is on against the Blues.
Richmond -10.5
$1.90 (1.5 Units)
Brisbane vs Adelaide
Friday 8:30pm AEDT, Metricon Stadium
The second fixture on Friday night is an absolute blockbuster, with a top of the table clash taking place on the Gold Coast. Brisbane and Adelaide are both 6-1 this season, with massive percentages of 259 and 233 respectively. The last two premiers once again forces to be reckoned with, and this is set to be one of the best games of the season.
Highlighting the excellence of these clubs is their balance at both ends of the ground. Brisbane are the highest scoring team in the competition averaging 53 points per game and are the fifth ranked defence, conceding just 20 points per game this season. The Crows are the third most prolific attacking side (46 points per game) and the second best defence in the league (19 points against).
This is going to be an epic clash, the reigning premiers on a six game winning streak against the premiership favourites in Brisbane. The Lions defence was the difference in their gritty win over North Melbourne, and their ability to stand up with their backs against the wall will have them full of confidence coming into this week. Brisbane have barely put a foot wrong this season, and conditions at Metricon Stadium will suit them perfectly.
Brisbane -8.5
$1.90 (1.5 Units)
Gold Coast vs Melbourne
Saturday 7:40pm AEDT, Metricon Stadium
Saturday night football sees a top eight clash at Metricon Stadium as Melbourne travel north to take on the Suns. Both sides are coming off convincing wins in Round 7, with the Demons triumphing by 64 points and the Suns winning by 34 points over the Swans. Gold Coast needs to win to stay in the top eight, and Melbourne needs to win to remain in the race for the minor premiership.
The gap in scoring power is the major difference between these two sides. The Suns are averaging 32 points per game this season in comparison to Melbourne’s 47. Gold Coast’s attacking game goes down significantly against the better teams in the competition, averaging just 14 points per game against top eight opponents this year.
Melbourne are 2-0 against the Suns, and are in some serious form having won their last three games by an average margin of 45 points. With the likes of Tayla Harris, Alyssa Bannan, Kate Hore and Eden Zanker, the Demons have far too many attacking threats for Gold Coast to contain.
More AFLW Round 8 Tips
Port Adelaide vs North Melbourne - Alberton Oval, Saturday 1:10pm AEDT
Port Adelaide kick off Saturday football when they host the Kangaroos at Alberton, with the Roos coming in as red hot favourites. North nearly knocked off the ladder leading Brisbane last week, with inaccuracy costing them an upset victory. The Kangaroos will be far too strong for the Power who are 1-6 after their loss to fellow expansion side Hawthorn.
Tip: North Melbourne -31.5, $1.90 with Ladbrokes
Essendon vs Sydney - Ikon Park, Saturday 3:10pm AEDT
Another tight loss last week for Essendon leaves their finals aspirations all but over, however they’ll enjoy coming up against last placed Sydney. The Swans are 0-7 with an average losing margin of 40 points, and the Bombers will take care of buisness comfortably.
Tip: Essendon -31.5, $1.90 with Ladbrokes
Geelong vs West Coast - Ikon Park, Saturday 5:40pm AEDT
Three wins in a row sees Geelong two games inside the top eight, and sitting nicely in 5th place. West Coast come into this clash with three consecutive losses, and haven’t beaten a side above 15th on the ladder. The Cats offensive game has continued to improve as the season has gone on, and the four goal line shouldn’t give them too many issues against an Eagles outfit that has struggled this season.
Tip: Geelong -23.5, $1.90 with Ladbrokes
Western Bulldogs vs St Kilda - Mars Stadium, Sunday 1:10pm AEDT
Two sides coming off disappointing losses in Round 7, will be looking to bounce back in Ballarat on Sunday. The Saints’ 27 point loss against Carlton provided a stark reminder of where they’re at in their development. The Bulldogs have fallen out of the top eight on percentage, and will be looking for a big win to get themselves back inside the top eight heading into the last two weeks of the season.
Tip: Western Bulldogs -19.5, $1.90 with Ladbrokes
GWS vs Hawthorn - Henson Park, Sunday 3:10pm AEDT
The Hawks have remarkably peeled off three straight wins after starting the season 0-4, and will be looking to cause another upset in Sydney this weekend. The Giants have shown glimpses of improvement this season, and this will be a tight encounter. GWS’ experienced bodies will give them a slight edge over an improved Hawks side.
Tip: GWS -4.5, $1.90 with Ladbrokes
Fremantle vs Collingwood - Fremantle Oval, Sunday 5:10pm AEDT
Round 8 concludes with Collingwood looking to keep themselves entrenched in the top four, when they take on Fremantle. With Brisbane and Adelaide playing against each other this week, a Collingwood win would almost certainly see the Pies move into third on the ladder. Collingwood have won three in a row and won’t have any issues beating a Fremantle side that is 1-1-5 with an average losing margin of 25 points.
Tip: Collingwood -7.5, $1.90 with Ladbrokes
