The Gather Round of Aussie Rules Football (AFL) is here! Last week, we went 4-1 on the picks with 3-1 ATS and 1-0 on Moneyline dogs. That’s a great start to the season. Four weeks in, there is only one remaining undefeated team – the Western Bulldogs. Meanwhile, Richmond and Essendon are still looking for their first win. Let’s take a look at the top Gather Round best bets and picks for the 2026 AFL season!
If you’re wondering if you need an offshore book to bet on Aussie Rules Football, you don’t! You can get lines right at DraftKings and FanDuel. This isn’t rugby for those unfamiliar with the odd-shaped football, bigger-sized football, lack of pads, and massive field. For a complete breakdown of Aussie Rules football, check out this page.
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2026 AFL Gather Round Best Bets, Picks, and Predictions
Collingwood Magpies vs Fremantle Dockers (-13.5)
When: Friday, 4/10/26 at 5:40 AM Eastern
Fremantle have been one of the more consistent sides early in the season at 3-1 and 4th on the ladder. They’ve traveled well and won with a mix of midfield dominance and forward pressure. Playing at Adelaide Oval actually suits their grinding, stoppage-heavy style better than the MCG would.
Caleb Serong (27.5 disposals per game and one of the league’s highest-rated players) anchors the engine room alongside Shai Bolton (25.5 disposals per game) and Andrew Brayshaw (24.75 disposals per game). Meanwhile, Josh Treacy continues to threaten up forward.
Meanwhile. 11th-ranked Collingwood has shown glimpses, but they are still finding rhythm and sitting at 2-2. Even with superstar Nick Daicos (36.67 disposals per game across his three games) and brother Josh Daicos (30.5 disposals per game) running riot, they haven’t been as successful as they’d hoped. Expect the Dockers to control the stoppages and grind out a convincing win.
AFL Gather Round picks for this match: Fremantle Dockers (-13.5)
North Melbourne Kangaroos vs Brisbane Lions (-39.5)
When: Friday, 4/10/26 at 10:35 PM Eastern
North Melbourne have been a pleasant early-season surprise at 3-1. However, all eyes will look to see how they fair on this neutral-venue game in SA. It feels like a step up in class against a far more experienced Brisbane outfit. The smaller Barossa Park surface should favour the Lions’ big-bodied midfield, which has been winning the contested ball all year. Their only convincing victory so far was over Port Adelaide. Otherwise, they’ve beaten teams in the bottom three spots in the league.
Will Ashcroft (29.5 disposals per game), Dayne Zorko (29.25 disposals per game), and Lachie Neale (28.75 disposals per game) give Brisbane elite depth through the middle. Forwards like Kai Lohmann and Logan Morris provide the finishing.
North Melbourne relies on gun young gun Harry Sheezel (32 disposals per game) and league-leading goalkicker Nick Larkey (14 goals for the season). However, Brisbane’s battle-hardened unit should pull away after quarter time and cover a handy margin on DraftKings. This is tough due to the large spread. However, I think Brisbane is a far better team.
AFL Gather Round picks for this match: Brisbane Lions (-39.5)
Essendon Bombers vs Melbourne Demons (-26.5)
When: Friday, 4/10/26 at 11:15 PM Eastern
Essendon remains winless at 0-4 and has been outclassed in most matches so far, and their injuries are mounting. Melbourne is sitting at 3-1 and has superior depth, experience, and ball movement. They should thrive on the wide Adelaide Oval surface.
Max Gawn (22.5 disposals per game) dominates the stoppages, while Kysaiah Pickett (23.25 disposals per game) and the midfield provide the spark.
Essendon’s best is led by Zach Merrett (24.25 disposals per game) and young Archie Roberts (27 disposals per game). However, the Bombers’ current injury concerns and lack of confidence make this one a tough matchup for them. This has the makings of a one-sided affair if Melbourne brings their A-game.
AFL Gather Round picks for this match: Melbourne Demons (-26.5)
Gold Coast Suns vs. Sydney Swans (-3.5)
When: Saturday, 4/11/26 at 2:15 AM Eastern
This is easily one of the marquee matchups of Gather Round, and one that I’m most looking forward to. It features two top-four sides, Sydney 2nd at 3-1 and Gold Coast 3rd at 3-1, going at it on the smaller, packed Norwood Oval surface. Both teams have been elite early in 2026. However, the Swans have a slight edge for me because of their scoring firepower and the way their midfield has been dominating contested ball.
Sydney has been averaging nearly 120 points per game while conceding just 66. If you look across the league, those are ridiculous defensive numbers. Their midfield mix of Justin McInerney (25.5 disposals per game), Chad Warner (21.5 disposals), Callum Mills (23.5), and Isaac Heeney (20.7 across three games) gives them elite depth and run. Throw in Errol Gulden (23.5 in his two games) and Riley Bice (23.75), and you’ve got a group that can win the stoppages and then hurt you on the outside.
The Gold Coast Suns are also loaded with talent, and they’ve been one of the surprises of the year with some strong wins. This is thanks to a dynamic midfield led by Touk Miller (26.5 disposals per game), Noah Anderson (25.25), and Christian Petracca (25.7 in three games). The issue for the Suns is they’ve been a touch leaky defensively in patches, and Norwood’s intimate atmosphere. Combining that with Sydney’s edge could see the Swans pull away late.
The -3.5 line feels spot-on to me. Sydney has covered bigger margins at home/neutral venues when their mids click, and Gather Round crowds tend to lift the higher-percentage team. This isn’t a blowout spot, but I see Sydney winning by 10-20 points in a high-quality contest.
AFL Gather Round picks for this match: Sydney Swans -3.5
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