2026 Aussie Rules Football AFL Round 4
Round 4 of Aussie Rules Football (AFL) is here! It’s the first AFL picks and bets article of the 2026 season, and we’re starting to get a feel for how the teams are doing. Three weeks in, there are only two remaining undefeated teams – Gold Coast and the Western Bulldogs. Meanwhile, Richmond and Essendon are still looking for their first win. Let’s take a look at the top Round 4 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.
Check Out Other Articles From So, You Like Sports
2026 AFL Round 4 Best Bets, Picks, and Predictions
Brisbane Lions (-17.5) vs Collingwood Magpies
When: Thursday, 4/2/26 at 4:30 AM Eastern
Our first game on the 2026 AFL Round 4 picks should be a heated showdown. The Brisbane Lions, who have been a strong team in this league for years, have started slow. They’re currently 1-2, but bounced back nicely in Round 3 with a win over St. Kilda. They are a very strong team at home.
Will Ashcroft and Charlie Cameron are really starting to get going. Cameron has 8 goals this season already and is an elite threat. They’ll look to give a high performance at the Gabba. The over is in play in this matchup as well since both of these teams can put up points.
Collingwood’s brothers Nick and Josh Daicos certainly keep this team dangerous. The Magpies started 2-1 with nice wins over St. Kilda and the GWS Giants. However, I can’t fade this Lions team at home.
AFL Round 4 picks for this match: Brisbane Lions (-17.5)
North Melbourne Kangaroos vs Carlton Blues (-7.5)
When: Thursday, 4/3/26 at 12:15 AM Eastern
North Melbourne has been an early surprise to start the season. They’ve started 2-1, including a win over Essendon last week. Meanwhile, Carlton has looked pretty inconsistent and sits near the bottom at just 1-2. Their one win came over 0-3 Richmond, when they won by four.
This game takes place at Marvel Stadium, the ‘Roos home stadium. They’ll be led by Harry Sheezel, who is second in the league in disposals per game, and Nick Larkey, who has 12 goals this season. Don’t overthink this one. Favoring Carlton by 7.5 seems like an error by the books and one we can cash on. There’s a ton of value on North Melbourne at home.
AFL Round 4 picks for this match: North Melbourne Kangaroos (+7.5) + Sprinkle a little on the Moneyline (+120)
Adelaide Crows (-3.5) vs Fremantle Dockers
When: Thursday, 4/3/26 at 4:15 AM Eastern
This may be the best matchup in all of Round 4, even though Adelaide has not looked great so far. They’ve started 1-2 but have been competitive in each loss. First, they beat Collingwood, 93-79. They lost the next two matchups against the Bulldogs and Geelong by a combined total of just 14 points. This team is competitive and has just had some bad luck.
Now they take on Fremantle, who have had a couple of nice wins against Melbourne and Richmond. While the win over Melbourne was impressive in the win but it is hard to fade home teams. Adelaide has played very well at the Adelaide Oval historically. The travel factor could be key.
The Crows are powered by Josh Rachele, who has 31 disposals this year. They’ll be challenged by the Dockers and Josh Treacy, who has 10 goals this year, but the homefield advantage is what it will all come down to. This is another one I like the over in, taking over 178.50, since both of these teams can put up points.
AFL Round 4 picks for this match: Adelaide Crows (-3.5)
Geelong Cats vs Hawthorn Hawks (-9.5)
When: Monday, 4/6/26 at 1:15 AM Eastern
It may seem like I’m picking every home team in my 2026 AFL Round 4 picks. However, that changes with this matchup. The Hawthorne Hawks and Geelong Cats have both started out 2-1. This will be a nice Top-8 battle on the Monday following Easter.
Hawthorn has looked strong at the midfield as well as their forward pressure. However, Geelong has stayed competitive. The key players to keep an eye on will be the Hawks’ forward Jack Gunston, who has 13 goals so far. For the Cats, it’s Bailey Smith, who was named an All-Australian last year and is carrying that form right over into this year.
While I still think Hawthorn will win at home, I think this will be a competitive matchup between these two. I don’t expect any type of blowout, and I think the victory margin will stay under 10. Therefore, I have to take the dogs.
AFL Round 4 picks for this match: Geelong Cats (+9.5)
About The Author
