Round 8 Aussie Rules Football (AFL) is here! We went 2-2 last week in Round 7. That brings the season total to 7-6 as we look to continue to pile on wins. Hoping to start getting a bigger margin between the wins and losses, let’s take a look at the 2026 AFL Round 7 best bets and picks!
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, bigger-sized football, lack of pads, and massive field. For a complete breakdown of Aussie Rules football, check out this page.
If you’re still confused, just watch this video that playfully breaks it down for us.
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2026 AFL Round 8 Best Bets, Picks, and Predictions
Western Bulldogs vs. Fremantle Dockers (-18.5)
When: Friday, May 1 at 5:30 AM ET
Fremantle enters as one of the competition’s best teams. They’re 6-1 and second on the ladder. The Dockers are riding a strong winning streak built on elite defense and midfield dominance from Caleb Serong, Andrew Brayshaw, and Jaeger O’Meara. They’ve conceded low scores in recent weeks and excel at applying sustained pressure, which Marvel Stadium’s roofed, fast surface amplifies.
The Bulldogs are 4-3 and sitting just outside the top eight. Unfortunately for them, they are dealing with injuries and inconsistency. The Bulldogs have lost their last three, including a heavy defeat to Sydney. They struggle to move the ball effectively against top-tier pressure.
Freo should control clearances and transition, pulling away after quarter time in a low-scoring, defense-dominated contest where the Dogs’ attack is smothered.
AFL Round 8 picks for this match: Fremantle Dockers (-18.5)
Adelaide Crows vs. Port Adelaide Power
When: Friday, May 1 at 6:10 AM ET
The Crows are 3-4. They have solid home form at Adelaide Oval and should capitalize on crowd energy in this intense rivalry. Port Adelaide is also 3-4. They showed resilience with a Round 7 win over Geelong. However, they’ve been inconsistent away from home in Showdowns, often struggling with scoring efficiency against motivated hosts.
Adelaide’s edge in contested ball and forward structure should shine in a physical, stoppage-heavy game typical of these clashes. Expect a tight first half with plenty of behinds, but the Crows’ home advantage and recent momentum should help them edge ahead in the second half for a roughly two-goal victory.
AFL Round 7 picks for this match: Adelaide Crows -9.5 (but I also like Port Adelaide Power 1H +4.5)
Brisbane Lions (-46.5) vs. Essendon Bombers
When: Saturday, May 2 at 10:35 PM ET
Brisbane is 4-3, and they boast one of the most balanced attacks and excel in contested marking and outside run. These types of traits normally thrive under Marvel Stadium’s roof. The Lions have shown consistency against Victorian sides and can score in bursts.
Essendon, on the other hand, is 1-6 and near the bottom of the ladder. They’ve been vulnerable all season, particularly when their ruck and midfield are outworked, as seen in recent heavy losses. The Lions’ speed and depth should overwhelm Essendon’s patchy defense. This will allow Brisbane to dominate the entire match and secure a solid road win by quite a bit. 46.5 points is a lot of points.
The Brisbane Lions just beat Adelaide by 50, and I don’t think Essendon is better than them.
AFL Round 8 picks for this match: Brisbane (-46.5)
North Melbourne Kangaroos vs. Geelong Cats (-28.5)
When: Saturday, May 2 at 2:35 AM ET
The Geelong Cats are sitting at 4-3. They are formidable at GMHBA Stadium, where home support and their experienced core, players like Tom Atkins and Jeremy Cameron, allow them to control stoppages and wear down opponents.
North Melbourne is also 4-3 and has been more competitive this year than in the past. They have attacking flair, but expose vulnerabilities on the road against established Victorian clubs with better structure. The Cats should dictate the tempo, using their forward line effectively to pull clear in the final quarter of what starts as a competitive arm-wrestle.
However, I don’t think the Cats will pull ahead by too much. 28.5 points is an interesting line for two teams with the same record. Both of these clubs are coming off losses in Round 7 after notching victories in Round 6. That type of up-and-down inconsistency favors the dog.
AFL Round 8 picks for this match: North Melbourne Kats (+28.5)
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