AFL Teams 2026: Round 4 (Early bye 3)

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Game 1: Lions vs Pies |
Game 2: Roos vs Blues |
Game 3: Crows vs Dockers |
Game 4: Tigers vs Power |
Game 5: Eagles vs Swans |
Game 6: Dees vs Suns |
Game 7: Bulldogs vs Bombers |
Game 8: Hawks vs Cats

Wednesday – Early news

Final early bye round with only Saints and GWS players missing. Also be aware there are two Friday games this week, and an Easter monday game so dont get caught out, you wont kow Monday teams until ~6:20pm on Sunday so dont take any big chances on trades. Todd Marshall will miss another week, while Mitch Zadow (Fwd $230k) is set to debut for Port Adelaide as a cashcow option to monitor, and Miles Bergman is listed as a test but is expected to play. Hugh McCluggage still isn’t back yet for Brisbane. Reilly O’Brien is set to return for the Crows this week, which is a massive red flag for those running with Lachlan McAndrew at R2. Nic Newman is in the frame to return for Carlton this week, while Cooper Lord remains out with illness. Trent Rivers is pushing to play again, which could impact Caleb Windsor, but we’ll need to confirm in Thursday teams. Jordan Dawson, Rory Laird, Matt Rowell and Isaac Heeney are all listed as tests this week. The big early news is Tristan Xerri being handed a 3-game suspension, which has major implications for ruck setups. Christian Petracca’s injury has been downgraded to “short term” (1-3 weeks), which could be enough to hold for some coaches. Eagles rookie Milan Murdock now has a 3-week timeframe on his injury, while teammate Dev Robertson will miss 1 week due to suspension.

Weather notes updated April 1, ~4:45pm AEDT. Please check closer to game time for more accurate conditions.

GAME 1: Brisbane Lions vs Collingwood

Thursday April 2 – AEDT: 7:30pm (Brisbane: 6:30pm) Gabba Brisbane 🌦🌡

Notes: ~24°C at bounce, partly cloudy with a medium chance of showers. Still no sign of Hugh McCluggage, who will be a popular fallen premium pick once he gets a couple of games under his belt. Those with Zane Zakostelsky will be disappointed he didn’t make the cut again. James Tunstill (Mid $288k) is an available cashcow, but more of a watchlist option with better downgrade targets around. Interestingly, Oscar Steene (Ruck/Fwd $250k), after an okay 52 last week, is named on the ball. He was given a rev up by his coach during the week, and some might look at him as a downgrade option given his handy ruck status – he could be useful at R3 later if needed, or as cover for the likes of Tristan Xerri.

GAME 2: North Melbourne vs Carlton

Friday April 3 – AEDT: 3:15pm Marvel Stadium, Melbourne Melbourne ☁

Notes: Cloudy. Medium chance of light showers, most likely in the morning. Tristan Xerri is suspended for 3 games, creating a major ruck impact, while Cooper Lord remains out.

Check Teams ~6:20pm Thurs

Check Teams ~6:20pm Thurs

GAME 3: Adelaide Crows vs Fremantle

Friday April 3 – AEDT: 7:15pm (Adelaide: 6:45pm) Adelaide Oval Adelaide ☁🌙

Notes: Partly cloudy with light winds, ideal night conditions for footy. (Two Friday games this round due to the Easter weekend scheduling.) Reilly O’Brien is set to return, which is a major red flag for Lachlan McAndrew.

Check Teams ~6:20pm Thurs

Check Teams ~6:20pm Thurs

GAME 4: Richmond vs Port Adelaide

Saturday April 4 – AEDT: 4:15pm MCG, Melbourne Melbourne ☀

Notes: Sunny. Nice weather. Todd Marshall remains out, while Mitch Zadow is set to debut as a cashcow option.

Check Teams ~6:20pm Thurs

Check Teams ~6:20pm Thurs

GAME 5: West Coast Eagles vs Sydney Swans

Saturday April 4 – AEDT: 7:35pm (Perth: 5:35pm) Optus Stadium Perth ☁

Notes: Partly cloudy. Slight chance of rain in the morning only. Milan Murdock is out (3 weeks) and Dev Robertson is suspended.

Check Teams ~6:20pm Thurs

Check Teams ~6:20pm Thurs

GAME 6: Melbourne vs Gold Coast Suns

Sunday April 5 – AEDT: 4:15pm (AEST: 3:15pm) MCG, Melbourne Melbourne ☀

Notes: Sunny with light winds. Make sure you check Sunday extended selections at ~5pm on Friday. Christian Petracca is now listed as short-term (1-3 weeks), while Trent Rivers is pushing to return which could impact Caleb Windsor.

Check Teams ~6:20pm Thurs

Check Teams ~6:20pm Thurs

GAME 7: Western Bulldogs vs Essendon

Sunday April 5 – AEDT: 8:20pm (AEST: 7:20pm) Marvel Stadium Melbourne 🏢🌙

Notes: Indoor conditions, no weather impact expected. Make sure you check Sunday extended selections at ~5pm on Friday.

Check Teams ~6:20pm Thurs

Check Teams ~6:20pm Thurs

GAME 8: Hawthorn vs Geelong Cats

Monday April 6 – AEDT: 4:15pm (AEST: 3:15pm) MCG, Melbourne Melbourne ☁

Notes: Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers. Note this is a Monday game, so teams won’t be confirmed until ~6:20pm on Sunday.

Check Teams ~6:20pm Sun

Check Teams ~6:20pm Sun

Shags

A windy cold day in 2015, I was bored, sick with the flu, and decided to start a blog about Teamsheets. I was immediately recruited by Warnie and somehow am now a DTTALK author. NOTE; Im Back in 2022! woooo Twitter @shagbags2023 ~REMEMBER: Friends don't let friends DT TEAMS become ghost ships.