AFL Teams 2026: Round 8

Quick Links

Quick Links

Game 1: Collingwood vs Hawthorn |
Game 2: Western Bulldogs vs Fremantle |
Game 3: Adelaide Crows vs Port Adelaide |
Game 4: Essendon vs Brisbane Lions |
Game 5: West Coast Eagles vs Richmond |
Game 6: Geelong Cats vs North Melbourne |
Game 7: Carlton vs St Kilda |
Game 8: Sydney Swans vs Melbourne |
Game 9: Gold Coast Suns vs GWS Giants

Wednesday – Early news

Round 8 is here, and a quick reminder that a common feature this year is the Friday night double header – don’t get caught out. Early News: Superstar Isaac Heeney is set to return this week after missing with calf soreness. Josh Gibcus has suffered another setback and won’t be back anytime soon if you still have him sitting on your bench, while Josh Smillie has also been delayed with injury. The Dogs are taking a conservative approach with Tom Liberatore following concussion, and there’s a slight red flag on Marcus Bontempelli who is managing a knee niggle and has trained lightly this week. Dayne Zorko is a test to play, while Gryan Miers has been updated to 1-3 weeks with his knee injury. Jayden Short is expected to return after paternity leave, and Tim Taranto should be available after clearing HIA protocols. Tim English is also listed as a test. Not hugely DT relevant, but Aaron Naughton is remarkably a test after the scary incident last week.

Weather notes updated at Wed 2 Apr, 5:00pm AEST. Please check weather closer to game day.

Important times to remember

Thursday game teamsheets ~6:20pm AEDT Wednesday

Friday/Sat/Sun game teamsheets ~6:20pm AEDT Thursday

Sunday extended bench selection ~5:00pm AEDT Friday

GAME 1: Collingwood vs Hawthorn

Thursday April 30 – AEST: 7:30pm MCG, Melbourne ☀🌙

Notes: Clear conditions, ideal for football. After last week’s ANZAC heroics, Scott Pendlebury is being rested for the Pies. Jeremy Howe is also rested, which could be a small red flag for Dan Houston’s role in defence – potentially more kick-ins, but also a chance he plays a more lockdown role. James Sicily and Dylan Moore are back from suspension for the Hawks, while possible cashcow Jack Dalton is immediately omitted.

GAME 2: Western Bulldogs vs Fremantle

Friday May 1 – AEST: 7:30pm Marvel Stadium, Melbourne 🏢🌙

Notes: Indoor conditions, no weather impact.

GAME 3: Adelaide Crows vs Port Adelaide

Friday May 1 – AEST: 8:10pm Adelaide Oval, Adelaide ☁🌙

Notes: Partly cloudy conditions, no major impact expected.

GAME 4: Essendon vs Brisbane Lions

Saturday May 2 – AEST: 12:35pm Marvel Stadium, Melbourne 🏢

Notes: Indoor conditions, no weather impact despite showers forecast outside.

GAME 5: West Coast Eagles vs Richmond

Saturday May 2 – AEST: 4:15pm Optus Stadium, Perth ☁

Notes: Partly cloudy conditions, no major impact expected.

GAME 6: Geelong Cats vs North Melbourne

Saturday May 2 – AEST: 4:35pm GMHBA Stadium, Geelong 🌦🌫

Notes: Showers possible with strong winds, could impact marking and ball movement.

GAME 7: Carlton vs St Kilda

Saturday May 2 – AEST: 7:35pm Marvel Stadium, Melbourne 🏢🌙

Notes: Indoor conditions, no weather impact despite showers and wind forecast outside.

GAME 8: Sydney Swans vs Melbourne

Sunday May 3 – AEST: 3:15pm SCG, Sydney 🌦

Notes: Partly cloudy with a chance of showers, minor impact possible. Make sure you check Sunday extended selections at ~5pm on Friday.

GAME 9: Gold Coast Suns vs GWS Giants

Sunday May 3 – AEST: 7:20pm People First Stadium, Gold Coast 🌦🌙

Notes: Partly cloudy with showers possible, conditions may be slightly slippery. Make sure you check Sunday extended selections at ~5pm on Friday.

“`

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.