The busy portion of the 2024 AFLW season has come to an end which means normality resumes for Round 8. Action will get underway on Thursday night with the Blues hosting the Bulldogs at IKON Park. As always, we bring you our preview and best bet for that match plus all other Round 8 fixtures for free below!
AFLW Round 8 Betting Tips
Carlton vs Western Bulldogs
Thursday 7:15pm AEDT, IKON Park
The Blues managed to pull off a massive upset win against the Dockers last weekend in what was arguably their best performance of the season. That win showed that the Blues are still prepared to give it their all despite being ruled out of finals.
All eyes will be on the Bulldogs gameplan this Thursday night after being absolutely rinsed by the media after last Friday night’s snooze fest against the Bombers. The Bulldogs continually flooded numbers back to avoid being scored against, but that resulted in them failing to kick a goal themselves. The Dogs have now failed to kick a goal for two weeks and have kicked a score under 10 points on four occasions this season.
The pressure will be on the Dogs to actually have a crack at attacking this weekend, and that should make for a far more enjoying watch for fans. Regardless if they do play more freely or not, the Blues should have their number in this matchup. Coming off a morale-boosting win against the Dockers, I fancy the Blues to win this by 10+ points.
Carlton -9.5
$1.91 (1.5 Units)
Port Adelaide vs St Kilda
Friday 7:45pm AEDT, Alberton Oval
Last Friday night’s fixture was a snooze fest although this one should prove to be anything but, with the Power and the Saints set to lock horns in what shapes up as a do-or-die match for both clubs and their finals aspirations.
The Power and the Saints enter this clash locked at 4-4 and in 9th and 8th spot respectively, with only 4.2% separating them. And with 6 wins + a strong percentage likely needed to secure a finals berth this season, these clubs have it all to play for at Alberton Oval on Friday night.
I’ve enjoyed the Power’s form slightly more in recent weeks and they head into this clash on a three-match win streak which is sure to breed confidence. They also have home ground advantage on their side, and they’re 3-1 at home against interstate clubs this season. So, with that said, I’m happy to be with the Power at the slight underdog odds.
Port Adelaide to Win
$2.10 (1.5 Units)
Hawthorn vs GWS
Saturday 1:05pm AEDT, Kinetic Stadium
One of the more one-sided fixtures in Round 8 will see the Hawks take on the Giants at Kinetic Stadium in the first match of Super Saturday. The Hawks are flying high in second spot on the ladder and have a top four finish in their grasp, while the Giants are dwindling away in 16th spot with only one win to their name.
There’s no value whatsoever in the H2H market here with the sure-fire Hawks priced as short as $1.02 to win. The line is currently around the 40-point mark, and playing into that market is nothing more than guesswork.
Instead, I’ll be looking to the goal scorer markets where Zarlie Goldsworthy is the standout. Yes, she’s set to be on the wrong side of a blowout scoreline, but that rarely stops her from hitting the scoreboard. Goldsworthy jagged two goals in a 64-point loss last weekend, and has kicked at least one goal in 7/8 games this season.
Z. Goldsworthy 1+ Goal
$1.80 (1.5 Units)
Sydney vs Gold Coast
Saturday 3:05pm AEDT, Henson Park
A pair of teams that played finals footy last year but won’t this season will come together in the 3:05pm (AEDT) fixture on Super Saturday, as the Sydney Swans host the Gold Coast Suns at Henson Park.
The Swans were super competitive in the first 15 minutes against the ladder-leading Kangaroos last weekend but simply couldn’t go with them after that. They ended up 60-point losers to make it four losses in a row and 6/8 for the year.
The Suns remain the only side in the competition yet to record a win and with two tough matches to come after this, you feel this is their only realistic chance of getting off the mark in 2024. To bolster their chances in the run home, star midfielder Claudia Whitfort is set to return in Round 8.
To their credit, the Suns have been ultra-competitive against very strong opposition in the past three weeks, and I’m confident that a similar effort here will be good enough for the four points. They’ll also have the added motivation of knowing this is their best chance to get the monkey off their back, and I expect them to perform accordingly.
Gold Coast to Win
$2.10 (2 Units)
Melbourne vs Richmond
Saturday 5:05pm AEDT, Casey Fields
With only one win to their name through the first five rounds, it seemed as if the once powerhouse Demons had fallen off the cliff; however, fast forward to the start of Round 8 and they’re sporting a three-game win streak to breathe life back into their campaign.
The Tigers had a shaky start to their season when losing their opening game against the Eagles despite being the overwhelming favourites. They quickly clicked into gear after their early wakeup call, and enter Round 8 with a 6-2 record which is good enough for 5th spot on the ladder.
Both clubs are playing great footy right now and that sets up a cracking encounter in the Saturday twilight slot. Both teams have also been playing in tight games in recent weeks and with so much to play for this weekend, I’m expecting another tight battle here. With that in mind, taking Either Team by Less Than 15.5 Points in the Tri Bet market is solid value.
Either Team by Less Than 15.5 Points
$1.88 (1.5 Units)
West Coast vs Fremantle
Saturday 7:05pm AEDT, Sullivan Logistics Stadium
The Eagles were obliterated by a dominant Hawks outfit last weekend in what was by far their worst performance of the season. Still, the Eagles remain a live chance of securing their first ever finals berth, but will likely need to win all three of their remaining matches.
The Dockers suffered a shock loss at home against the Blues last round in what could prove to be a very costly defeat. The Dockers were in the box seat to claim a spot in the top four but their destiny is now out of their hands in that regard.
The Dockers have won all prior meetings with the Eagles and it’s more than likely that will continue this weekend. However, the Eagles are certainly good enough on their day to push the Dockers all the way to the finish line, and taking them at the generous +14.5 handicap will be the play in a low-bet game for me.
West Coast +15.5
$1.91 (1 Unit)
Geelong vs Brisbane
Sunday 1:05pm AEDT, GMHBA Stadium
If Geelong’s 2024 campaign wasn’t already over last weekend, then it certainly is now. They come into this round with only two wins from eight fixtures, both of which came against sides in the bottom five on the ladder.
The Lions are the reigning premiers and look to be in a prime spot to become the first ever team to win back-to-back premierships in the AFLW. They’ve won seven straight matches since their opening round defeat against the Kangaroos and now sit third on the ladder.
The Lions weren’t at their brilliant best in their win last weekend, nor will they have to be if they’re to get the chocolates at the Cattery this Sunday. In saying that, the Cats have been competitive in all of their games this season with their heaviest defeat being 18 points, so taking the Lions in the 1-24 market appeals.
Brisbane by 1-24
$2.50 (0.5 Units)
Essendon vs North Melbourne
Sunday 3:05pm AEDT, Windy Hill
The Bombers eventually came out on top against the Bulldogs in a dour affair last Friday night. They were 26-3 winners and have now won four matches on the spin, which will see them enter a round in the top eight for the first time this season.
The Kangaroos continued their utterly dominant 2024 home and away season with a 60-point blowout win against the Swans. The Kangaroos remain undefeated this season and six of their seven wins have been by 6+ goals.
The Kangaroos have the superior talent, fitness, and structure and will be winning this game… it’s just a matter of by how much? My view is the Bombers can be competitive for 1 or 2 quarters but will run out of puff against the fittest and most dominant team in the competition. I expect the Kangaroos to kick away in the second half and add to their tally of 6+ goal wins.
North Melbourne -28.5
$1.91 (1.5 Units)
Collingwood vs Adelaide
Sunday 5:05pm AEDT, Victoria Park
The Magpies put up a solid fight against the Power last weekend but didn’t have enough juice to go with them in the second half, as they eventually fell by eight points. The Pies have now lost seven of their eight games this season and their lone win came against the last-placed Suns.
After a couple of ordinary weeks performances in recent weeks, a seemingly much hungrier and determined Crows outfit took to the field last weekend and handed the Giants a 64-point belting. Ebony Marinoff continued her ridiculous season with 41 disposals and 17 tackles, helping her side back inside the top four with a 6-2 record.
The Magpies are limping towards the finish line of the home and away season, and will be dreading playing one of the powerhouse clubs this weekend. If the Crows most recent performance is a sign of things to come, then this could get ugly for the Pies. Crows to win this by 40+.
Adelaide -33.5
$1.91 (1 Unit)
