AFL 2025 Round 8 – Betting tips & Predictions

Round 8 action kicks off on Thursday and we are in for a cracker of a round once again, including the last game of the round which will see the second-placed Lions take on the third-placed Suns. The Magpies are still on top of the ladder on 24, with the Lions also on 24 points. At the bottom of the table sits the Eagles, who in Round 8, are still yet to chalk in a win for their 2025 season.

Who will come out a winner in Round 8? Let’s get stuck into some 2025 AFL predictions for Round 8 action!

First cab off the rank for our Round 8 fixtures sees the Bombers take on the Kangaroos on Thursday. It’s hardly a blockbuster, but both teams will be desperate for a win with the Bombers sitting in 12th and the Kangaroos in 17th on the ladder. The Bomber’s three-game winning streak came to an end last time out against the Magpies.

Meanwhile, the Kangaroos have lost five in a row now and Alastair Clarkson may be looking to make some changes. It was only a nine-point loss to the Kangaroos and after the first quarter, they kept clawing back ground but were never able to take the lead. Tristan Xerri had 23 disposals in that game and I think he’ll be in for another good game.

Bookmaker	Katherine’s Tip	Odds
	Bombers -16.5	$1.88
	Tristan Xerri - 20+ disposals	$2.20
	Bombers -16.5	$1.90

Predicted Squads

Essendon Bombers: A.McGrath, B.McKay, J.Ridley, M.Redman, Z.Reid, J.Prior, X.Duursma, D.Shiel, A.Roberts, J.Gresham, N.Caddy, N.Martin, K.Langford, P.Wright, I.Kako, T.Goldstein, Z.Merrett, S.Durham, B.Hobbs, W.Setterfield, A.Perkins, H.Jones & J.Menzie

North Melbourne Kangaroos: C.Comben, K.Dawson, J.Archer, L.McDonald, C.Daniel, D.Tucker, F.O’Sullivan, L.Davies-Uniacke, C.McKercher, R.Hansen Jr., N.Larkey, H.Sheezel, C.Zurhaar, J.Darling, J.Konstanty, T.Xerri, L.Parker, J.Simpkin, G.Wardlaw, D.Stephens, R.Hardeman, T.Powell & Z.Duursma

Another game that probably isn’t going to set the world alight, but the Saints and the Dockers will face off on Friday night at Marvel Stadium. The Saints are sliding a bit and last time out, they suffered their third loss in a row, going down to the Lions, 73-118, in a game they were never really in. Will Ross Lyon be swinging his axe?

The Dockers got back on the board with an 85-67 win over the Crows last time out at Optus Stadium. A win here could see the Dockers enter the top eight. I think there’s more upside and potential with the Dockers, even on the road. I’ll be playing it safe, taking the Dockers outright, but you can take them to cover the line for more value.

Bookmaker	Katherine’s Tip	Odds
	Dockers to win	$1.70
	Dockers to win	$1.72
	Dockers to win	$1.68

Predicted Squads

St Kilda Saints: D.Howard, C.Wilkie, M.Windhager, R.Byrnes, N.Wanganeen-Milera, J.Sinclair, D.Wilson, L.Stocker, M.Wood, J.Higgins, B.Hill, M.Owens, C.Sharman, A.Caminiti, I.Keeler, R.Marshall, J.Macrae, J.Steele, L.Collard, J.Webster, H.Boxshall, M.Hall & Z.Jones

Fremantle Dockers: L.Ryan, A.Pearce, B.Cox, C.Wagner, J.Draper, J.Clark, J.Sharp, H.Young, M.Johnson, M.Frederick, S.Switkowski, S.Bolton, O.McDonald, J.Treacy, J.Amiss, S.Darcy, C.Serong, A.Brayshaw, M.Reid, H.Chapman, K.Worner, L.Jackson & Q.Narkle

The Bulldogs sit just inside the top eight, while the Power are on the outside looking in, sitting 10th on the ladder. The Bulldogs were very impressive last time out, putting the Giants to the sword, winning by 32 points. That has extended the winning streak to two games after they got a 127-56 win over the Saints in their previous round.

The Power are building nicely, winning their last three games. However, last time out, it was only a narrow victory against the lowly Kangaroos, 97-88. I’m completely sure why the Bulldogs are such heavy favourites, I do think they deserve favouritism, but it is quite heavy. These are two pretty good teams and I think the Power can keep it close.

Bookmaker	Katherine’s Tip	Odds
	Power +19.5	$1.88
	Power +18.5	$1.91
	Power +18.5	$1.90

Predicted Squads

Western Bulldogs: B.Khamis, J.Busslinger, L.Bramble, J.Johannisen, R.Lobb, B.Dale, B.Williams, E.Richards, J.Freijah, L.Vandermeer, J.O’Donnell, M.Kennedy, R.Sanders, A.Naughton, R.West, T.English, M.Bontempelli, T.Liberatore, L.Cleary, S.Davidson, J.Dolan, J.Harmes & C.Hynes

Port Adelaide Power: La.Jones, A.Aliir, M.Bergman, C.Rozee, E.Ratugolea, K.Farrell, C.Moraes, O.Wines, J.Burgoyne, J.Mead, M.Georgiades, W.Rioli, S.Powell-Pepper, O.Lord, J.Richards, J.Sweet, J.Horne-Francis, Z.Butters, W.Drew, D.Byrne-Jones, J.Berry, T.Boak & J.Finlayson

The Blues head to Adelaide Oval to take on the Crows in Saturday’s twilight game. If the Crows are at their best, they are an attacking power and can be fairly difficult to beat. They have been a little inconsistent/ unlucky as of late and have won two of their last five games. But at Adelaide Oval, they should be putting in a good performance.

On the other side, the Blues have been building nicely, they got back-to-back wins against poor teams (Eagles and Kangaroos), however, last time out, they got the win over the Cats (a top-eight team). That confidence can’t be understated but the Crows have won the last three against the Blues and the home advantage goes to the Crows.

Bookmaker	Katherine’s Tip	Odds
	Crows to win	$1.48
	Crows to win	$1.50
	Crows to win	$1.47

Predicted Squads

Adelaide Crows: J.Worrell, J.Butts, R.Laird, W.Milera, M.Keane, M.Michalanney, I.Cumming, J.Dawson, L.Nankervis, B.Keays, R.Thilthorpe, I.Rankine, J.Rachele, T.Walker, A.Neal-Bullen, R.O’Brien, J.Soligo, M.Crouch, Z.Taylor, J.Borlase, D.Curtin, J.Peatling & S.Draper

Carlton Blues: J.Boyd, J.Weitering, A.Saad, N.Haynes, M.McGovern, S.Docherty, P.Cripps, O.Hollands, M.Cottrell, H.McKay, L.Fogarty, J.Motlop, C.Curnow, C.Durdin, T.De Koning, S.Walsh, G.Hewett, M.Carroll, B.Acres, W.White, E.Hollands & C.Lord

One of the biggest games of the round as we see the first-placed Magpies up against the seventh-placed Cats at the MCG on Saturday night. The Magpies will have to move on without Dan McStay, who is set to miss six to eight weeks after injuring his MCL. Their winning streak has extended to six and they haven’t suffered a loss since Round 1.

The Cats were handed a loss courtesy of the Blues last time out, 76-94, which put an end to their three-game winning streak. No doubt, that performance would have left a sour taste in their mouths after never really looking in it from the second quarter onwards. These two teams always seem to score points when they meet, so I’m taking the overs.

Bookmaker	Katherine’s Tip	Odds
	Total points - Over 172.5	$1.86
	Total points - Over 171.5	$1.89
	Total points - Over 171.5	$1.90

Predicted Squads

Collingwood Magpies: B.Maynard, B.Frampton, D.Houston, I.Quaynor, J.Howe, J.Daicos, J.Crisp, S.Sidebottom, P.Lipinski, B.Hill, T.Membrey, J.De Goey, W.Hoskin-Elliott, D.Moore, B.Mihocek, D.Cameron, N.Long, N.Daicos, J.Elliott, S.Pendlebury, H.Perryman, B.McCreery & L.Sullivan

Geelong Cats: C.O’Sullivan, S.De Koning, M.Blicavs, L.Humphries, T.Stewart, Z.Guthrie, J.Bowes, M.Holmes, O.Dempsey, B.Close, S.Mannagh, T.Stengle, J.Cameron, P.Dangerfield, S.Neale, R.Stanley, B.Smith, T.Atkins, M.O’Connor, O.Mullin, O.Wilthire, J.Clark & O.Henry

Can the Eagles finally get their first win of 2025 on the board? Well, this might be their best chance as they face off against the 15th-placed Demons, who have to make the trip over to Perth. Even though we are only in Round 8, this game could very well have implications on who gets handed the wooden spoon.

The Demons might be down in 15th on the ladder, but they come into this game with a little bit of form under their belts, on a two-game winning streak, including wins over the Dockers and Tigers. I think the Eagles will put up a fight but you would be a brave soul to back them considering their performances as of late.

Bookmaker	Katherine’s Tip	Odds
	Demons to win	$1.40
	Demons to win	$1.42
	Demons to win	$1.37

Predicted Squads

West Coast Eagles: R.Maric, J.McGovern, B.Hough, T.Cole, R.Ginbey, L.Baker, J.Cripps, H.Reid, J.Hunt, J.Graham, J.Waterman, M.Owies, L.Ryan, O.Allen, A.Reid, M.Flynn, L.Duggan, J.Hutchinson, E.Hewett, J.Williams, H.Davis, T.Kelly & N.Long

Melbourne Demons: J.Bowey, S.May, C.Salem, C.Windsor, T.McDonald, J.McVee, K.Chandler, J.Viney, E.Langdon, T.Sparrow, J.van Rooyen, K.Pickett, K.Tholstrup, B.Fritsch, C.Spargo, M.Gawn, C.Petracca, H.Langford, C.Oliver, X.Lindsay, T.Rivers, H.Petty & H.Sharp

It’s the Sydney Derby as we see the Swans up against the Giants at the SCG. This game, as have the last few, seems to be extremely important for the Swans. They need to stop their losing streak if they want to claw their way into the top eight. The Swans have lost three games on the trot to the Magpies, Power and Suns.

The Giants also come into this game on a losing streak, with theirs standing at two, with losses to the Crows and Bulldogs. Toby Greene hasn’t been performing that well in his last couple of games so I’ll be keeping an eye on him as he should step up in the Sydney Derby. Based on form, I think the Giants will win in a close one.

Bookmaker	Katherine’s Tip	Odds
	Giants to win	$1.58
	Toby Greene - 2+ goals	$1.44
	Giants to win	$1.58

Predicted Squads

Sydney Swans: L.Melican, T.McCartin, D.Rampe, M.Roberts, N.Blakey, R.Bice, J.Lloyd, I.Heeney, O.Florent, J.McInerney, H.McLean, J.Jordon, W.Hayward, A.Francis, B.Campbell, B.Grundy, Ch.Warner, J.Rowbottom, B.Paton, P.Ladhams, Co.Warner, C.Cleary & T.Hanily

GWS Giants: C.Idun, S.Taylor, H.Himmelberg, L.Whitfield, J.Buckley, L.Ash, J.Wehr, F.Callaghan, C.Ward, D.Jones, A.Cadman, H.Thomas, T.Greene, J.Hogan, J.Stringer, K.Briggs, J.Kelly, T.Green, T.Bedford, T.McMullin, C.Stone, J.Riccardi & N.Wardius

In the middle Sunday game, we see the Hawks, who are sitting pretty in the top four, against the Tigers, who are down in 16th position. The Hawks will be forced into at least two changes after Karl Amon and Jack Scrimshaw were concussed last time out in their win against the Eagles. But I don’t think that will stop them here at the MCG.

After getting a surprising win over the Suns, the Tigers were back to their losing ways last time out, going down to the Demons, 63-83. I suspect this will be a case of how many points can the Hawks score, which I think will be many. However, the line is currently sitting around the -49.5 mark, which is massive. Not sure they can cover that.

Bookmaker	Katherine’s Tip	Odds
	Tigers +49.5	$1.88
	Tigers +48.5	$1.91
	Tigers +48.5	$1.90

Predicted Squads

Hawthorn Hawks: T.Barrass, B.Hardwick, J.Sicily, J.Battle, J.Impey, J.Weddle, C.Jiath, C.Mackenzie, M.D’Ambrosio, J.Ginnivan, N.Watson, J.Ward, J.Gunston, M.Chol, D.Moore, L.Meek, J.Newcombe, H.Hustwaite, H.Morrison, F.Maginness, C.Macdonald, J.Worpel & B.Macdonald

Richmond Tigers: B.Miller, N.Broad, N.Vlastuin, J.Short, S.Banks, L.Trainor, H.Ralphsmith, T.Dow, J.Trezise, S.Campbell, J.Ross, S.Green, J.Faull, T.Lynch, T.Lynch, T.Nankervis, T.Taranto, J.Hopper, R.Mansell, N.Balta, K.McIntosh, S.Lalor & T.Brown

Are we saving the best for last here when we see the Lions go up against the Suns in the final game of Round 8? The Lions are in second place and the Suns are up in third, with a win here really nailing down a top-four spot. Both teams come into this one with the same recent record, winning four of their last five games.

They both got back into the winner’s circle last time out, after suffering losses in the previous round. The Lions beat the Saints 118-73, while the Suns proved too good for the Swans, 117-79. The Lions look like the real deal and at the Gabba, I’m expecting a big performance from the team. Play it safe though, taking the Lions to win.

Bookmaker	Katherine’s Tip	Odds
	Lions to win	$1.51
	Lions to win	$1.52
	Lions to win	$1.50

Predicted Squads

Brisbane Lions: D.Zorko, D.Gardiner, R.Lester, N.Answerth, H.Andrews, D.Wilmot, J.Fletcher, Z.Bailey, J.Berry, C.Cameron, E.Hipwood, H.McCluggage, C.Rayner, S.Day, C.Ah Chee, O.McInerney, J.Dunkley, L.Neale, K.Lohmann, W.Ashcroft, L.Ashcroft, L.Morris & J.Tunstill

Gold Coast Suns: M.Andrew, J.Jeffrey, S.Collins, J.Noble, W.Powell, D.Rioli, L.Weller, M.Rowell, T.Miller, W.Graham, J.Walter, S.Flanders, E.Read, B.Long, B.King, J.Witts, B.Humphrey, N.Anderson, N.Holman, B.Ainsworth, J.Rogers, B.Uwland & C.Budarick

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