The AFL season is now through seven rounds. Stay abreast of all the Round 8 tips, news, results, reaction and video as they come to hand below.
Jump ahead to a particular game (desktop only):
Suns vs. Bulldogs
Giants vs. Tigers
Kangaroos vs. Blues
Swans vs. Hawks
Power vs. Saints
Crows vs. Bombers
Eagles vs. Magpies
Demons vs. Lions
Dockers vs. Cats
Thursday, July 23
Gold Coast vs. Western Bulldogs, Metricon Stadium, 7:40pm (AEST)
Team news: A sign on the times - Gold Coast will not mess with a winning formula, choosing to go into this clash unchanged, while the Dogs have made two changes: Billy Gowers returns and Callum Porter has been named for his debut, while they lose Bailey Dale to an ankle and Lachie Hunter for personal reasons.
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Score: Gold Coast Suns 6.10 (46) def by. Western Bulldogs 7.9 (51)
Result: The Western Bulldogs have held on for dear life to record their fifth win of the season and climb into the top four, edging out the Gold Coast Suns by five points at Metricon Stadium. The Dogs led by two points at every break and it took a clutch Marcus Bontempelli mark late in the game for his side to hang on. Young Sun Izak Rankine almost stole the show yet again, but his 1.4 proved costly in his side's maiden primetime game in 10 years, missing two late shots from the same pocket -- the last of which could have put the home side in front in the dying stages. Jack Macrae had a night out for the Dogs with 29 disposals, while Caleb Daniel continued his impressive season with 25 touches at 84 per cent disposal efficiency.
Friday, July 24
GWS vs. Richmond, Giants Stadium, 7.50pm (AEST)
Team news: The Giants have regained star Toby Greene but will be without big man Shane Mumford, who misses the important clash through injury. Sam Jacobs and Daniel Lloyd have also been named to replace the omitted Jackson Hately and Bobby Hill. The Tigers have lost Josh Caddy after injuring his hamstring last week, with youngster Patrick Naish selected for his third career game.
Score: GWS 9.8 (62) def. Richmond 6.14 (50)
Result: A five-star performance from Toby Greene has propelled the Giants to an important win over Richmond in western Sydney, exactly 300 days after the club's horror Grand Final against the Tigers. Greene booted five brilliant goals in one of the great individual efforts of 2020, one fewer than the entire Tigers tally. Damien Hardwick's side was wildly inaccurate on the night and drops their first points in a month.
Watch the video highlights here
Saturday, July 25
North Melbourne vs. Carlton, Gabba, 1.05pm (AEST)
Team news: The Blues will go into Saturday's contest unchanged from the side that was pipped at the buzzer in Round 7, but it's changes galore for the struggling North Melbourne. Zurhaar will provide much needed grunt for the Kangas after missing last week, with Jed Anderson, Luke Davies-Uniacke and Nick Larkey also selected. Captain Jack Ziebell and Aiden Bonar will miss with a hamstring, while Mason Wood and Marley Williams have ben omitted.
Score: Carlton 9.10 (64) def. North Melbourne 9.3 (57)
Result: The Blues certainly did their best to lose this one despite leading by 30 points early in the second quarter, but North Melbourne proved to be a far tougher opponent than they had shown this year, having now lost their last six consecutive games.They launched an assault on Carlton through the second and third quarters, shifting momentum in their favour by scoring seven of the next ten goals to be within a goal of the lead by the final quarter. As the rain began to pour, however, the Kangaroos' dominance would fade as Carlton held on for yet another slim victory - their third win decided by seven or less points.
Sydney vs. Hawthorn, SCG, 3.35pm (AEST)
Team news: The Swans have made five changes for their clash with the Hawks, headlined by the return of key tall Sam Reid and the debut of Matt Ling. James Bell, Lewis Taylor and Sam Gray round out the inclusions, replacing George Hewett, Ryley Stoddart and Will Hayward (injured) and Chad Warner and Colin O'Riordan (omitted). Injured duo Tim O'Brien and Ricky Henderson are set to miss for the Hawks, with Jack Scrimshaw and Keegan Brooksby (club debut) both named.
Prediction: As a spectacle, this one is unlikely to be must-watch viewing with both teams outside the top eight and struggling to score. The Swans have lost four on the trot and the Hawks three in a row, and it's hard to get a gauge as to which side enters this match with more cause for optimism. At home, the Swans may have a slight edge, although the Hawks will be desperate to celebrate Jack Gunston's 200th game with a win.
Score: Sydney 9.6 (60) def. Hawthorn 7.11 (53)
Result: The Swans were able to hold on in a seven-point thriller to earn their third win of the 2020 season. Led by dangerous forward Tom Papley who kicked a match-winning four goals, the Swans snapped a four-game losing streak and now sit percentage above the struggling Hawks on a log-jammed ladder, piling on further pressure to the brown and gold who slump to 15th. The Hawks were able to keep their noses in front at the main break and when Tom Mitchell kicked a goal from a stoppage within 50 seconds of the premiership quarter, it seemed they had a strangle hold on the contest. But a second half surge thereafter -- albeit low scoring -- was enough to hand the injury-riddle Swans a memorable victory.
Port Adelaide vs. St Kilda, Adelaide Oval, 7.40pm (AEST)
Team news: Port Adelaide has made a trio of changes for its clash with St Kilda, with Brad Ebert, Riley Bonner and Mitch Georgiades returning to the side to replace the injured Ryan Burton and Steven Motlop. Veteran Justin Whesthoff has ben omitted in a big statement from the top side. The Saints have recalled Nick Hind, Jack Sinclair and Matt Parker. Ryan Byrnes and Jack Lonie are the omissions, while Josh Battle will miss with concussion.
Prediction: What a difference one straight kick makes. Robbie Gray's superlative after-the-siren match-winner against Carlton means the Power sit atop the ladder, but if he missed, plenty would be questioning how they were unable to beat the Blues. The Saints broke their Adelaide duck on Monday night -- securing their first victory at Adelaide Oval in 11 attempts -- with their small forwards particularly dangerous. They could give the Power a big scare if they can find a way to apply consistent pressure.
Score: Port Adelaide 6.8 (44) def by. St Kilda 12.1 (73)
Result: A sharp-shooting St Kilda dominated the final term to sink the ladder-leading Power and win their second game at Adelaide Oval in six days after not being able to do so in the 10 attempts prior. The Saints held the home side goalless in the final stanza after a tug-of-war opening three quarters, all while stamping their authority on the contest and kicking five goals straight themselves in a statement win that sees them jump to third spot on the ladder. Dan Butler, Rowan Marshall, Tim Membrey and Paddy Ryder each bagged multiple goals in an even contribution that would more than please coach Brett Ratten.
Sunday, July 26
Adelaide vs. Essendon, Adelaide Oval, 1.05pm (AEST)
Team news: The Bombers have been dealt a double blow ahead of their Round 8 danger game against the winless Crows; Orazio Fantasia and Cale Hooker both copping untimely injuries. Big man Andrew Phillips will be replaced by Tom Bellchambers, with Aaron Francis and Martin Gleeson to join him in the lineup. Lachlan Murphy and Elliott Himmelberg will replace Ned McHenry (managed) and Jake Kelly (Omitted) for the Crows.
Prediction: Essendon are one of the hardest teams to get a read on so far this year but one thing is certain - they're travelling a fair bit better than the winless Crows. Adelaide were spirited against the Saints on Monday night but their lack of class and composure again robbed them of victory. It's unlikely they will taste their first victory of the season against the visiting Bombers.
Score: Essendon 9.8 (62) def. Adelaide 8.11 (59)
Result: They may be win-less throughout 2020, but the Crows are proving to be a serious threat to whichever side they come up against. This was certainly the case against Essendon when they went down by just three points in fast-paced, action-packed game at the Adelaide Oval. The Bombers were struggling to fend off the Crows' attack in the last quarter, but were saved by fantastic efforts from Michael Hurley and Mason Redman who secured contested marks in the game's dying moments. Essendon was spared the embarrassment of being Adelaide's first scalp of the year, confining the Crows to their 11th loss in a row and moving just outside the top four with a game in hand.
West Coast vs. Collingwood, Optus Stadium, 3:35pm (AEST)
Team news: Eagles captain Luke Shuey will start in Sunday's game against the Pies, with forward Brandon Ah Chee missing with a back injury in the only change for the home side. The Magpies have overlooked Mason Cox as they look to overcome injuries to Jordan de Goey and Travis Varcoe. Darcy Cameron, Josh Thomas and Matt Scharenberg return to the lineup. Youngster Atu Bosenavulagi has been omitted.
Prediction: This should be the match of the round. Two premiership contenders who are starting to string together wins. Collingwood were particularly impressive last round, smashing Geelong at Optus Stadium, while West Coast comfortably accounted for Fremantle. Importantly for the Eagles, star recruit Tim Kelly appears to be closing in on his best form after a slow start to his career in blue and gold. Jordan De Goey's injury will hurt the Magpies up front, but they are by far the stingiest defensive team in the league. Buckle up - this will be a ripper!
Score: West Coast 18.3 (111) def. Collingwood 6.9 (45)
Result: The Eagles were incredibly efficient in front of goal as they set about demolishing the under-strength Magpies in Perth. It allowed West Coast to move into the Top 4 after a very shaky 1-3 start to the season. Josh Kennedy was at his best kicking seven goals as the Eagles found their feet after a slow first quarter. Nic Naitanui outplayed Pies ruckman Brodie Grundy as the Eagles unleashed an unstoppable running game.
Melbourne vs. Brisbane, Metricon Stadium, 6:10pm (AEST)
Team news: Veteran Nathan Jones returns for the Demons for his second game of the year, replacing Aaron vandenBerg who suffered a fractured cheekbone last week. The Lions were also forced to make one change, with ruckman Stefan Martin to be replaced by Archie Smith due to a back injury.
Prediction: A fortnight ago, this would have been viewed as an easy four points for the Lions, but Melbourne's impressive uptick in form means they are every chance at Metricon Stadium. The Demons have sparked back to life with commanding wins against Hawthorn and Gold Coast in recents weeks, resembling the fierce and frenetic 2018 outfit that reached a preliminary final. Still, the Lions' formline has been steadier for longer this year, and with a midfield that can match Melbourne on the inside, Chris Fagan's men should get the job done.
Score: Brisbane 7.11 (53) Lions def Melbourne 7.7 (49)
Result: Brisbane have survived a late charge by Melbourne to grab a share of top spot on the ladder. In slippery conditions on the Gold Coast the Lions took a three goal lead into the final quarter, but the Dees kicked 3.1 while the Lions could only manage five behinds. In the end it was enough for the Lions' sixth victory of the season. Lachie Neale (33 disposals), Jarryd Lyons and Hugh McCluggage were among the best for Brisbane.
Monday, July 27
Fremantle vs. Geelong, Optus Stadium, 8:10pm (AEST)
Team news: Geelong has six changes for its clash with Fremantle on Monday night, with Jack Steven, Darcy Fort, Luke Dahlhaus, Joel Selwood, Jordan Clark and Gary Ablett all ruled out. Headlining the inclusions is important duo Tom Stewart and Mitch Duncan. Docker speedsters Stephen Hill (adductor) and Travis Colyer (omitted) will be replaced by Brandon Matera and Reece Conca.
Prediction: The Cats suddenly have several bumps in the road as they approach Monday night's clash with Fremantle. Joel Selwood is out with a hamstring injury, Gary Ablett has returned home for family reasons and collectively, the team was shown up against Collingwood. Fremantle should view this clash as very winnable, despite a 10th-straight Derby loss to West Coast. The Dockers are still struggling to find ways to goal but if they find a way to restrict the Cats to say, eight goals, could snatch the four points.
Score: Fremantle 2.4 (16) def. by Geelong 6.12 (48)
Result: Well, that was something! Not one for the 'Name-A-Game' records, Fremantle barely avoided scoring their lowest ever AFL score, by virtue of a last-minute goal to Caleb Serong. The Cats, led by three goals from Tom Hawkins, played the horrid, wet conditions better all night, but funnily enough posted their lowest ever score against the Dockers - in a 32-point win!