Round 4 of the 2024 AFL season begins with a massive game between the winless Crows and in-form Demons, as Gather Round gets underway on Thursday night. Keep up to date with all of the fixtures, games, news, tips, odds, results, reaction, and video as they come to hand.
THURSDAY, APRIL 4
Adelaide Crows vs. Melbourne
Team news: Melbourne key defender Steven May (ribs) could be back in the selection frame after missing the Easter weekend win over Port Adelaide, but it's unfortunate news for Crows fans after Wayne Milera suffered a season-ending knee injury against the Dockers.
ESPN tip: Demons by 22 points
Pointsbet odds: Crows $2.20, Dees $1.65
Get your tips in now on the ESPNfootytips app!
FRIDAY, APRIL 5
Brisbane Lions vs. North Melbourne
Team news: North Melbourne will be forced into at least one change after key tall Callum Coleman-Jones suffered an Achilles injury on Good Friday. The Lions got through their Easter Thursday game unscathed but don't be surprised if Chris Fagan swings the axe as last year's runners-up hunt their first win of the season; Jarryd Lyons (33 disposals), Kai Lohmann (four goals), and Logan Morris (three goals, nine marks) all performed strongly in the VFL to put their names in the mix.
ESPN tip: Lions by 40 points.
Pointsbet odds: Lions $1.13, Roos $6.00
Port Adelaide vs. Essendon
Team news: Ken Hinkley will have a decision to make with Jason Horne-Francis (hamstring) expected to be available on Friday night. For the Bombers, Sam Durham has entered concussion protocols after a collision against the Saints and will sit out Round 4.
ESPN tip: Power by 17 points.
Pointsbet odds: Power $1.28, Dons $3.60
SATURDAY, APRIL 6
West Coast vs. Sydney Swans
Team news: Sydney veteran Dane Rampe will miss the next month of the season because of a hamstring injury, while fellow stalwart Harry Cunningham could return for this game. Offseason recruit Taylor Adams will make his club debut, after picking up 21 disposals and 13 tackles in managed minutes in the VFL last week.
ESPN tip: Swans by 60 points.
Pointsbet odds: Eagles $12.00, Swans $1.03
Fremantle Dockers vs. Carlton
Team news: Carlton star Sam Walsh has entered full training but the Blues will take a cautious approach and keep him sidelined for Gather Round. Jack Martin (hamstring) is also unlikely to feature against the Dockers.
ESPN tip: Blues by 21 points.
Pointsbet odds: Dockers $2.25, Blues $1.65
Western Bulldogs vs. Geelong
Team news: James Harmes (33 disposals and five tackles) and Rory Lobb (five goals and seven marks) were two of the best players in Footscray's VFL win over the weekend and have given Luke Beveridge something to think about, but it's unlikely he'll make too many changes after back-to-back wins. Geelong superstar Patrick Dangerfield is still recovering from a hamstring injury and won't feature against the Dogs.
ESPN tip: Bulldogs by 5 points.
Pointsbet odds: Dogs $2.00, Cats $1.80
SUNDAY, APRIL 7
Gold Coast Suns vs. GWS Giants
Adelaide Hills, 12:30pm (AEST)
Team news: Jarrod Witts is in line to return for the Suns following their bye last week, while draftees Ethan Read and Will Graham, and rookie draftee Sam Clohesy have all been named to debut.
ESPN tip: Giants by 31 points.
Pointsbet odds: Suns $3.00, Giants $1.40
Richmond vs. St Kilda
Team news: In brutal news for Tigers fans and Adem Yze's key forward department, Tom Lynch (hamstring) is set to undergo surgery which is likely to see him miss between 8-12 weeks of action, and Noah Balta (knee) could miss up to five matches, too. Dustin Martin (calf) is expected to return, but Liam Baker will serve a one-game ban. For the Saints, Max King will return after serving a one-match suspension, but teammate Marcus Windhager faces a similar fate after a collision with Essendon's Sam Durham on Saturday.
ESPN tip: Saints by 26 points.
Pointsbet odds: Tigers $4.00, Saints $1.25
Collingwood vs. Hawthorn
Team news: Steele Sidebottom was managed and left out of the win against Brisbane, but should return for Sunday's clash against the Hawks. Sam Mitchell will need to make changes, after Nick Watson (ankle) and Mitch Lewis (hamstring) both failed to see out the Easter Monday game at the MCG.
ESPN tip: Magpies by 19 points.
Pointsbet odds: Pies $1.28, Hawks $3.60