Round 6 of the 2024 AFL season begins on Thursday night with a big clash between the Saints and Bulldogs. Keep up to date with all of the fixtures, games, news, tips, odds, results, reaction, and video as they come to hand.
THURSDAY, APRIL 18
St Kilda vs. Western Bulldogs
Team news: Luke Beveridge hasn't been shy to make selection shocks this season but it's hard to know if that will continue on Thursday night. Riley Garcia (35 disposals and one goal), James Harmes (34 and one), and Caleb Daniel (26 and four marks) were the standouts in Footscray's VFL win and should be in the mix, while Tom Liberatore is in concussion protocols and won't suit up. Meanwhile, Max King has been cleared of serious damage after injuring his knee against the Giants but is still unlikely to face the Dogs.
ESPN tip: Bulldogs by 8 points.
Pointsbet odds: Saints $1.80, Bulldogs $2.00
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FRIDAY, APRIL 19
Adelaide vs. Essendon
Team news: Adelaide has made two changes ahead of its game against Essendon on Friday night, with James Borlase and Lachlan Sholl selected to replace Jordon Butts (hamstring) and Matt Crouch (suspended). The Bombers have recalled young gun Elijah Tsatas, with the injured Jye Menzie going out of the team.
ESPN tip: Crows by 13 points.
Pointsbet odds: Crows $1.45, Bombers $2.75
SATURDAY, APRIL 20
Collingwood vs. Port Adelaide
Team news: Zak Butters escaped a ban after an incident with Fremantle's Bailey Banfield and will line up against the Magpies, who are unchanged from their side that beat Hawthorn in Gather Round. Charlie Dixon (managed) will also make way in Ken Hinkley's team, with former Bulldog Jordan Sweet set to play his first game for his new club.
ESPN tip: Power by 11 points.
Pointsbet odds: Magpies $1.77, Power $2.05
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Carlton vs. GWS
Team news: Both the Blues and the Giants will be somewhat undermanned this week as the two flag fancies go head-to-head. Carlton will be missing Adam Saad and Mitch McGovern after the pair injured their hamstrings last week, while GWS will be without star defender Sam Taylor (concussion) and midfielder Stephen Coniglio (knee), but Callan Ward will make his return from a shoulder injury.
ESPN tip: Blues by 4 points.
Pointsbet odds: Blues $1.80, Giants $2.00
Brisbane vs. Geelong
Team news: Tom Hawkins (managed) was held out of Geelong's big win against North Melbourne last week but will return to the starting line up, alongside skipper Patrick Dangerfield and key defender Jak Kolodjashnij. In good news for Lions fans, Charlie Cameron will be free to play after a successful tribunal hearing, but Zac Bailey will miss 4-6 weeks with an ankle injury.
ESPN tip: Lions by 3 points.
Pointsbet odds: Lions $1.52, Cats $2.55
West Coast vs. Fremantle
Team news: It's mixed news for the Dockers, with small pressure forward Sam Switkowski under concussion protocols, but Sean Darcy (knee) will play his first game of the 2024 season. The Eagles have made one change, with Dom Sheed replacing Luke Edwards.
ESPN tip: Dockers by 34 points.
Pointsbet odds: Eagles $5.50, Dockers $1.15
SUNDAY, APRIL 21
Sydney vs. Gold Coast
Team news: Sam Wicks, Peter Ladhams, Caiden Cleary, and Aaron Francis have all been included in Sydney's extended squad. The Suns will unleash another academy product with Jake Rogers named in Damien Hardwick's side.
ESPN tip: Swans by 21 points.
Pointsbet odds: Swans $1.35, Suns $3.25
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North Melbourne vs. Hawthorn
Team news: Jack Gunston, Jai Serong, and Harry Morrison have been included in Hawthorn's squad to take on fellow winless side North Melbourne, with Sam Mitchell not swinging the axe and injured stars still on the comeback trail. For the Kangas, Cameron Zurhaar, Will Phillips, and Jackson Archer return to the extended squad.
ESPN tip: Hawks by 16 points.
Pointsbet odds: Kangaroos $3.00, Hawks $1.40