Round 7 of the 2024 AFL season begins on Wednesday night with a big clash between Richmond and Melbourne, before the Pies and Bombers go head-to-head in the traditional Anzac Day blockbuster. Keep up to date with all of the fixtures, games, news, tips, odds, results, reaction, and video as they come to hand.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24
Richmond vs. Melbourne
Team news: Richmond will welcome back Dylan Grimes (wrist) and Jacob Hopper (knee) for their Anzac Day Eve clash against Melbourne. Kysaiah Pickett returns for the Dees and will be one of three inclusions replacing Ben Brown and Koltyn Tholstrup (both omitted), and Christian Salem (injured).
ESPN tip: Demons by 31 points
Pointsbet odds: Tigers $4.80, Demons $1.18
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THURSDAY, APRIL 25
Collingwood vs. Essendon
Team news: The Bombers will be boosted by the return of key forward Peter Wright, who has served his four-match ban, for a monster Anzac Day clash against Collingwood, with Brad Scott electing to go tall. The Magpies got through their win against the Power unscathed, but Reef McInnes (omitted) comes out of the team for fellow youngster Harvey Harrison.
ESPN tip: Magpies by 13 points
Pointsbet odds: Bombers $2.60, Magpies $1.50
GWS Giants vs. Brisbane Lions
Team news: It's mixed news for the Giants, with Jesse Hogan successfully overturning a one-match ban but Toby Greene's suspension being upheld. Debutant Darcy Jones will come into the side. Meanwhile, Lions ruckman Oscar McInerney has entered concussion protocols and will be unavailable, with Darcy Fort and Conor McKenna named.
ESPN tip: Lions by 4 points
Pointsbet odds: Giants $1.95, Lions $1.85
The ESPN Footy Podcast team debate the Toby Greene-Jordan Boyd incident, and how it could have been avoided.
FRIDAY, APRIL 26
Port Adelaide vs. St Kilda
Team news: Ken Hinkley elected to manage Charlie Dixon out of last week's match against Collingwood but he finds his way back into the line up this week, along with Travis Boak and Dylan Williams. Ivan Soldo (injured) is set for a lengthy stint on the sidelines, while Ryan Burton has been omitted. For the Saints, Dougal Howard and Angus Hastie will replace Dan Butler (injured) and Zak Jones (omitted), with Max King held off for another week.
ESPN tip: Power by 19 points
Pointsbet odds: Power $1.32, Saints $3.40
SATURDAY, APRIL 27
North Melbourne vs. Adelaide Crows
Blundstone Arena, 1:45pm (AEST)
Team news: North Melbourne will unleash debutant Riley Hardeman against the Crows this week, with tough midfielder George Wardlaw joining him in the side at the expense of Eddie Ford (injured) and Tyler Sellers (omitted). Matt Crouch, Elliott Himmelberg, Luke Pedlar have been named for the Crows, replacing Brodie Smith and Sam Berry (both injured), and Lachie Gollant (omitted).
ESPN tip: Crows by 39 points
Pointsbet odds: Roos $5.00, Crows $1.17
Geelong vs. Carlton
Team news: The Cats have suffered a brutal blow with Tom Stewart (concussion) ruled out of Saturday afternoon's massive game at the 'G, but they will regain Zach Tuohy, Rhys Stanley, and Cameron Guthrie. The Blues will go into the clash unchanged.
ESPN tip: Blues by 21 points
Pointsbet odds: Cats $1.80, Blues $2.00
Fremantle Dockers vs. Western Bulldogs
Team news: Luke Beveridge has made one change for the Dogs, with Tom Liberatore replacing youngster Ryley Sanders. For the Dockers, Heath Chapman will play his first match of the season after recovering from injury, but they'll be missing gun key forward Jye Amiss after he entered concussion protocols.
ESPN tip: Bulldogs by 17 points
Pointsbet odds: Dockers $1.75, Bulldogs $2.05
ESPN's Jarryd Barca talks about the biggest issue with AFL umpiring in 2024, and it isn't the umpiring itself.
SUNDAY, APRIL 28
Gold Coast Suns vs. West Coast Eagles
People First Stadium, 1:00pm (AEST)
Team news: The Suns have included Rory Atkins, Alex Sexton, Sam Day, Darcy Macpherson and Ned Moyle to the extended squad, with Ethan Read (managed) and Bodhi Uwland (omitted) coming out of the team. The Eagles have elected to manage Harley Reid, while Tom Barrass will miss through suspension.
ESPN tip: Suns by 28 points
Pointsbet odds: Suns $1.20, Eagles $4.60
The Red Time crew discuss Damien Hardwick's current Suns list, and whether he has the "80%" of his premiership team just yet.
Hawthorn vs. Sydney Swans
Team news: In a big boost for the Hawks, Will Day and Mitch Lewis are both expected to return for a big match against the Swans.
ESPN tip: Swans by 41 points
Pointsbet odds: Hawks $3.10, Swans $1.38