Round 9 of the 2024 AFL season beings with an epic clash at the MCG between Carlton and Melbourne and rolls into a bunch of other mouth-watering fixtures.
Keep up to date with all of the fixtures, games, news, tips, odds, results, reaction, and video as they come to hand.
THURSDAY, MAY 9
Carlton vs. Melbourne
Team news: The Blues could be boosted by the returns of injured trio Jack Martin, Mitch McGovern, and Caleb Marchbank this week, while Zac Williams was subbed out of last week's loss to Collingwood with what coach Michael Voss described as a 'tight glute'. For the Demons, small defender Jake Bowey has been training strongly after recovering from a collarbone injury and could also make a comeback at the MCG.
ESPN tip: Blues by 13 points
Pointsbet odds: Blues $1.95, Demons $1.85
Get your tips in now on the ESPNfootytips app!
FRIDAY, MAY 10
Geelong vs. Port Adelaide
Team news: Geelong midfielder Tanner Bruhn was subbed out of the Round 8 contest against Melbourne with a shoulder injury and will miss this week's clash, along with Zach Tuohy and Jack Bowes, who have both been managed. The trio will be replaced by Mark O'Connor, Brandan Parfitt, and Oisin Mullin. Meanwhile, Port Adelaide have lost Connor Rozee (hamstring), Lachie Jones (hamstring), Jordon Sweet (virus) and Jase Burgoyne (groin), with three-gamer Dante Visentini, Jeremy Finlayson, Josh Sinn, and Aliir Aliir all returning.
ESPN tip: Cats by 16 points
Pointsbet odds: Cats $1.28, Power $3.70
Fremantle Dockers vs. Sydney Swans
Team news: Fremantle ruckman Sean Darcy was subbed out of Round 8 with calf tightness and won't suit up against the Swans, but Sam Switkowski returns after missing through concussion. Sydney key defender Tom McCartin will miss the clash with the Dockers after he was concussed by a bump from Giants forward Callum Brown, with Aaron Francis named in the starting lineup. Remarkably, there is still no room for Luke Parker, who racked up 37 disposals in the VFL.
ESPN tip: Swans by 19 points
Pointsbet odds: Dockers $2.15, Swans $1.70
The ESPN Footy Podcast team discuss why Matt Owies conning the umpire into paying a dangerous tackle free kick against Brayden Maynard is a bad look for the game.
SATURDAY, MAY 11
Hawthorn vs. St Kilda
Team news: The Saints have made two changes this week, with Liam Henry and Ben Paton replacing omitted pair Mattaes Phillipou and Ryan Byrnes. For the Hawks, skipper James Sicily has been ruled out after battling through shoulder and ankle injuries last week, but veteran Luke Breust is among the inclusions, which also include Seamus Mitchell and Jai Serong.
ESPN tip: Saints by 17 points
Pointsbet odds: Hawks $2.50, Saints $1.53
Essendon vs. GWS Giants
Team news: GWS gun Tom Green was subbed out with a nasty looking ankle injury last week, but scans revealed there was no structural damage, and he will face the Bombers on Saturday afternoon. Stephen Coniglio and Nick Haynes are also welcome inclusions, with Callum Brown (suspension), and both Jacob Wehr and James Peatling (omitted) set to miss. the Bombers have made one change, with Nick Hind replacing the injured Xavier Duursma.
ESPN tip: Giants by 11 points
Pointsbet odds: Bombers $2.35, Giants $1.60
Richmond vs. Western Bulldogs
Team news: Joel Freijah set to debut for the Western Bulldogs in Saturday night's clash against Richmond, coming into the side alongside Alex Keath and Rhylee West. Tough onballer Tom Liberatore will miss with concussion, while trio Buku Khamis, Oskar Baker and Charlie Clarke have all been omitted. Meanwhile, the Tigers will be boosted by the returns of Noah Balta, Dion Prestia, and Jack Graham.
ESPN tip: Bulldogs by 25 points
Pointsbet odds: Tigers $3.20, Bulldogs $1.35
ESPN's Jake Michaels says it's 'on the board' Luke Beveridge won't be coaching the Bulldogs in Round 24 this season.
Gold Coast Suns vs. North Melbourne
Team news: Damien Hardwick has made several changes to the Suns lineup this week, with Wil Powell (suspension), David Swallow and Brayden Fiorini (managed), Ethan Read, Will Graham and Rory Atkins (omitted) all coming out of the side. Alex Sexton, Joel Jeffrey, and Bailey Humphrey are among the inclusions. For the Roos, Jy Simpkin (injured), Toby Pink, and Zane Duursma (omitted) have made way for Will Phillips, Charlie Lazzaro, and Hugh Greenwood.
ESPN tip: Suns by 44 points
Pointsbet odds: Suns $1.08, Kangaroos $8.00
SUNDAY, MAY 12
Collingwood vs. West Coast Eagles
Team news: Jordan De Goey (groin), Tom Mitchell (appendicitis/foot), Beau McCreery (concussion), Brody Mihocek (hamstring), Lachie Schultz (suspension), and Jamie Elliott (back) will all miss this Sunday's clash, in a massive blow for the Pies. Youngsters Reef McInnes and Fin Macrae are expected to play, while Craig McRae confirmed Jeremy Howe will play forward to fill a void. Meanwhile, the Eagles will be missing star midfielder Elliot Yeo (groin) and in-form forward Jake Waterman (concussion) when they travel to Marvel Stadium, with Andrew Gaff and Jayden Hunt among the potential inclusions.
ESPN tip: Magpies by 24 points
Pointsbet odds: Magpies $1.09, Eagles $7.50
Adelaide Crows vs. Brisbane Lions
Team news: In awful news for the Lions, Lincoln McCarthy and Darcy Gardiner both ruptured their ACLs in last week's win over the Suns, while Noah Answerth (concussion) will also miss against the Crows, forcing Chris Fagan into several changes. Callum Ah Chee, Jarryd Lyons, Jaxon Prior, Darcy Fort, Shadeau Brain (potential debut), and Darragh Joyce join the extended squad. Meanwhile, Sam Berry, Chris Burgess, Lachlan Murphy are all in line to return for the Crows.
ESPN tip: Lions by 7 points
Pointsbet odds: Crows $1.67, Lions $2.20