Round 5 of the 2026 AFL season is Gather Round, and it all kicks off on Thursday night with a clash between the Crows and Blues at Adelaide Oval.
Keep up to date with all of the fixtures, games, team news, tips, odds, results, reaction, and video as they come to hand.
THURSDAY, APRIL 9
Adelaide vs. Carlton
Team news: The Blues have made a huge selection call dropping midfielder George Hewett, who played every game last season and hasn't missed since Round 18, 2024. Defender Nick Haynes is in for his first game of the season, with Zac Williams and Hudson O'Keeffe also selected, but Adam Saad has once again been overlooked. Jacob Weitering (concussion) and Will Hayward (suspension) are the other two to come out of the team from last week. For the Crows, Rory Laird, Isaac Cumming, Mitch Hinge, and Luke Nankervis have all been selected to replace Hugh Bond, Chayce Jones, and Reilly O'Brien (all omitted), with Luke Pedlar also out with concussion. Key forward Darcy Fogarty will also miss Thursday night's clash due to a back injury, which also saw him withdrawn from the side's Round 4 loss to Fremantle.
READ: Blues continue to set unwanted records
ESPN tip: Crows by 22 points
Pointsbet odds: Crows $1.14, Blues $5.50
Get your tips in now on the ESPNfootytips app!
FRIDAY, APRIL 10
Collingwood vs. Fremantle
Team news: The Dockers have officially put a line through the returns of Hayden Young and Michael Frederick for this week. Collingwood linchpins Nick Daicos (calf) and Scott Pendlebury (Achilles soreness) have been cleared to return from injury for Friday night's clash after missing the loss last week. First-year draftee Angus Anderson will make his AFL debut against the Dockers after dominating in the VFL win over Coburg last week. "The fans will love his tackle intensity. Every time we show some highlights in the VFL, he's really smashing in and hurting the opposition," coach Craig McRae said of the 22-year-old.
ESPN tip: Dockers by 9 points
Pointsbet odds: Magpies $2.45, Dockers $1.55
SATURDAY, APRIL 11
North Melbourne vs. Brisbane
Team news: Brisbane's depleted backline will receive a huge boost this week with Harris Andrews available to return after serving his three-match ban. For the Roos, there'll be a watch on young gun Finn O'Sullivan who hurt his jaw in the Good Friday clash and could spend some time on the sidelines.
ESPN tip: Lions by 23 points
Pointsbet odds: Kangaroos $5.00, Lions $1.16
Essendon vs. Melbourne
Team news: Scans have cleared Essendon's Zach Reid of any damage after the key defender sat out the final term of the loss to the Dogs due to a hamstring concern.
READ: The worrying stats behind the dismal Dons
ESPN tip: Demons by 18 points
Pointsbet odds: Bombers $4.20, Demons $1.22
Sydney vs. Gold Coast
Team news: Malcolm Rosas (calf) was a late withdrawal from the Swans' win over West Coast last week, so there'll be a watch on him heading into the clash against Gold Coast. The Suns will remain without Christian Petracca, Bailey Humphrey, and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, but if Damien Hardwick elects to make changes after the shock defeat to Melbourne, Alex Davies (22 disposals, seven tackles, five clearances, and one goal) couldn't have done much more in the VFL after being dropped from the senior team.
READ: Isaac Heeney cannot win Mark of the Year!
ESPN tip: Suns by 4 points
Pointsbet odds: Swans $1.80, Suns $2.00
Hawthorn vs. Western Bulldogs
Team news: Hawthorn remain confident both James Sicily (shoulder) and Jack Gunston (hamstring) will suit up this week, but they'll need to get through scans, and training, unscathed. Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, Tim English (MCL), Ed Richards (knee), and Artie Jones (hamstring) will all miss this week's clash.
ESPN tip: Hawks by 8 points
Pointsbet odds: Hawks $1.63, Bulldogs $2.30
SUNDAY, APRIL 12
Geelong vs. West Coast
Team news: Geelong captain Patrick Dangerfield will eye his return from a calf injury against West Coast but appears no guarantee to feature. James Worpel has put his hand up for selection with 24 disposals, seven clearances, and six tackles in a strong VFL win against Werribee. Tyson Stengle is also back at the club and should feature at some level in the next month.
ESPN tip: Cats by 53 points
Pointsbet odds: Cats $1.10, Eagles $7.00
GWS vs. Richmond
Team news: A bye week has given Toby Bedford, Jack Buckley, Aaron Cadman, and Brent Daniels extra time to recover as the Giants look for some reinforcements this week.
ESPN tip: Giants by 37 points
Pointsbet odds: Giants $1.14 Tigers $5.50
Port Adelaide vs. St Kilda
Team news: TBA
ESPN tip: Saints by 15 points
Pointsbet odds: Power $2.25, Saints $1.63