Round 9 of the 2026 AFL season kicks off with a top four clash between the Dockers and Hawks at Optus Stadium. On Saturday night, Scott Pendlebury ties the league's games record when the Magpies battle the Cats at the MCG.
Keep up to date with all of the fixtures, games, team news, tips, odds, results, reaction, and video as they come to hand.
THURSDAY, MAY 7
Fremantle vs. Hawthorn
Team news: Hawthorn co-captains James Sicily and Jai Newcombe will both play on Thursday night. Sicily was hampered by an ankle injury in last week's draw to Collingwood, while Newcombe was battling with soreness this week. Jack Scrimshaw and Finn Maginness have both been omitted, with Calsher Dear out due to an adductor strain. Sam Butler and Max Ramsden will come in alongside first-gamer Bodie Ryan. For the Dockers, defender Judd McVee returns in place of Jeremy Sharp.
ESPN tip: Dockers by 6 points
Pointsbet odds: Dockers $1.74, Hawks $2.10
Get your tips in now on the ESPNfootytips app!
FRIDAY, MAY 8
Brisbane vs. Carlton
Team news: Brisbane key Ty Gallop failed an HIA assessment late in the win over the Bombers which has ruled him out of Friday night's clash with Carlton, with Darragh Joyce coming in as his replacement. For the Blues, George Hewett finally makes a return, while Billy Wilson has been called up for the first time this year, with Liam Reidy and Matt Cottrell both dropped.
ESPN tip: Lions by 32 points
Pointsbet odds: Lions $1.09, Blues $7.00
Port Adelaide vs. Western Bulldogs
Team news: Port Adelaide have made just the one change, with Todd Marshall making way for Jack Watkins. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs have made four changes; Laitham Vandermeer is set to miss up to seven weeks after suffering an "acute" hamstring injury against Fremantle, while Josh DOlan, Louis Emmett, and Sam Davidson have been dropped. Connor Budarick, Cooper Hynes, Oskar Baker, and Lachie Smith come in.
ESPN tip: Bulldogs by 4 points
Pointsbet odds: Power $1.92, Bulldogs $1.85
WATCH: James Hird and Dermott Brereton on ESPN Footy Central
SATURDAY, MAY 9
North Melbourne vs. Sydney
Team news: Sydney superstar Charlie Curnow will miss this week's clash due to an abdominal injury, with recruit Jai Serong (hamstring tightness) also sidelined. Veteran Harry Cunningham and big man Hayden McLean come in. For North, Wil Dawson, George Wardlaw, and Jacob Konstanty come in for omitted pair Aidan Corr and Lachie Dovaston, and injured Tom Powell.
ESPN tip: Swans by 21 points
Pointsbet odds: Kangaroos $4.00, Swans $1.24
GWS vs. Essendon
Team news: GWS has recalled Toby McMullin, Jake Riccardi, Oliver Hannaford, and Max Gruzewski for Sunday's clash with Essendon, with Ryan Angwin (concussion), Jesse Hogan (hip), Leek Aleer (ankle) and Xavier O'Halloran (ankle) all unavailable. The Dons, meanwhile have made SIX changes; Mason Redman, Darcy Parish, Archer May, Archie Perkins, Nick Bryan and Zak Johnson come in, while Ben McKay and Jade Gresham have been omitted, and Jye Caldwell (ankle), Saad El-Hawli (collarbone), Max Kondogiannis, and Tom Edwards also go out.
ESPN tip: Giants by 38 points
Pointsbet odds: Giants $1.08, Bombers $7.50
Gold Coast vs. St Kilda
Team news: Ben Jepson, (the forgotten Sun in the infamous photo of Matt Rowell, Noah Anderson, Nick Daicos) comes in for the suspended Sam Clohesy, while the Saints have regained Darcy Wilson for the hamstrung Dan Butler.
ESPN tip: Suns by 17 points
Pointsbet odds: Suns $1.42, Saints $2.80
Geelong vs. Collingwood
Team news: Geelong has recalled Rhys Stanley for Friday night's clash with Collingwood, while Mitch Edwards has been managed. Meanwhile Collingwood welcomes back Jeremy Howe, Beau McCreery, and Scott Pendlebury, with Harry Perryman sidelined by a hamstring injury, and Will Hayes and Wil Parker omitted.
ESPN tip: Cats by 8 points
Pointsbet odds: Cats $1.53, Magpies $2.50
SUNDAY, MAY 10
Melbourne vs. West Coast
Team news: Melbourne recruit Brody Mihocek succumbed to a hamstring injury against the Swans and is set for a lengthy stint on the sidelines, but Trent Rivers will undergo a fitness test having recovered from a knee injury that has kept him out of the side for over a month.
ESPN tip: Demons by 41 points
Pointsbet odds: Demons $1.09, Eagles $7.00
Richmond vs. Adelaide
Team news: Tiger Sam Lalor has avoided surgery on his Achilles injury, but will still be out for 2-3 months, but midfielder Tim Taranto should return from concussion. In good news for Crows fans, Jordan Dawson has trained this week but won't play unless he is ready, Callum ah Chee is set to return, and the club expects key forward Darcy Fogarty to play this week after overcoming a back injury. Fogarty should replace Taylor Walker (hamstring), with Nick Murray the likely replacement for Jordon Butts (groin).
ESPN tip: Crows by 52 points
Pointsbet odds: Tigers $5.50, Crows $1.13