AFL Rd 9 betting preview, match tips & predictions

The 2024 AFL season continues this week with an exciting slate of matchups headlined by clash between premiership contenders Carlton and Melbourne on Thursday night. Here are our match previews and betting tips for every game of round nine.

Carlton Blues vs Melbourne Demons

Thursday, May 9 – 7:30pm AEST – MCG

After knocking off the previously undefeated Geelong Cats last Saturday, the Melbourne Demons have shown they are one of the teams to beat. Losing a six-point thriller to the Magpies is no major cause for concern for Carlton, but back-to-back losses have left them at risk of dropping out of the top eight. As the Blues’ twin towers face off against the defensive pair of Steven May and Jake Lever, this should be a cracking game to kick off the round.

Geelong Cats vs Port Adelaide Power

Friday, May 10 – 7:10pm AEST – GMHBA Stadium

After going down in the Showdown last weekend, it doesn’t get much easier for Port Adelaide as they head to Geelong on the toughest away trip in the AFL. Although the Cats suffered their first defeat of the season last round, they are heavily backed to respond against a Power side missing captain Connor Rozee due to injury. The last time the visitors won in Geelong was 2007, and given they have lost two of their past three games, an upset seems unlikely.

Fremantle Dockers vs Sydney Swans

Friday, May 10 – 6:30pm AWST – Optus Stadium

Sitting on top of the ladder, the Sydney Swans put together their most impressive win yet last Saturday as they beat the GWS Giants. Now the premiership favourites with top AFL bookmakers, they head across to Perth for a tricky clash against the Dockers. Having won their past two in a row, Fremantle sit sixth on the ladder, but given they have lost both of their top-eight clashes so far, improvement is needed if they are going to challenge the Swans.

Hawthorn Hawks vs St Kilda Saints

Saturday, May 11 – 1:45pm AEST – University of Tasmania Stadium

After beating the Bulldogs last weekend, the Hawthorn Hawks have now won two of their last three matches following a rough start to the season. Heading down to Launceston, they welcome the Saints, who broke their three-match losing streak last Saturday against the bottom-placed Kangaroos. St Kilda enter as betting favourites, but as the Hawks have won three of their past four at the ground, this is a danger game for Ross Lyon’s men.

Essendon Bombers vs GWS Giants

Saturday, May 11 – 4:35pm AEST – Marvel Stadium

A narrow win over the Eagles last Saturday has pushed the Bombers up to fifth spot on the AFL ladder. Back in Melbourne this week, they face a tough test against the third-placed GWS Giants, who remain one of the premiership favourites despite two losses in their past three games. Essendon have lost five of the past six between the sides, including a 126-point loss last year, so this match shapes as a real gauge for their form in 2024.

Richmond Tigers vs Western Bulldogs

Saturday, May 11 – 7:30pm AEST – MCG

The Western Bulldogs have won just one of their past five matches, leaving coach Luke Beveridge under enormous pressure. Fresh off a loss to the Hawks last Sunday, the Dogs now have an excellent chance to rebound against the injury-hit Richmond Tigers. With a much stronger side on paper, the Bulldogs should be too strong, but given their form, anything could happen.

Gold Coast Suns vs North Melbourne Kangaroos

Saturday, May 11 – 7pm ACST – TIO Stadium

Alternating wins and losses over the past seven rounds, the Gold Coast Suns remain a picture of inconsistency despite showing major improvements at times this year. Heading up to Darwin, they enter as the strongest betting favourites of the weekend as they host the winless Kangaroos. With concerns all over the field, North Melbourne have not looked close to winning a game this year, providing the Suns with an excellent opportunity to show their quality.

Collingwood Magpies vs West Coast Eagles

Sunday, May 12 – 1pm AEST – Marvel Stadium

Unbeaten in their past five matches, the Magpies are surging up the ladder after their slow start to the season. Hosting the 15th-placed West Coast Eagles, Craig McRae’s charges enter as comfortable favourites, with a win set to push them into the top-eight for the first time this year. While an upset seems unlikely, the Eagles have already shown major improvements that suggest this match may be closer than expected.

Adelaide Crows vs Brisbane Lions

Sunday, May 12 – 3:30pm ACST – Adelaide Oval

The Crows and Lions are coming off much-needed wins. Adelaide continued their recent Showdown dominance, while an injury-plagued Brisbane side proved too good for the Suns. Back at home, the Crows enter as slight favourites with online bookmakers after winning three of their past four matches. The Lions have won just once on the road this season, but they have won five of the past six against the Crows, so this should be a thrilling match.

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