The AFL season is now through eight rounds. Stay abreast of all the Round 9 tips, news, results, reaction and video as they come to hand below.
Jump ahead to a particular game (desktop only):
Bulldogs vs. Tigers
Demons vs. Power
Blues vs. Hawks
Bombers vs. Lions
Kangaroos vs. Crows
Saints vs. Swans
Eagles vs. Cats
Suns vs. Giants
Dockers vs. Magpies
Wednesday, July 29
Western Bulldogs vs. Richmond, Metricon Stadium, 7:10pm (AEST)
Team news: Premiership players Daniel Rioli and Jack Graham have been dropped by Richmond for the second time this year, while Sydney Stack and captain Trent Cotchin return to the side. Oleg Markov and Jack Ross have been included in the team in stead of the injured Nick Vlastiun and Patrick Naish. The Bulldogs, meanwhile, have named Sam Lloyd and Toby McLean to replace Lachie Young and Callum Porter, who suffered an AC joint injury in his debut last week.
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Score: Bulldogs 7.7 (49) def by. Tigers 13.12 (90)
Recap: The Bulldogs started as favourite but it became pretty clear early that Damien Hardwick's side had brought their A-game. A more patient Richmond outfit was methodical in overpowering the Dogs, and as a result moved into third on the ladder. Dustin Martin was in stellar form, racking up 26 disposals and booting three brilliant goals, a performance which will almost certainly net him the three Brownlow Medal votes. There weren't many Bulldogs who could hold their head high by fulltime, but Jack Macrae was certainly one. The ball magnet had 37 disposals in his 150th game.
Watch the video highlights here
Thursday, July 30
Melbourne vs. Port Adelaide, Gabba, 7.50pm (AEST)
Team news: Melbourne's silky recruit Harley Bennell won't face the Power, due to load management issues. He's out of the side along with Neville Jetta, who has been omitted. In comes the experienced Tom McDonald and youngster Tom Sparrow. For Port, Tom Rockliff returns for his first game since Round 5, along with Jarrod Lienert. Todd Marshall will miss with a thumb injury, while Riley Bonner is out with soreness.
Score: Port Adelaide 12.11 (83) def. Melbourne Demons 5.8 (32)
Recap: Port Adelaide extended their lead at the top of the table after they thrashed an insipid Melbourne by 51 points at the Gabba. Leading from the start, Port didn't look back as they powered ahead with impressive performances from skipper Travis Boak with 25 disposals and a goal, while youngster Mitch Georgiades starred up front with three goals. The Demons were poor for most of the match and struggled to hold back a rampaging Power.
Watch the video highlights here.
Friday, July 31
Carlton vs. Hawthorn, Optus Stadium, 5.40pm (AEST)
Team news: Carlton has confirmed Mitch McGovern suffered a hamstring which will see him out for at least this week's match. Harry McKay comes in. For the Hawks, Luke Breust, Tim O'Brien, Jon Ceglar and Jarman Impey come in for Mitch Lewis, Josh Morris, Darren Minchington and Keegan Brooksby.
Prediction: One club seems to be on the improve while the other seems to be in freefall - can the Hawks get back on track against the Blues in Perth? If Carlton are serious about their season, they'll win this, but as we know, you just never know what Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson has up his sleeve.
Score: Hawthorn 14. 5 (89) def. Carlton 9. 4 (58)
Read the full match report here
Watch the video highlights here
Essendon vs. Brisbane, Metricon Stadium, 8.10pm (AEST)
Team news: Kyle Langford has been suspended and will miss for Essendon this week. The Bombers have also announced they will be giving key defender Sam Draper his debut game, while Dylan Shiel, Brandon Zerk-Thatcher, ex-Lion Tom Cutler and James Stewart also come in. Meanwhile, the Lions' injury toll has paved the way for Connor Ballenden to make his debut, alongside Cam Ellis-Yolmen, Sam Skinner and Noah Answerth. Out goes Tom Berry, Dan McStay, Daniel Rich, Archie Smith and Ryan Lester.
Prediction: The Bombers are a game behind the rest and could be as high as third on the ladder if, as expected, they're to beat Melbourne in their 'catch-up' game. However, they looked anything but convincing last week against the Crows. Now they head up to Queensland to play the team second on the ladder. We suspect the Lions should have the answers for whatever Essendon throws at them.
Score: Brisbane 14. 7 (91) def. Essendon 3. 10 (28)
Read the full match report here
Saturday, August 1
North Melbourne vs. Adelaide, Metricon Stadium, 2.35pm (AEST)
Team news: In the good news story of the year, North has confirmed key defender Majak Daw will return for his first game in more than 700 days. He comes in at the expense of Ben Brown, who has been dropped.
Prediction: This is a grim matchup featuring the 17th and 18th ranked sides in 2020. Despite that, the Crows looked more than capable of snagging a win over the Bombers last week but fell agonisingly short, so may give the Roos -- who are on a six-game losing streak -- plenty to think about. Back the Crows to get on the board in this one.
Score: North Melbourne 19.5 (119) def. Adelaide 7.8 (50)
Recap: North Melbourne returned to winning ways in Majak Daw's first AFL game since 2018, snapping what was a six-game losing streak.
Read the full match report here
St Kilda vs. Sydney, Gabba, 5.10pm (AEST)
Team news: Shane Savage comes in for Seb Ross and Dean Kent makes way for Josh Battle for the Saints.
Prediction: The Saints are rolling after their strong win over the Power and their quick game style should be too much for Swans. There's something in the water at St Kilda's Noosa hub, and whatever it is, it's working.
Score:
Recap: The Saints have defeated the Swans, notching their third straight which has propelled them into the top four. Nick Hind was excellent, kicking three, while a handful of Saints contributed with two goals each.
Read the full match report here.
West Coast vs. Geelong, Optus Stadium, 8:10pm (AEST)
Team news: A big boost for the Cats will be the fact star forward Tom Hawkins will be able to take to the field after having his one-game ban overturned by the AFL Tribunal. For the Eagles, Harry Edwards will make his debut.
Prediction: The Cats will have been in Perth for three weeks by the time they run out to face the Eagles, so should be very well acquainted with Optus Stadium. Despite that fact, there will be a parochial West Coast crowd in attendance, and it's hard to argue that it didn't put a pep in the Eagles' steps last week against Collingwood. The Cats may struggle here.
Score: West Coast 11.7 (73) def. Geelong 10.4 (64)
Recap: Key forward Josh Kennedy was once again the difference for West Coast, kicking four goals -- three in a frantic final term -- to help guide the Eagles to their sixth win of the season. Geelong, in front at every change of ends, led by as much as 22 points at Optus Stadium but were unable to control the late Eagles surge as they let fourth spot slip through their fingertips.
Watch the video highlights here.
Read the full match report here.
Sunday, July 26
Gold Coast vs. GWS, Metricon Stadium, 3:35pm (AEST)
Team news: The Suns go into this clash unchanged, while the Giants have brought in Zac Williams to replace the injured Daniel Lloyd.
Prediction: The Giants have won the past eight clashes between these teams, and while the Suns have made strides so far in 2020, it's hard to see them getting the points over the Giants, who are coming off a team-building win over the Tigers.
Score: Gold Coast 4.11 (35) def by. GWS 9.7 (61)
Recap: GWS scored a crucial win -- their ninth in a row over the Suns -- to jump into the top eight momentarily with one match for the round remaining. Led by Lachie Whitfield and the returning Zac Williams, the Giants were cleaner on the outside. But their win is soured by the injury sustained to Toby Greene.
Read the full match report here.
Watch the video highlights here.
Fremantle vs. Collingwood, Optus Stadium, 6:10pm (AEST)
Team news: There are some big ins for the Dockers, who welcome back skipper Nat Fyfe, Brennan Cox, Travis Colyer, Connor Blakely and Mitch Crowden. OUt goes Blake Acres, Bailey Banfield, James Aish, Darcy Tucker and Michael Walters. The Pies have named debutant Mark Keane as well as Steele Sidebottom, Brayden Sier, Jack Madgen and Travis Varcoe, while Jordan Roughead, Matt Scharenberg, Rupert Wills, Callum Brown and Atu Bosenavulagi.
Prediction: The Pies were simply no match for the Eagles last week, with coach Nathan Buckley likening his side's performance to that of the Washington Generals against the Harlem Globetrotters. They should have a much better day out against the Dockers considering Steele Sidebottom is set to return to the lineup.
Score: Dockers 10.1 (61) def Magpies 7.7 (49).
Recap: The Dockers have upset the Magpies dealing Collingwood's premiership credentials another heavy blow.
Read the full match report here.
Watch the match highlights here.