AFL Round 4 Tips & Preview - Best bets for every match of AFL Round 4 2026
- Brisbane faces Collingwood in a strong opening at the GABBA.
- Adelaide vs. Fremantle promises a tight, high-pressure game.
- Geelong tipped to dominate against Hawthorn on Easter Monday.
Hawthorn and Geelong feature in the Easter Monday clash (Getty Images)
AFL Round 4 action gets underway on Thursday night with the traditional Easter weekend opener between the Brisbane Lions and Collingwood at the GABBA.
- Brisbane Lions vs Collingwood, Gabba (7:30pm)
- North Melbourne vs Carlton, Marvel Stadium (3:15pm)
- Adelaide Crows vs Fremantle, Adelaide Oval (7:15pm)
- Richmond vs Port Adelaide, MCG (4:15pm)
- West Coast Eagles vs Sydney Swans, Optus Stadium (7:35pm)
- Melbourne vs Gold Coast (MCG, 3:15pm)
- Western Bulldogs vs Essendon, Marvel Stadium (7:20pm)
- Hawthorn vs Geelong Cats, MCG (3:15pm)
There are eight matches in total with a key contest coming up on Friday night between Adelaide and Fremantle, while the Hawthorn and Geelong clash on Easter Monday shapes as another beauty.
Thursday April 2
Brisbane Lions vs Collingwood, Gabba (7:30pm)
Brisbane look set to flex their muscles at the Gabba against a Collingwood side facing its first interstate test of the season. The Lions were strong late against St Kilda and their midfield and forward depth should test the Magpies, particularly with Collingwood set to lose Darcy Moore and Scott Pendlebury. Brisbane’s clearance and territory game remains the key, while Oscar Allen is settling in and shapes as a major threat up forward. Selections: Brisbane 1-39, Oscar Allen 2+ goals, Jamie Elliott 2+ goals, Josh Daicos 25+ disposals.
Friday April 3
North Melbourne vs Carlton, Marvel Stadium (3:15pm)
North Melbourne can push Carlton to the brink in the Good Friday clash and look the value play against a Blues side that simply cannot be trusted to close out games right now. The Kangaroos are 2-1, are restricting opposition ball movement better this season, and have plenty of young talent in form through Colby McKercher, Harry Sheezel and George Wardlaw. Carlton’s fade-out trends remain a major concern, and while they should come out hard after last week, North’s pressure and scoring options can take them all the way. Selections: North Melbourne +8.5, North Melbourne head-to-head, Paul Curtis 2+ goals.
Adelaide Crows vs Fremantle, Adelaide Oval (7:15pm)
Adelaide look the value in what shapes as a tight and high-pressure contest at Adelaide Oval. The Crows have dropped their past two by narrow margins and now return home with key players set to come back in, while Josh Rachele is coming off a career-high disposal game and has an outstanding recent record against Fremantle. The Dockers are 2-1 and dangerous through territory and inside-50 dominance, with Andrew Brayshaw, Caleb Serong and Shai Bolton all key threats, but Adelaide’s early pressure and home-ground edge can prove decisive. Selections: Adelaide head-to-head, Josh Rachele disposals and a goal, Shai Bolton player props.
Saturday April 4
Richmond vs Port Adelaide, MCG (4:15pm)
Port Adelaide can bounce back with a win over Richmond after last week’s shock loss to West Coast. The Tigers were well beaten by Fremantle and continue to battle around stoppage and in the ruck, which is a major concern against a Power side that can score quickly when it gets the game on its terms. Richmond will try to slow the game down and prevent repeat inside-50s, but Port’s recent dominance in this matchup and Zak Butters’ record against the Tigers points to the visitors getting the job done. Selections: Port Adelaide head-to-head, Mitch Georgiades multiple goals, Zak Butters midfield props.
West Coast Eagles vs Sydney Swans, Optus Stadium (7:35pm)
West Coast’s mini resurgence looks likely to come to an end against a fresh Sydney side on Easter Saturday. The Eagles have won two in a row, but their slow starts remain a huge danger and that could be badly exposed against a Swans side that wants to move the ball quickly in transition and attack with overlap run. Isaac Heeney shapes as a key inclusion, while Charlie Curnow can have a major say up forward, and Sydney’s record against West Coast is overwhelming. Selections: Sydney to cover the line, Callum Mills 25+ disposals, Charlie Curnow goals.
Sunday April 5
Melbourne vs Gold Coast (MCG, 3:15pm)
Gold Coast look set to maintain their perfect start to 2026 in what should be a high-scoring Easter Sunday clash at the MCG. The Suns shape as serious premiership contenders, having won all three matches by 58 points or more and are averaging 128 points per game, with their turnover and rebound game generating relentless scoreboard pressure, while Ben King has exploded with 16 goals from three matches. Melbourne have started strongly under Steven King at 2-1 and were brilliant in their 43-point comeback over Carlton, with Kozzie Pickett starring through the midfield and Max Gawn giving them first use, but Gold Coast’s ability to dominate territory through Noah Anderson, Touk Miller and Jarrod Witts should create too many repeat entries. With the Suns also smashing Melbourne by 58 points in the corresponding MCG clash last season, they look the right play to cover the line, with over total points and Ben King multiple goals the standout selections.
Western Bulldogs vs Essendon, Marvel Stadium (7:20pm)
The Bulldogs look set to blow the game apart against an Essendon side that is struggling badly for scoring power and execution. Luke Beveridge’s side is 3-0, averaging 117 points per game, and has already produced an 81-point demolition at Marvel this season. Essendon has now lost 16 straight and has scored over 75 points just once in that run, which is a dangerous profile against a pressure-heavy Bulldogs side with elite midfield depth and proven scoring weapons. Selections: Western Bulldogs to win big, Marcus Bontempelli 30+ disposals, Aaron Naughton 4+ goals.
Monday April 6
Hawthorn vs Geelong Cats, MCG (3:15pm)
Geelong are set to make it another painful chapter for Hawthorn in the Easter Monday blockbuster. The Cats have won the past five between the sides and their midfield strength, contest work and variety of scoring options gives them the edge again, despite Hawthorn coming in fresh off the bye and consecutive MCG wins. Bailey Smith is in outstanding form and looms as the key driver through the middle, while Geelong’s ability to control territory should create enough chances for their dangerous forward mix. Selections: Geelong head-to-head, over total points, Bailey Smith 30+ disposals, Mabior Chol 2+ goals.
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