AFL round 4 fixture, odds analysis & early tips
Brisbane Lions will enter their AFL round 4 clash against Collingwood as a heavy favourite at the Gabba on Thursday night.
The Lions are priced at 1.42 to defeat the Magpies (2.85) despite the Lions missing two of their best players, with several more set to join them on the sidelines.
The Lions have banked two wins despite having a handful of key injuries and suspensions that have seen them struggle at various points, including being down against the Saints on the weekend.
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But the back-to-back premier roared to life when challenged by the Saints, with their experienced midfield, even in the absence of Hugh McCLuggage putting the Saints to the sword.
Brisbane will again be without captain Harris Andrews for the Magpies clash, with this compounded by the loss of Darcy Gardiner and Noah Answerth against the Saints.
“We wont’ have Harris Andrews, we won’t have Hugh McCLuggage – I think Hughie will be the next week, as will Harris,” Lions coach Chris Fagan said.
Collingwood has also won two from three matches to start 2026, despite a perceived lack of scoring power holding them back.
The Magpies were impressive against GWS and held them at arm’s length for most of Friday evening, but suffered another injury to their captain Darcy Moore, who will miss another month with a hamstring.
Veteran Jeremy Howe made it through the match unscathed but whether he plays off a six day turnaround remains to be seen, after overcoming his own calf injury.
Magpies forward Bobbie Hill is back training but won’t be considered for senior football for some time despite being “pleasantly surprised” by his fitness levels.
Good Friday AFL will kick off mid-afternoon when North Melbourne host Carlton at Marvel Stadium, with the Roos outsiders for the clash, despite the Blues capitulation against Melbourne on Sunday.
The Roos (2.31) are coming off a victory over Port Adelaide and have won two from three clashes, and will fancy their chances of causing an upset against Carlton (1.62).
On Friday night, Adelaide (1.79) faces a tricky clash at home against highly-rated Fremantle (2.07) but could be boosted by skipper Jordan Dawson, Mitch Hinge and Rory Laird.
The Dockers bounced back onto the winners list against Richmond, but the Crows clash will prove a step up, but one they are capable of making.
Richmond and Port Adelaide will lock horns at the MCG on Saturday, with the Tigers (2.46) outsiders against the struggling Power (1.55).
West Coast (3.78) will host Sydney (1.27) on Saturday night, with the Eagles a live chance of recording their third win of he AFL season, after shocking Port Adelaide on the weekend.
On Sunday, much-improved Melbourne (3.20) faces a stern test against the Gold Coast (1.35), but the match will be played at the MCG, giving the Demons some hope of causing an upset against the premiership favourite.
Western Bulldogs (1.01) face the struggling Essendon (19.00) at Marvel Stadium, with Australian betting sites giving Chris Scott’s team virtually no chance of causing an upset.
On Easter Monday, Hawthorn (1.53) will enter their clash against Geelong (2.51) as hot favourites, but it promises to be a beauty between two old rivals.
AFL round 4 fixture & early tips
AFL round 4 will kick off on Thursday, April 2 and conclude on Monday, April 6. We have highlighted our early tips.
Thursday, April 2
- Brisbane Lions ($1.42) v Collingwood ($2.90), Gabba, 7.30pm AEDT
Friday, April 3
- North Melbourne ($2.31) v Carlton ($1.62), Marvel Stadium, 3.15pm AEDT
- Adelaide Crows ($1.79) v Fremantle ($2.07), Adelaide Oval, 7.15pm AEDT
Saturday, April 4
- Richmond ($2.46) v Port Adelaide ($1.55), MCG, 4.15pm AEDT
- West Coast Eagles ($3.78) v Sydney Swans ($1.27), Optus Stadium, 7.35pm AEDT
Sunday, April 5
- Melbourne ($3.20) v Gold Coast Suns ($1.35), MCG, 3.15pm AEST
- Western Bulldogs ($1.01) v Essendon ($19.00), Marvel Stadium, 7.20pm AEST
Monday, April 6
- Hawthorn ($1.53) v Geelong Cats ($2.51), MCG, 3.15pm AEST
Bye: St Kilda, GWS Giants
