AFL Round 4: Fixture, teams, news, tips, odds - everything you need to know for the round of football

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Connolly: Dillon, AFL, not strong enough on Balta (1:01)

On the Footyology podcast, Rohan Connolly says he wasn't impressed with how the AFL washed its hands of Tiger Noah Balta's club-enforced ban considering the vision of his assault case. (1:01)

Round 4 of the AFL season gets underway Thursday night with a blockbuster clash between Collingwood and Carlton. Then, on Friday night, Geelong hosts Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium.

Keep up to date with all of the fixtures, games, team news, tips, odds, results, reaction, and video as they come to hand.


THURSDAY, APRIL 3

Collingwood vs. Carlton

MCG, 7:30pm (AEST)

Team news: Collingwood forward Brody Mihocek will return on Thursday night after missing the win over the Bulldogs, while key defender Billy Frampton has also be included for his first match of the season. Mason Cox (omitted) and Reef McInness (injured) make way. Meanwhile, Carlton has named a trio of youngsters, with Cooper Lord and Ashton Moir joining debutant Will White in the side at the expense of Matt Cottrell (injured), Jordan Boyd and Francis Evans (both omitted).

ESPN tip: Magpies by 4 points

Pointsbet odds: Magpies $1.48, Blues $2.65

Get your tips in now on the ESPNfootytips app!


FRIDAY, APRIL 4

Geelong vs. Melbourne

GMHBA Stadium, 7:40pm (AEST)

Team news: The Cats wiill welcome back Tom Stewart and Shaun Mannagh to face the Dees on Friday night, with Mitch Knevitt and Jhye Clark. Meanwhile, Simon Goodwin has made four changes; Caleb Windsor, Kysaiah Pickett, Daniel Turner, and Charlie Spargo come in, with Xavier Lindsay, Blake Howes, Jack Billings, and Aidan Johnson going out.

ESPN tip: Cats by 17 points

Pointsbet odds: Cats $1.23, Demons $4.20


SATURDAY, APRIL 5

Gold Coast Suns vs. Adelaide Crows

People First Stadium, 1:20pm (AEST)

Team news: Scans have confirmed Crows livewire Josh Rachele has three fractured ribs, meaning he will miss the next 4-6 weeks, while Matt Crouch has been managed. Luke Nankervis and Lachie Murphy come in. For the Suns, it's just one change, with Nick Holman making way for Ben Ainsworth.

ESPN tip: Suns by 3 points

Pointsbet odds: Suns $1.70, Crows $2.15

Richmond vs. Brisbane Lions

MCG, 4:15pm (AEST)

Team news: Brisbane forward Kai Lohmann was subbed out of the weekend's win over Geelong after re-injuring the ankle he hurt in the Lions' opening game of the season. He will miss, and Darcy Fort goes out, with Oscar McInerney coming back along with Will McLachlan. The Tigers will make just one change, with Rhyan Mansell out for three matches and Sam Banks coming in.

ESPN tip: Lions by 39 points

Pointsbet odds: Tigers $7.00, Lions $1.10

North Melbourne vs. Sydney Swans

Marvel Stadium, 7:35pm (AEST)

Team news: North's No. 27 draft pick Matt Whitlock is set to debut after strong showings in the VFL. He joins Griifin Logue in coming in, with Toby Pink and Will Phillips making way. Sydney small forward Tom Papley has been ruled out with a cracked heel and is expected to miss 6-8 weeks in a huge blow, while Callum Mills and Taylor Adams are no closer to returning from their own injuries. Caiden Cleary comes in.

ESPN tip: Swans by 7 points

Pointsbet odds: Kangaroos $2.42, Swans $1.57


SUNDAY, APRIL 6

GWS Giants vs. West Coast Eagles

ENGIE Stadium, 1:10pm (AEST)

Team news: Jesse Hogan and Jake Stringer both got through their returns unscathed and will be right to face the Eagles on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Eagles have called in a trio of debutants, with Tom Gross, Sandy Brock and Hamish Davis to play.

ESPN tip: Giants by 42 points

Pointsbet odds: Giants $1.07, Eagles $8.50

Port Adelaide vs. St Kilda

Adelaide Oval, 3:20pm (AEST)

Team news: TBA

ESPN tip: Power by 25 points

Pointsbet odds: Power $1.52, Saints $2.50

Fremantle Dockers vs. Western Bulldogs

Optus Stadium, 5:10pm (AEST)

Team news: Sean Darcy (knee/ankle), Hayden Young (hamstring) and Nat Fyfe (knee) are all nearing a return to full fitness and could be a huge boost for Justin Longmuir as he seeks back-to-back-wins.

ESPN tip: Dockers by 13 points

Pointsbet odds: Dockers $1.65, Bulldogs $2.25