Round 18 of the 2026 AFL season kicks off with a Thursday night cracker between the top two teams on the ladder as Fremantle host Sydney at Optus Stadium.
Keep up to date with all of the fixtures, games, ins and outs, team news, tips, odds, results, reaction, and video as they come to hand.
THURSDAY, JULY 9
Fremantle vs. Sydney
Team news: The Dockers pulled off a surprise selection move on Wednesday when announcing they will rest injury-prone ruckman Sean Darcy just two games after he returned to the senior side. Mason Cox replaces Darcy, while Jaeger O'Meara has been called up for the injured Hayden Young (groin). Sydney welcome back Tom Papley from a calf injury, with Corey Warner making way. -- AAP
ESPN tip: Dockers by 11 points
Pointsbet odds: Dockers $1.44, Swans $2.70
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FRIDAY, JULY 10
Collingwood vs. North Melbourne
Team news: The Magpies welcome back veteran Scott Pendlebury (calf) for Friday night's clash, with Harvey Harrison the unlucky man making way. It's not good news for the Roos, with injury-prone midfielder George Wardlaw one of four outs; Josh Goater, Jacob Konstanty, and Will Dawson have all been omitted, with Riley Hardeman, Paul Curtis, Zac Banch, and Matt Whitlock coming in.
ESPN tip: Magpies by 8 points
Pointsbet odds: Magpies $1.40, Kangaroos $2.85
SATURDAY, JULY 11
St Kilda vs. Port Adelaide
Team news: Just one chance for this game, with Kane Farrell replacing Brandon Zerk-Thatcher for the Power. St Kilda is unchanged.
ESPN tip: Saints by 15 points
Pointsbet odds: Saints $1.64, Power $2.25
GWS vs. Geelong
Team news: There are growing concerns around the form of Jeremy Cameron after another quiet outing against the Lions, but he's been named in Chris Scott's side. Mitch Edwards makes way for Jack Bowes for the Cats, while Jayden Laverde, Xavier O'Halloran, and Phoenix Gothard come in for Lachie Whitfield (concussion), and dropped duo Conor Stone and Josaia Delana.
ESPN tip: Cats by 7 points
Pointsbet odds: Giants $2.35, Cats $1.58
Carlton vs. Hawthorn
Team news: Livewire forward Nick Watson remains out of Hawthorn's big AFL clash with Carlton, but the Hawks regain Jarman Impey and Karl Amon. Ollie Greeves will also make his debut, with Bodie Ryan, Flynn Perez, and Jack Dalton all making way. For the Blues, Harry Dean comes back in for Lewis Young (concussion).
ESPN tip: Hawks by 17 points
Pointsbet odds: Blues $2.80, Hawks $1.44
Adelaide vs. Gold Coast
Team news: Gold Coast forward Ben Long will miss just one match after having his two-match ban by the MRO downgraded at the Tribunal, as the Suns look to snap a six-game losing streak. Ben Jepson also goes out, with Oscar Adams and Will Graham coming in. For the Crows, Wayne Milera, and Riley Thilthorpe come back in with Hugo Hall-Kahan (managed) and Billy Dowling (omitted) going out.
ESPN tip: Crows by 4 points
Pointsbet odds: Crows $1.40, Suns $2.95
SUNDAY, JULY 12
Western Bulldogs vs. West Coast
Team news: The Bulldogs have made five changes, with Rhylee West recalled and Jedd Busslinger and Bailey Williams returning. Nick Coffield (concussion) and Connor Budarick (ankle) are sidelined, while West Coast is unchanged.
ESPN tip: Bulldogs by 37 points
Pointsbet odds: Bulldogs $1.11, Eagles $6.50
Melbourne vs. Richmond
Team news: Melbourne is unchanged after last week's win over Hawthorn. Richmond hands draftee Zane Peucker his AFL debut, with Dion Prestia and Sam Grlj also returning, while Jayden Short (quad) and Jack Ross (concussion) miss out.
ESPN tip: Demons by 31 points
Pointsbet odds: Demons $1.10, Tigers $7.00
Brisbane vs. Essendon
Team news: Brisbane regains Hugh McCluggage and Dayne Zorko, while Darcy Gardiner (hamstring) misses out. Essendon has swung the axe after last week's loss, recalling Archie Roberts and Harry Jones, with Angus Clarke to play his first game of the season.
ESPN tip: Lions by 49 points
Pointsbet odds: Lions $1.01, Bombers $21.00