Round eight was a cracker, featuring thrilling contests such as the epic Carlton Blues versus Collingwood Magpies clash that drew over 88,000 fans to the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

From big winners to tense battles and more, here's how the top teams performed in the latest round of matches. We also look at the latest AFL betting.

Sydney Swans

The Sydney Swans drenched their cross-city rivals GWS Giants in a statement 98-69 victory, with John Longmire's side thriving in the wet conditions.
The Giants were left floundering, and the only cloud on an otherwise perfect outing for the Swans was a worrying head knock for Tom McCartin after a hefty bump from Callum Brown.

Geelong Cats

The MCG witnessed a tense war of attrition as Geelong Cat's unbeaten start to the season was halted in a 74-66 defeat to Melbourne Demons.
Despite a valiant effort, the defeat bumped the Cats to second place on the AFL table, although they remain firmly positioned as title contenders.

GWS Giants

The Giants were dominated by the Swans from the first bounce, but their defeat was aided by a cruel injury to star midfielder Tom Green in the opening quarter.
Adam Kingsley's men faced a true test of their mettle, but their usual spark was missing, leaving them thoroughly outclassed by a rampant Swans outfit.

Melbourne Demons

The Dees flexed their defensive muscles, shutting out the previously unbeaten Cats in a gritty eight-point win at the MCG.
While the Demons weren't clinical enough in front of goal, their stingy defence ensured the points and solidified their top-four position under Simon Goodwin.

Essendon Bombers

Essendon Bombers held off a determined fightback from the West Coast Eagles to secure a nail-biting 77-71 victory.
Bombers coach Brad Scott's pre-match respect for the Eagles proved well-founded, as last year's wooden spooners pushed his side to the limit despite trailing at half time.

Fremantle Dockers

Fremantle Dockers overcame a recent slump with a resounding 103-49 victory against Richmond Tigers, showcasing their renewed confidence.
The Dockers have now won back-to-back games and will be looking to make a statement when they host the high-flying Swans on Friday.

Port Adelaide Power

The Port Adelaide Power supporters are growing increasingly restless after another disappointing performance in a 78-48 defeat to bitter rivals Adelaide Crows - their second loss in three games.
The recurrence of a hamstring injury to Connor Rozee further compounded their woes. The captain limped off the pitch with the same issue despite passing a fitness test.

Carlton Blues

Carlton Blues' sky-high hopes were clipped after a heart-stopping 85-79 defeat to arch-rivals Collingwood Magpies.
After a strong start to the season, the defeat brought Michael Voss' side back to earth as they've now suffered consecutive defeats for the first time this term.

Collingwood Magpies

Reigning champions Collingwood clawed their way back for a blockbuster victory against Carlton, extending their unbeaten streak to five games on the bounce.
Nick Daicos emerged as the hero with a last-minute winner, but it was a complete team performance that got the resilient Pies over the line.

AFL 2024 โ€“ Latest Outright Betting

The 2024 AFL season is in full swing and the Swans have taken flight, soaring to the top of the bookmakers' odds board for the title.

The Sydney-based side are chasing their first championship in over a decade, and their solid start to the season has caught the attention of the fans and punters across the country.

Here are the latest odds for each team to win the AFL crown this season:

  • Sydney Swans - 5.00
  • Geelong Cats - 5.50
  • GWS Giants - 6.00
  • Melbourne Demons - 7.00
  • Carlton Blues - 8.00
  • Collingwood Magpies - 8.00
  • Brisbane Lions - 15.00
  • Port Adelaide Power - 21.00
  • Fremantle Dockers - 26.00
  • Essendon Bombers - 34.00
  • Western Bulldogs - 51.00
  • Adelaide Crows - 67.00
  • St Kilda Saints - 81.00
  • Gold Coast Suns - 126.00
  • West Coast Eagles - 301.00
  • Richmond Tigers - 301.00
  • Hawthorn Hawks - 301.00
  • North Melbourne - 1001.00

While the Swans are the current favourites, reigning champions Collingwood should not be dismissed despite their sluggish start.

Australian punters may view their odds of 8.00 as the value bet in a title race which is attracting interest from bettors in other sports.

The AFL is one of only a handful of competitions that rivals online horse betting in Australia for popularity, highlighting its importance to the gambling industry.

Punters are eager to see how the season unfolds, and even horse racing enthusiasts are paying attention to the AFL title battle, which is shaping up to be a captivating spectacle.