This preview has expired.

See all our latest betting tips or suggested betting sites

Monday 22
Tuesday 23
Wednesday 24
Thursday 25
Friday 26
Saturday 27
Sunday 28
Monday 29
Tuesday 30
Wednesday 1
Thursday 2

Brisbane Lions vs Carlton AFL Round 9 Tips - Nightmare to go from bad to worse for Carlton

Adam Cusworth

Editor

Last updated: Thu 07 May 2026 11:32

Adam Cusworth 07 May 2026

Share this article

The game will be played at The Gabba on Friday, 8th May, with the bounce at 7:20 PM (AEST)
Same old Carlton or can the Blues sustain a four quarter performance?
Preview, expert analysis, stats, team news & best bet

Brisbane Lions vs Carlton AFL Round 9 Tips

Brisbane Lions vs Carlton, Round 9 2026 - Expert Prediction

Brisbane Lions vs Carlton, Round 9 2026 - Expert Prediction
Head to Head Stats
Brisbane Lions Form Analysis
Carlton Form Analysis
Brisbane Lions vs Carlton Team List & News
Brisbane Lions Team News
Carlton Team News

Brisbane will make Carlton’s season go from bad to worse when they hand the Blues a comprehensive defeat at the GABBA on Friday night.

This shapes as a game where Brisbane’s depth and scoring power completely overwhelms Carlton, particularly through the midfield and forward half. Lachie Neale and Will Ashcroft are both averaging close to 30 disposals and will combine with Hugh McCluggage to give the Lions too much class and composure around the contest.

That trio doesn’t just win the ball — they use it cleanly — and against a Carlton side that has struggled to defend transition, it sets up repeat inside 50s and constant scoreboard pressure.

The biggest issue for Carlton is they simply won’t be able to contain Brisbane’s spread of goal threats. Zac Bailey, Kai Lohmann and Logan Morris have all been hitting the scoreboard consistently, while Charlie Cameron looms as the X-factor at ground level and has a proven record against the Blues.

Brisbane don’t rely on one or two forwards — they come at you in waves — and that evenness makes them incredibly difficult to shut down when they get on top . Expect multiple players to hit the scoreboard again, with Cameron particularly dangerous for multiple goals if the ball lives in Brisbane’s front half.

Carlton’s defensive issues are the major red flag heading into this. Their inability to handle momentum swings was exposed again last week, conceding nine unanswered goals either side of half-time in another collapse.

Michael Voss has been clear that the Blues are not defending for long enough and are being opened up in transition when teams get on top. That is exactly the type of pressure Brisbane apply — once they get a run on, they score heavily and quickly, and Carlton have shown they cannot stem that tide.

Even when Carlton get their hands on the ball, they have struggled to convert and maintain scoreboard pressure. Patrick Cripps and Sam Walsh will have moments, but unless they can dominate clearance and territory for extended periods — something they haven’t been able to sustain — the Lions’ system and pressure will force turnovers and punish them the other way.

This has all the makings of a blowout. Brisbane’s midfield depth, their ability to generate repeat entries and their spread of scoring options are simply too much for a Carlton side lacking confidence and defensive resilience. If the Lions get on top early, the game can open up quickly, and given Carlton’s recent second-half fadeouts, last week may well prove the breaking point for their season.

Take Brisbane to win comfortably in the 40+ range, with Darcy Wilmot controlling the game from half-back and Charlie Cameron a standout to hit the scoreboard multiple times.

Brisbane have won their past two matches by more than 50 points.
Carlton come in with a 1-7 win-loss record
Charlie Cameron has kicked 17 goals in his past seven matches against the Blues
Darcy Wilmot had 32 disposals last weekend and had 31 the last time he played Carlton

Head to Head Stats

Brisbane have won seven of the past eight head to heads with the only loss a one-point margin in the Opening Round of 2024. They Lions avenged that defeat later in the season with a 28-point win in the Elimination Final, while were 37-point winners in the only meeting in 2025, with that coming at Marvel Stadium.

Notable player performances in the recent head to head meetings have come from;

Sam Walsh (Blues)- 25+ disposals in his seven matches against the Lions, with 30+ in four of those
Charlie Cameron (Lions)- 2+ goals in his past seven against Carlton for a total of 17
Ben Ainsworth (Blues)- at least one goal in nine of his past 10 against the Lions for a total of 12
Darcy Wilmot (Lions)- 31 disposals the last time he played the Blues

Brisbane Lions Form Analysis

After a slow and injury-affected start to the season that saw them lose their first two matches, the Lions have since won five of their past six and sit 4th on the ladder with a 5-3 win-loss record.

They were dominant against Essendon at Marvel Stadium when winning by 64 points, following up from their 52-point triumph over Adelaide at the GABBA a week prior to that.

Zac Bailey, Kai Lohmann and Logan Morris all kicked four goals. Bailey has kicked seven in the past fortnight and has produced 2+ and 20+ disposals games in four of his past five. Morris, Lohmann and Charlie Cameron are averaging 2+ goals per game in 2026, while a host if midfielders are averaging over 25+ disposals, including Lachie Neale (30.6 per game) and Will Ashcroft (28).

The Lions head to the GABBA for the fourth time this season and have won two of their three matches at their home ground in 2026.

Carlton Form Analysis

Carlton sit at 1-7 and have been in winning positions in a number of their losses, including last weekend when leading St Kilda by eight points at the main break before conceding 11 goals to two after half-time to lose by 39.

That has continued a concerning trends in 2026 where they have simply been unable to find a way to arrest momentum swings within games, piling more pressure on their coach, Michael Voss.

Patrick Cripps had one of his quietest matches in some time with just 14 disposals, while Ollie Florent produced one of his best games since swithching to the Blues with 30 disposals. Brodie Kemp booted three goals and has kicked 14 from eight matches this season. Mitch McGovern leads the Blues goalkicking table with 16 from eight.

Carlton are generating enough opportunities to be competitive, but their inability to take their moments continues to cost them, particularly in high-pressure situations late in games.

Brisbane Lions vs Carlton Team List & News

Brisbane Lions Team News

Ty Gallop will miss with concussion, while Jarrod Berry and Darcy Gardiner remain on the sidelines. James Tunstill, Tom Doedee and Darragh Joyce are among those with some solid form in the VFL and will come under consideration to be selected.

Carlton Team News

Lachie Cowan and Harry Dean pulled up with issues out of the St Kilda match and will be out to prove their fitness during the week. George Hewett continues to produce big numbers in the VFL but cannot get a look in, while Lachie Fogarty and Lewis Young are among others with some solid form at that level and are knocking on the door for senior selection.

Brisbane Lions	POS	Carlton
K. Coleman, H. Andrews, R. Lester	B	H. Dean, J. Weitering, N. Haynes
D. Wilmot, J. Fletcher, D. Zorko	HB	L. Cowan, O. Florent, A. Saad
H. McCluggage, W. Ashcroft, L. Ashcroft	C	O. Hollands, P. Cripps, M. Carroll
C. Cameron, C. Curtin, Z. Bailey	HF	B. Ainsworth, M. McGovern, F. Evans
S. Draper, C. Rayner, L. Morris	F	J. Smith, H. McKay, B. Kemp
D. Fort, J. Dunkley, L. Neale	FOLL	M. Pittonet, G. Hewett, S. Walsh
K. Lohmann, L. McCarthy, C. McKenna, B. Reville, Z. Zakostelsky	I/C	B. Wilson, N. Newman, A. Cerra, Z. Williams, W. Hayward

Brisbane Lions vs Carlton AFL 2026 Round 9 FAQ’s

How to watch Brisbane Lions vs Carlton AFL 2026 Round 9?

You can watch the Brisbane Lions vs Carlton AFL 2026 Round 9 game via Fox Sports or Kayo Sports. If you are watching from outside of Australia the WatchAFL app is the perfect solution.

How to buy tickets to Brisbane Lions vs Carlton AFL 2026 Round 9?

To buy tickets to the Brisbane Lions vs Carlton AFL 2026 Round 9 game check the AFL website or the official Brisbane Lions site.

Verdict

Brisbane Lions v Carlton Blues

Brisbane comfortably with Wilmot and Cameron among the contributers

Brisbane Lions 40+

Margin

$1.80 - 1 Unit

Challenger 'NextBet' is here

18+. T&Cs apply

Bet at NextBet

Darcy Wilmot 25+

Player Totals- Disposals

$1.91 - 1 Unit

The GOAT.

Ahead of the Game.

Join Australia's newest online bookmaker with code BETSAU and enjoy exciting new ways to bet. The app is among the fastest in the market. What are you prepared to lose today? Set a deposit limit.

Bet at betr

Charlie Cameron 3+

Player Totals- Goals

$2.20 - 1 Unit

Download the dabble app

with referral code BETSAU

Download the dabble app, enter referral code BETSAU to enjoy Dabble, the betting app with a difference! Bet as normal with & also be part of Australia's betting community where you can follow punters and sports stars, copy their bets, have banter with your mates & watch Sky Racing channels. 18+. T&Cs apply. What are you prepared to lose today? Set a deposit limit.

Bet at dabble