Round 22 of the AFL season is here, and with the top-four and wildcard races both intensifying, the big performances are only going to keep coming.

We've got a veteran forward who owns a particular stadium, a reliable disposal machine returning to his best, a young Geelong tall whose goal-kicking run has been one of the quiet stories of the second half of the season and a Hawk who may have just found his feet at exactly the right moment.

Here are Kate’s bolters for Round 22 - get on them before the lines tighten.

For the inside lane on the best AFL bets, check out Kate McCarthy's list of the best AFL bets and players to watch in Round 22 below.

Best AFL Players to Add to Your Multi - Round 22

Jack Darling - North Melbourne Kangaroos

Marvel Stadium and Jack Darling have a beautiful relationship that just keeps on giving.

The veteran Roos forward has kicked two or more goals in five of his last six games at the ground, a record that deserves serious attention when you look at Thursday night's fixture.

The Bulldogs have struggled to contain three tall forwards all season and Darling operating in support of Nick Larkey is a matchup the Dogs' back six really won't enjoy.

He knows this venue. He produces at this venue. I'd be backing him to do it again here.

Betting tip: Jack Darling 2+ goals.

Jake Bowey - Melbourne Demons

After battling back from a pre-season Lisfranc injury that threatened to derail his 2026 entirely, Jake Bowey has spent the second half of the season quietly reminding everyone just how reliable he is.

Over his last five games, the Demons' dashing backman has averaged 26.6 disposals and in three of those five outings he has reached 29 or more.

Against a Fremantle side that stretches the ground and pushes play wide off halfback, Bowey will get every opportunity to find the ball coming out of defence at the MCG on Saturday.

The 25-disposal line looks well within reach based on everything he's put on the board lately.

Betting tip: Jake Bowey 25+ disposals.

Ollie Henry - Geelong Cats

Here is a number worth paying attention to this Saturday: Essendon have given up 17 goals to opposition key forwards across their last two games.

Meanwhile, Ollie Henry has kicked nine goals across his last three outings, quietly compiling one of the most consistent goal-kicking stretches on the Geelong list this season.

The matchup at GMHBA Stadium against a Bombers defence that has been repeatedly exposed this year is as good as it gets for a player in this kind of form.

Geelong's forward structure is built to get Henry first use inside 50 and I simply can't see the Bombers having an answer for him on Saturday afternoon.

Betting tip: Ollie Henry 3+ goals.

Brodie Kemp - Hawthorn Hawks

Brodie Kemp put his hand up in the biggest possible way last week, booting five goals against the Lions in one of the more eye-catching individual performances of Hawthorn's season.

Over his last three games, the Hawks forward has averaged 3.7 shots on goal per game,  a level of consistency that suggests last week was no accident.

The confidence he takes into Friday night's return against Brisbane cannot be overstated, and a player who has found this kind of groove is worth following across back-to-back matches.

I think the Lions will be very aware of him; but being aware of him and stopping him are two entirely different things right now.

Betting tip: Brodie Kemp 2+ goals.

Odds are subject to change.*