<p><meta charset="utf-8"></p><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:8pt;margin-top:0pt;" dir="ltr"><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">What a massive weekend of footy we have on the horizon for Round 8! ANZAC weekend delivered in spades and we’re ready to keep the momentum rolling with a fresh set of Kate’s Bolters to help you find value and the players to watch in round 8’s footy action.</span></p><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:8pt;margin-top:0pt;" dir="ltr"><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">We're almost a third of the way into the 2026 season and the cream is starting to rise to the top. We’ve been diving into the data, checking the rotations, and keeping a keen eye on the injury ward to see which players are primed for a big performance this weekend.</span></p><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:8pt;margin-top:0pt;" dir="ltr"><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">From the high-pressure cauldron of the Adelaide Showdown to the spoon-bowl between Richmond and Hawthorn, there are spicy narratives building in Round 8’s footy.</span></p><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:8pt;margin-top:0pt;" dir="ltr"><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Whether you’re looking for a rising star ready to explode or a small forward in vintage form, we’ve got you covered.</span></p><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:8pt;margin-top:0pt;" dir="ltr"><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">For the inside lane on players to watch in the AFL, check out expert Round 8 analysis by Kate McCarthy below.</span></p><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:8pt;margin-top:0pt;" dir="ltr"><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">&nbsp;</span></p><h2 style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:4pt;margin-top:18pt;" dir="ltr"><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:17pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">AFL’s Best Players to Watch in Round 8</span></h2><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:8pt;margin-top:0pt;" dir="ltr"><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">&nbsp;</span></p><h3 style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:4pt;margin-top:14pt;" dir="ltr"><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:13pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Jason Horne-Francis - Port Adelaide</span></h3><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:8pt;margin-top:0pt;" dir="ltr"><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">When it comes to the Showdown, you want to look toward the Port Adelaide engine room.</span></p><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:8pt;margin-top:0pt;" dir="ltr"><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">The Power have been the most restrictive team in the league this season when it comes to opposition midfielders, so I'm steering clear of the Crows' ball-getters and backing the Hornet to sting.</span></p><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:8pt;margin-top:0pt;" dir="ltr"><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Jason Horne-Francis has seen a massive spike in his usage lately; while he's averaged a 50% CBA (Centre Bounce Attendance) rate across the season, that jumped to 70% last week against Geelong.</span></p><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:8pt;margin-top:0pt;" dir="ltr"><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">He’s currently averaging 29.3 disposals over his last three weeks and coming off a monster 34-disposal game. With his power and increased time in the guts, I like him as best on ground in the Showdown.</span></p><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:8pt;margin-top:0pt;" dir="ltr"><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;"><strong>Betting tip:</strong></span><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;"> </span><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/adelaide-crows-v-port-adelaide-10398300"><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Jason Horne-Francis 30+ disposals.</span></a></p><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:8pt;margin-top:0pt;" dir="ltr"><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">&nbsp;</span></p><h3 style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:4pt;margin-top:14pt;" dir="ltr"><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:13pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Jobe Shanahan - West Coast Eagles</span></h3><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:8pt;margin-top:0pt;" dir="ltr"><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">The Baby Eagles are finding their wings and Jobe Shanahan is one of the young talls I'm most excited about.</span></p><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:8pt;margin-top:0pt;" dir="ltr"><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">The 19-year-old has already kicked four goals this season and looked dangerous last week, finishing with 1.2 from three shots on goal.</span></p><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:8pt;margin-top:0pt;" dir="ltr"><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">With the opposition's number one defender almost certainly going to Jake Waterman, Shanahan is going to get the second-best matchup every single time.</span></p><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:8pt;margin-top:0pt;" dir="ltr"><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">He has the height and the hands to dominate in the air, and I think this is the week he bags a few.</span></p><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:8pt;margin-top:0pt;" dir="ltr"><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;"><strong>Betting tip:</strong></span><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;"> </span><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/west-coast-eagles-v-richmond-10398303"><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Jobe Shanahan 3+ goals.</span></a></p><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:8pt;margin-top:0pt;" dir="ltr"><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">&nbsp;</span></p><h3 style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:4pt;margin-top:14pt;" dir="ltr"><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:13pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Hugo Garcia - St Kilda</span></h3><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:8pt;margin-top:0pt;" dir="ltr"><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Keep a very close eye on Hugo Garcia as the Saints prepare for Saturday night. The stats tell a clear story for Garcia in 2026: in Saints wins, he averages a hefty 26.3 disposals, but that drops to just 18 in losses.</span></p><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:8pt;margin-top:0pt;" dir="ltr"><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">I’m tipping St Kilda to get the job done comfortably this weekend, which sets the table for a Garcia masterclass.</span></p><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:8pt;margin-top:0pt;" dir="ltr"><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">He’s been in great touch lately, averaging 27.3 disposals over his last three games. If the Saints control the tempo as expected, look for him to clear the 26+ mark with ease.</span></p><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:8pt;margin-top:0pt;" dir="ltr"><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;"><strong>Betting tip:</strong></span><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;"> </span><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/carlton-v-st-kilda-10398327"><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Hugo Garcia 26+ disposals.</span></a></p><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:8pt;margin-top:0pt;" dir="ltr"><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">&nbsp;</span></p><h3 style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:4pt;margin-top:14pt;" dir="ltr"><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:13pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Charlie Cameron - Brisbane Lions</span></h3><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:8pt;margin-top:0pt;" dir="ltr"><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">King Charles is officially back to his brilliant best. After a slightly quiet start to the year, the Lions' legend has found his groove, slotting three goals and four goals respectively over the past two weeks.</span></p><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:8pt;margin-top:0pt;" dir="ltr"><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Brisbane love the fast track at Marvel Stadium and Charlie is the kind of player who can tear a game open in a 10-minute burst.</span></p><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:8pt;margin-top:0pt;" dir="ltr"><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Charlie’s in form, get down to Marvel and enjoy the show this Saturday.</span></p><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:8pt;margin-top:0pt;" dir="ltr"><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;"><strong>Betting tip:</strong></span><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;"> </span><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/carlton-v-st-kilda-10398327"><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Charlie Cameron 3+ goals.</span></a></p><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:8pt;margin-top:0pt;" dir="ltr"><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">&nbsp;</span></p><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:8pt;margin-top:0pt;" dir="ltr"><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Odds are subject to change.*</span></p>