Back for another week, the SEN.com.au team gives you an insight into how every game will play out across the weekend.
Labelling something a ‘certainty’ in any sport is fraught with danger.
But we’ll attempt to find some anyway.
Here is what we consider certainties for the eight remaining games in Round 8.
Richmond versus West Coast
Short to have 25+ disposals (including 17+ kicks)
Jayden Short has been prolific since his return from injury, amassing 30 and 32 disposals in his last two outings.
He is Richmond’s trusted kicker, tallying 46 kicks in those two games.
Against the Eagles in his last three, Short has had 22, 31 and 26 disposals with 66 of those 79 being kicks.
With the rain expected to fall in Melbourne on Saturday, it could be a smart move to kick long at all costs and if that is the case, Short is the man for the Tigers.
We’re with him to have 25-plus disposals with at least 17 of those being kicks.
Allen and Darling to both kick at least a goal
It might be wet at the MCG on Saturday but that shouldn’t dampen the spirits of West Coast’s key forwards.
Oscar Allen leads the Eagles for goals in 2023 with 18, while Jack Darling has kicked nine.
Allen kicked 2.2 against the Tigers last time he played them (in 2021). Darling has kicked 31 goals in 13 matches against the Tiges at an average of 2.38.
If the Eagles are to put up a fight, Allen and Darling simply must hit the scoreboard.
Andrew Slevison
Geelong versus Adelaide
Jeremy Cameron and Tom Hawkins to combine or 5+ goals
There’s every chance the duo could boot more than five majors each, but they’ll certainly link up for more than a few.
Last week was a perfect example of Cameron and Hawkins working together to isolate whoever is hot. Cameron still managed three goals but it was all the Hawkins show with eight.
Expect the same again. The most in-form key forward duo will have a massive say in a crucial clash for both sides.
Reilly O’Brien for 40+ hitouts & 10+ disposals
This week O’Brien will meet Jon Ceglar in the ruck. The 32-year-old has only played once this year and four times overall for the Cats, and was last week overlooked for Sam De Koning in the ruck.
Ceglar has been in decent form in the VFL, but doesn’t have the game to nullify O’Brien. The Crows star has been in his side’s best often to start the season and has recorded over 40 hitouts in each of his last three games.
O’Brien could have a big say on Adelaide’s midfielders getting first use and stopping the Cats in their tracks.
Seb Mottram
Gold Coast versus Melbourne
Ben King to kick 2 or more goals
Gold Coast forward Ben King has began to find some form.
After missing last season with a knee injury, the star forward was slow out of the blocks in 2023 but has since kicked nine goals in his last two games.
While Melbourne have some of the competition’s best key defenders, King is clearly the Suns’ focal point inside 50 and they’ll be looking for him to help kick a winning form.
Expect his strong form to continue.
Christian Petracca to have 25+ disposals and kick at least one goal
Christian Petracca loves playing against Gold Coast.
In his last three games against the Suns, the superstar midfielder has picked up the three Brownlow votes in each of those occasions.
Last time the teams met, Petracca picked up 40 disposals, while he’s also averaging more than a goal against Gold Coast across his career.
With Touk Miller sidelined, Petracca could run riot against Gold Coast for a fourth-straight game.
He’s in good touch and you’d expect him to have a big say in this contest.
Lachlan Geleit
Greater Western Sydney versus Western Bulldogs
Stephen Coniglio 25+ disposals, 4+ clearances
Stephen Coniglio has returned to his absolute best this season.
Coming into 2023 unburdened by leadership, the GWS midfielder looks as damaging as he did five years ago, playing a pivotal role in the Giants’ engine room.
An absolute ball magnet, Coniglio is averaging 30.3 touches and 6.7 clearances per game this year and is good for some of the best stat lines in the competition.
Expect him to perform against the Bulldogs.
Tim English 15+ disposals, 20+ hitouts
In the absence of Max Gawn for much of the early goings, Tim English has taken the helm of best ruckman in the competition.
While he does plenty of work around the ground, English still gets time to fill the stat sheet, averaging 19.3 possessions and 27.6 hitouts across the first seven rounds.
While he didn’t have his best day out last week, collecting just 11 touches, that marked the first time this season that English didn’t exceed the 15-disposal mark.
The versatile big man is set return to dominance against the Giants.
Jack Makeham
Fremantle versus Hawthorn
Dylan Moore to have 20 or more disposals
Dylan Moore had a terrific start to the year as the young leader turned midfielder but it's fair to say he's tailed off a little bit the last month.
With Changkuoth Jiath and Luke Breust both missing, players like Moore will need to step up if the Hawks are any chance to beat the Dockers in Perth.
The last two times Moore has faced Fremantle he's played really well, playing as a small forward, Moore has had 18 and 19 disposals respectively.
Now playing as a midfielder, Moore will eclipse the 20 disposal mark on Saturday night.
Lock it in.
Andrew Brayshaw to have 25 or more disposals
Averaging over 26 disposals this year, Fremantle's premier midfielder will light it up on Saturday night in a must-win game for his side.
This might sound harsh, but Brayshaw has had a disappointing start to 2023 in a year many predicted the young Docker to become one of the competition's premier midfielders.
The last two times he's faced the Hawks, he's had a whopping 37 and 32 disposals in best-on-ground performances and there's not enough said about players' confidence against sides they've performed really well against in the past.
Given how poorly the Dockers have started this year, Brayshaw will be leading from the front and have 25 or more disposals.
Hugh Fitzpatrick
Port Adelaide versus Essendon
Horne-Francis 6+ clearances
When Jason Horne-Francis plays well, Port Adelaide plays well. That has been the case generally across the 2023 season.
He won 11 clearances against St Kilda and is averaging 6.3 per game across the year to date.
Against another quality unit in Essendon, expect Horne-Francis to rise to the occasion and deliver at the source.
Sam Weideman 2+ goals
Port Adelaide has struggled to curtail opposition key forwards and Sam Weideman has quietly put together a good run of form.
He booted five goals on reigning premier Geelong last week following a strong performance on Anzac Day.
He has found a home for himself at the Dons and is going to have an impact against the Power.
Nic Negrepontis
Collingwood versus Sydney
Ryan Clarke to restrict Nick Daicos to under 25 touches
In the two matches these two sides played last year, Clarke was given the responsibility of tagging Nick Daicos and to this point, is the only player to have successfully done so.
Daicos averaged 24 touches across the two encounters and had plenty of uncharacteristic turnovers. Expect Clarke to do the same on Sunday afternoon.
Tom Papley to kick three or more goals
Papley became enemy number one in the eyes of all Collingwood fans after a dubious free kick in the preliminary final which ultimately proved vital.
However, there is no denying that when he is on, Papley is the best small forward in the game and he will certainly rise to the occasion. Isaac Quaynor will likely be tasked with shutting down Papley and the Swans goal sneak will be licking his lips.
Charles Goodsir
North Melbourne versus St Kilda
Luke Davies Uniacke 25+ disposlas, 5+ clearances
If LDU is the player we think he is, he’ll bring a strong contest to the Saints on Sunday afternoon.
He started the year as one of the hottest players in the competition but has battled multiple injuries over the last month and a bit.
The Roos have been embarrassed in their last three games and you can bet Alastair Clarkson would have got into his star midfielder ahead of this Round 8 clash.
If he can get close to his Round 1 and 2 form, 25 touches and five clearances will be a breeze.
Mason Wood for 20+ disposals and 3+ inside 50s
Lining up against his old side in the Roos, Wood will show his ex-teammates just how far he’s improved.
The 29-year-old has brought form few thought he could in 2023 and has emerged into one of the Saints' most damaging players.
He hasn’t dropped below 20 touches in a St Kilda win this year and his lethal kick can cut North to shreds.
Expect him to put forward another game where fans are left thinking Wood is the frontrunner for an All-Australian wing position.
Seb Mottram