FootyBets.aiFriday Footy Feast: DraftStars AFL Round 8 Slate Breakdown
We’ve got an absolute cracker of a two-game Friday slate for Round 8, kicking off with the Western Bulldogs hosting Fremantle on the fast deck at Docklands, before we head across to South Australia for a brutal Showdown between the Crows and Power at Adelaide Oval. Expect high-possession, end-to-end footy under the roof in Melbourne, contrasted with a contested, tackle-heavy bloodbath in SA. Let’s dive into where the FootyBets.ai algorithms are finding the fantasy gold tonight.
The Algorithm's Favourites
Our AI models are absolutely hammering the Dockers this week. Across our top 10 optimal lineups, a massive five Fremantle players boast a 100% exposure rate.
Luke Ryan (100.0 projected points) and Heath Chapman (75.6 pts) are featured in every single optimal build. They are primed to rack up the +6s mopping up across half-back against the Dogs. In the engine room, Shai Bolton (92.7 pts) has been a revelation in purple and is projected to run riot, while the hard-running Corey Wagner (77.2 pts) is locked in for a big night of link-up play. Up front, young gun Murphy Reid (83.8 pts) is perfectly positioned to hit the scoreboard and gather cheap possessions inside 50.
Outside of the Freo stack, the algorithm loves Crows midfielder Sam Berry (85.0 pts), who features in 70% of optimal builds. Expect him to lay a mountain of tackles and thrive in the stoppage-heavy environment of a fierce Adelaide Showdown.
Position-by-Position Quick Tips
- DEF: Stack the Freo half-backs. Luke Ryan is the safest ceiling play on the slate to anchor your defence, while Chapman offers fantastic structural stability.
- MID: Blend the outside run of Fremantle (Bolton, Wagner) with the inside grunt of Showdown ball-winners. Sam Berry is a tackle-machine, and Port's Jase Burgoyne is popping up in plenty of optimal builds.
- RUC: It’s a Port Adelaide monopoly in the ruck tonight. The AI splits its exposure exactly 50/50 between Jordon Sweet (89.2 pts) and Dante Visentini (64.5 pts). Pick your preferred Power big man.
- FWD: Murphy Reid is the standout target, but don’t sleep on the big Cohuna, Josh Treacy, or Port Adelaide recruit Joe Richards to find the big sticks.
Ready to take out the major prize? Scroll down to check out the FootyBets.ai top 10 optimal builds and lock in your DraftStars lineups!