IT’S the new Fantasy cheat sheet.
While AFL Fantasy begins in round one, Opening Round gives coaches a free look at some of the players they’ve been considering in the pre-season.
Lock and load
Jagga Smith (MID, $230,000) delivered one final reminder to coaches about his ability with a strong debut for the Blues, finishing 27 disposals and 82 points. He should be locked onto your field in the midfield. Jai Serong (DEF, $274,000) played well for Sydney on the wing and is another player who locked himself into Fantasy teams after his 72. If you’re prepared to ignore the early bye, Errol Gulden (MID, $1,073,000) starred on Thursday night with a 126-point performance as he popped up all over the ground – he had 19 centre bounce attendances and also took a kick in – while Sam Walsh (MID, $977,000) finished with 99.
Rookie radar
Jagga Smith (MID, $230,000) – 82 points
Jai Serong (DEF, $274,000) – 72 points
Harry Dean (DEF, $342,000) – 48 points
Malcolm Rosas jnr (FWD, $350,000) – 40 points
The tempter
Has Oliver Florent (MID, $629,000) flown under the radar this pre-season? The new Blue scored 85 playing across half-back on Thursday night, well above the 60 he is priced at. That backed up the 80 he scored in the AAMI Community Series. He could face some Match Review scrutiny after catching Isaac Heeney in the head with his knee in the second quarter. Cooper Lord (MID, $630,000) had a huge first half, when he scored 53 of his 76 points, but his role on the wing may not have been what coaches were hoping for, before he got some CBAs in the second half.
Lock and load
Christian Petracca (MID/FWD, $948,000) made quite the impression on his Gold Coast debut. The superstar looked at his brilliant best with 34 disposals and three goals on his way to 121 points. Leo Lombard (FWD, $230,000) showed why he is a popular rookie, scoring 75 thanks to 15 disposals and two goals. Mid-priced option Tanner Bruhn (MID, $517,000) played mostly behind the ball and was one of the Cats’ better performers, scoring 98 after 31 disposals.
Rookie radar
Leo Lombard (FWD, $230,000) – 75 points
Oscar Adams (DEF, $260,000) – 44 points
Zeke Uwland (DEF/MID, $346,000) – 42 points
The tempter
Zeke Uwland (DEF/MID, $346,000) has given Fantasy coaches headaches this pre-season, and Friday night did little to ease those. Playing on a wing, the No.2 draft pick showed what he is capable of with 41 points in the first half. Just as he looked like a lock, he scored one point in the second. He played 62 per cent of the game. The Suns play West Coast and Richmond in rounds one and two, adding to a tricky decision for coaches.
Premium guide
It’s unsurprising that the most popular premium across these two teams is Lachie Whitfield (DEF, $1,104,000). But the Giants half-back will need a big score to tempt coaches, while Clayton Oliver (MID, $941,000) and Lachie Ash (DEF, $1,050,000) could also become options.
Most owned
Connor Macdonald (FWD, $714,000) – 22.1 per cent
Harry Rowston (MID, $544,000) – 13 per cent
James Leake (DEF/FWD, $262,000) – 9.7 per cent
Lachie Whitfield (DEF, $1,104,000) – 9.2 per cent
Clayton Oliver (MID, $941,000) – 5.4 per cent
Role watch
Just how much midfield time will two potential forward options get? That will be the question as coaches keep an eye on Hawk Connor Macdonald (FWD, $714,000) and Giants star Toby Greene (FWD, $850,000), who have both been tipped for more midfield minutes. It’s worth noting Cam Mackenzie is sidelined for the Hawks this week with concussion.
Toby Greene is seen during Greater Western Sydney’s AAMI Community Series clash against Sydney on February 26, 2026. Picture: Getty Images
The Opening Round tempter
Harry Rowston (MID, $544,000) already has plenty of interest from coaches, and that could increase if he can score well in Opening Round. There are opportunities in the Giants’ midfield and Rowston averaged around 73 in his non-sub games in 2025, which is well above the approximately 52 he is priced at. Just how much midfield time he gets will be something to keep an eye on.
Rookie radar
(confirmed starters priced at $350k or under)
Josaia Delana (FWD, $232,000)
Phoenix Gothard (FWD, $230,000)
Premium guide
As the uncertainty over rucks built, Tim English (RUC, $1,162,000) produced a monstrous AAMI Community Series performance. If the Bulldog can back that up, he will be hard to ignore even with his early bye. Marcus Bontempelli (MID, $1,167,000) is popular but will need a big score.
Most owned
Lachie Jaques (DEF, $230,000) – 37.2 per cent
Tim English (RUC, $1,162,000) – 31.5 per cent
Keidean Coleman (DEF, $559,000) – 18.2 per cent
Marcus Bontempelli (MID, $1,167,000) – 15.9 per cent
Zane Zakostelsky (DEF/RUC, $230,000) – 9.8 per cent
Role watch
Connor Budarick (FWD, $506,000) has settled into defence at the Bulldogs but will be a player to watch with Bailey Dale returning. And just where will Joel Freijah (MID/FWD, $748,000) line up? The young gun has been tipped for more midfield time this year, but the Bulldogs’ engine room is deep.
Connor Budarick handballs during the Western Bulldogs’ match simulation against Sydney on February 19, 2026. Picture: AFL Photos
The Opening Round tempter
It’s one last chance for Keidean Coleman (DEF, $559,000) to impress coaches after an unconvincing pre-season to date. The classy left-footer played mostly forward in the match simulation and then struggled to score in defence in the AAMI Community Series, even with Dayne Zorko absent. Will he deliver in Opening Round?
Keidean Coleman in action during a Brisbane training session on July 24, 2025. Picture: Getty Images
Rookie radar
(confirmed starters priced at $350k or under)
Lachie Jaques (DEF, $230,000)
Michael Sellwood (DEF, $230,000)
Zane Zakostelsky (DEF/RUC, $230,000)
Arthur Jones (MID/FWD, $327,000)
Cooper Hynes (FWD, $267,000)
Ty Gallop (FWD, $263,000)
Premium guide
The temptation is real for coaches – as seen in the most owned list below – despite these teams having an early bye. Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (DEF, $1,163,000) could take his game to another level this year, and it leaves room for Jack Sinclair (DEF, $1,057,000) to dominate in defence. And Nick Daicos (MID, $1,134,000) delivered in a brilliant performance in AAMI AFL Origin to remind coaches of what he is capable of.
Most owned
Sam Flanders (FWD, $716,000) – 59.5 per cent
Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (DEF, $1,163,000) – 45.1 per cent
Mattaes Phillipou (FWD, $610,000) – 34.9 per cent
Nick Daicos (MID, $1,134,000) – 27.8 per cent
Jack Sinclair (DEF, $1,057,000) – 12.3 per cent
Role watch
Jack Carroll (MID, $332,000) has moved to half-back for the Saints in what looks like a very friendly Fantasy role. The left-footer has the likes of Jack Sinclair (DEF, $1,057,000) alongside him. Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (DEF, $1,163,000) looks set to spend more time forward, while coaches will want to see another good game in the middle from Mattaes Phillipou (FWD, $610,000).
Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera poses for a photo during St Kilda’s official team photo day on January 27, 2026. Picture: AFL Photos
The Opening Round tempter
Can Marcus Windhager (MID, $860,000) back up his AAMI Community Series performance? The Saint scored 140 against Essendon as he looks set to split his time between the defence and midfield in 2026. This game could be the perfect illustration as to how much flexibility the Saints want from Windhager this season. Will he tag Nick Daicos (MID, $1,134,000) again? The Pies are also looking to get Dan Houston (DEF, $701,000) more of the ball so his role will be intriguing.
Rookie radar
(confirmed starters priced at $350k or under)
Wil Parker (DEF, $302,000)
Jack Carroll (MID, $332,000)
