Opening Round Fantasy takeaways and watchlist: Locks, rookies, roles

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. 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.

Lock and load
Bulldogs recruit Connor Budarick (FWD, $506,000) should find himself in plenty of teams after his Opening Round performance. Budarick found plenty of the ball in defence, scoring 94 thanks to 27 disposals and a goal. Teammate Lachie Jaques (DEF, $230,000) was also good and posted a 76. Another Bulldogs defender, Michael Sellwood (DEF, $230,000) emerged as an option after scoring 61 on debut, while another debutant in Zane Zakostelsky (DEF/RUC, $230,000) also played well to score 55, but his job security is uncertain. Any coaches interested in Dayne Zorko (DEF, $1,065,000) would have liked what they saw with his game-high 142, while Ed Richards (MID, $1,014,000) scored 133.

Rookie radar
Lachie Jaques (DEF, $230,000) – 76 points
Ty Gallop (FWD, $263,000) – 64 points
Michael Sellwood (DEF, $230,000) – 61 points
Zane Zakostelsky (DEF/RUC, $230,000) – 55 points
Cooper Hynes (FWD, $267,000) – 38 points
Arthur Jones (MID/FWD, $327,000) – 31 points

The tempter
Coaches have been waiting to see something from Keidean Coleman (DEF, $559,000) and the Lions defender delivered on Saturday night. The left-footer had 18 disposals and five marks to score 73. That score could have been even bigger, but he spent a large part of the final quarter on the bench.

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).

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)