FOR THE first time in AFLW Fantasy history we have a split round one fixture! Do not despair though, we have a guide for you, as we all navigate this new fixture and maximise our chances for AFLW Fantasy success.

The pre-season is mere hours away from being over, and with it the excitement rollercoaster of the home and away season will begin.

AFLW FANTASY Pick your team now

The St Kilda-Carlton double-header at Marvel Stadium on Sunday does mean that two of the AFLW's 18 teams will be locking out on the Fantasy platform several days earlier than the balance of the competition. That might seem a little difficult, but let those worries wash away, as working through this fixture quirk is very manageable (thanks to a very small number of "relevant" Fantasy options in the game).

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Who are the most popular Saints and Blues?

St Kilda

1. Ash Richards (MID/FWD, $716,000) – approx. 38 per cent ownership
2. Serene Watson (DEF, $810,000) – 22 per cent
3. Olivia Vesely (MID/FWD, $489,000) – 7 per cent
4. Sophie Butterworth (FWD, $200,000) – 4 per cent
5. Jesse Tawhiao-Wardlaw (FWD, $676,000) – 3 per cent

Carlton

1. Erone Fitzpatrick (MID/FWD, $765,000) – approx. 17 per cent ownership
2. Claudia Whitfort (MID, $537,000) – 13 per cent
3. Sophie McKay (FWD, $561,000) – injured and not selected to play.
4. Siofra O'Connell (DEF, $218,000) – 6 per cent
5. Yasmin Duursma (MID, $559,000) – 4 per cent

Who to pick from the first game?

First and foremost, the best option to pick in this game is Claudia Whitfort (MID, $637,000). Priced at only 59, she has been capable of 90-plus across a season at her previous club (Gold Coast). There were questions to be asked of her role and time on ground, particularly after she only played for 47 per cent of the official practice match, but now that Sophie McKay and Keeley Sherar are out with injury, her spot in the centre bounce midfield has been elevated.

The other two options worth considering are Serene Watson (DEF, $810,000) and Erone Fitzpatrick (MID/FWD, $765,000). Both feel likely to be in or around the top six players in their respective lines – I personally believe that Watson is much closer to the top, or more accurately, that much better than the 10th to 15th best defender, than Fitzpatrick. The case for not picking either is that with their elevated prices, both will limit your flexibility in picking the rest of your Fantasy squad over the coming week.

While there are a handful of rookie-priced options playing in this game, none fill us with confidence. Siofra O'Connell (DEF, $218,000) was the highest scorer in the pre-season games (57), and with very few options in defence, shapes as the sole possible option, albeit not a top four rookie among defenders. Check out Free Kick's rookie bible here.

What’s next on the content agenda?

On Tuesday, the Free Kick team will bring you a podcast reviewing the opening game and previewing the rest, and will do their annual 'draft a team' to help you with your starting selections.

Jono's team reveal will also land on Tuesday.

The Ultimate Fantasy Guide will also go live, with rookies to be included as they are confirmed.

Teams for Hawthorn v Melbourne will be announced on Wednesday at 6.20pm AEST.

Then, teams for Friday and Saturday games and squads for Sunday will arrive at 6.20pm AEST on Thursday, with Friday 5pm bringing the final teams for Sunday's games.

Get expert advice from Free Kick during the pre-season in the Fantasy Hub. Follow AFL Fantasy on Twitter and Instagram and 'like' the Facebook page to join in the conversation.