WITH the AFLW season one game in, our starting squads are starting to take better shape.
A few unexpected roles across the practice matches has new faces emerging in AFLW Fantasy teams, while a few pop scores from in-form players in the practice matches demand our attention!
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This article breaks my current Fantasy team into four categories, based on how likely they are to be in my final team:
- The 'Locks': Players who haven't left the squad and aren't changing in the foreseeable future;
- The 'Highly Likelys': Marginally less confident, but on the whole, they have been consistently in my draft squads, and have very few flags or question marks;
- The 'Probables': Players with great upside but come with more risk, be it because of role, health, or price; and
- The 'Possibles': The players who have most consistently changed.
With injury reporting and team announcements flowing in, the squad still has a few hoops to jump through!
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The Locks
Charlie Thomas (DEF, $702,000), Ebony Marinoff (MID, $1,372,000), Jasmine Garner (MID, $1,246,000), Alyce Parker (MID, $848,000), Chloe Bown (MID, $280,000), Sunny Lappin (MID, $285,000), Lily Quigley (MID, $200,000), Mikayla Bowen (MID/FWD, $980,000), Lauren Young (FWD, $389,000)
Marinoff (152 in the practice match) and Garner continue to form the bedrock of my Fantasy side, having featured in every iteration so far. I have no concerns about Garner missing the practice games, featuring in the Australia v Ireland match and winning the best on ground award.
But some new faces have quickly become guarantees in my starting squad. Bowen (144) was exceptional in the practice match against Brisbane in a new midfield role, and has demanded a pick in my forward line. Parker (91) is a reliable value premium that looks to be back to full fitness this season. But the real surprise was Thomas (89) starring in a new inside midfield role for West Coast, a role that could see her become a top line defender once more.
Finally, plenty of rookies are putting their hands up for round one, but four in particular look to have a Fantasy game about them as well. Bown (83), Young (87), Lappin (62) and Quigley (82) are all highly touted youngsters that I am locking into my side, assuming they are picked to play in round one.
The Highly Likelys
Chantel Emonson (DEF, $470,000), Molly O'Hehir (DEF, $376,000), Zoe Wakfer (DEF, $280,000), Havana Harris (FWD, $646,000), Teah Charlton (MID/FWD, $590,000), Elaine Grigg (FWD, $574,000), Ella Slocombe (FWD, $328,000)
In a line with few value options, Emonson (56) and O'Hehir (76) have settled into the D5/6 spots for some time now. Emonson is returning to a defensive distributor role at the Cats after a season away, and notably is taking a fair chunk of the Cats' kick ins. O'Hehir on the other hand, appears set for a second-season breakout – her intercepting strengths and footy IQ should see her score decently across half-back, particularly while teammate Maeve Chaplin is out of the side rehabilitating a foot injury. Wakfer (90) looks to have taken a big step in the off-season, taking a prominent intercepting role for the Eagles.
The other end of the field is set for some breakout performances too. Harris (105) is another looking to take further steps in her second season, looking dangerous up forward for the Suns in her practice match against Carlton. Charlton (75) and Grigg (114) have both worked their way into midfield roles for their respective teams this season, which should give them plenty of opportunity to build their scores. Grigg's tackling pressure in particular has me excited about the scoring potential she can deliver in 2026. Lastly, Slocombe (60) switched clubs in the off-season and now looks poised for a great role at West Coast, patrolling the wing with her terrific endurance.
The Probables
Maddison Gay (DEF, $795,000), Evie Cowcher (DEF, $250,000), Abbey Dowrick (MID, $938,000), Claudia Whitfort (MID, $637,000), Georja Davies (RUC, $260,000), Mischa Barwin (MID/FWD, $200,000)
It has been difficult finding value in the defensive premiums this pre-season, which is why I am currently turning to an old favourite in Gay (DNP). She has been managed this pre-season by the Bombers through a few games, but played in the Australia v Ireland match to ease any concerns of injury (much like the knee injury she copped last pre-season). Cowcher (46) did not set the world on fire with her scoring in the practice matches, but arguably has the best job security of any defender priced under $250,000. I trust that she has the talent to grow into her role and be a slow burn money-maker, with her defensive efforts against the Lions – including a team-high nine intercept possessions and five rebound 50s – sure to give her a decent run to start the season.
One of the trickier decisions this season has been which midfield premiums to start with. Port Adelaide's Dowrick (108) is an emerging star, and I am keen to see her take her game to the next level in 2026. Lastly, Whitfort, who is now locked out after playing for Carlton against St Kilda on Sunday, has taken the last premium spot in this deep midfield (M7) but if she had not, I would be reshuffling some of my 'possibles' to afford Airlie Runnalls (89) at $689,000.
Davies (86) was part of the Gold Coast's amazing draft haul from last season, and looks ready to take up a defensive post at the Suns. Her marking prowess probably gives her the edge for me over a few other cheap rookie bench options, in addition with the ability to rotate through the ruck. And lastly, Mischa Barwin (54) looked really solid in her hitouts against the Eagles and Bulldogs recently, as part of a new-look Collingwood forward line. Her dual-position status is very handy as well, giving additional flexibility early on to jump on the players I miss.
The Possibles
Ella Heads (DEF, $701,000), Ash Riddell (MID, $1,297,000), Ash Woodland (MID, $849,000), Matilda Scholz (RUC, $1,021,000), Daisy D'Arcy (DEF, $573,000), Sierra Grieves (FWD, $563,000), Emilia Yassir (FWD, $325,000)
Who at Port Adelaide will benefit from new coach Glenn Stracha's gameplan? I am extremely bullish on the marking prowess of this Port Adelaide unit, and am jumping on more players than most – Woodland (126) was excellent in the practice match against Melbourne, taking six marks and impacting all over the ground. Scholz (129) also looks poised to take her elite ruck talents to a new level after a dominant performance against Melbourne. A difficult match-up to start the year is my only hesitation, facing up against fellow All-Australian Mim Strom in round one. Heads (85) was less of a beneficiary of the new gameplan than hoped, but I expect that against weaker opponents, the Power are more likely to switch possession more freely in the back half. Heads should be among the better scorers at the Power regardless, and was also a standout defender in the practice match with 13 intercept possessions.
Knowing how I want my team to look by the end of the season, I would prefer to have at least three of the 'big four' midfielders and am currently sitting on Riddell (120) over Laura Gardiner. Riddell had such an outstanding 2025 and while I am not confident she will necessarily match it in 2026, I do expect her to average well over 110 again and be a solid starting pick. I trust her role more than Gardiner, who has a lingering injury this pre-season (hip), a returning teammate (Sofia Hurley) and a new coach (Colin O'Riordan) to affect her scoring.
Richmond has thrown the magnets around this pre-season, and Grieves (62) is a player I really like. Between her MID/FWD dual-position status and the recent injury to co-captain Ellie McKenzie, I expect we will see plenty of midfield time for Grieves as Richmond looks to introduce some more pace into its mix. Similarly, Emilia Yassir (54) has jumped into my team at F8, as the other player likely to benefit from more midfield time in McKenzie's absence. There are plenty of rookies vying for a spot as utility though, and this may shift when teams are announced.
Down back, I am currently trusting D'Arcy (26) to bounce back from a quiet practice match and be a solid rock off half-back for the Suns. Her match fitness is still building as she recovers from her ACL injury, and that limited her time on ground (41 per cent) in the practice match against the Blues. Priced at just 53 and handy for my structure, D'Arcy is too great a player to ignore for the time being.
Also in consideration: Laura Gardiner (MID, $1,380,000), Ella Roberts (MID, $1,090,000), Lucy Wales (RUC, $1,050,000), Tarni White (DEF, $869,000), Emily Bates (MID, $789,000), Ellie Blackburn (MID/FWD, $746,000), Sarah Goodwin (MID, $738,000), Charlie Mullins (MID/FWD, $690,000), Ash Centra (MID/FWD, $640,000), Emma Swanson (DEF, $610,000), Hannah Munyard (FWD, $584,000), Caitlin Gould (FWD, $569,000), Amy Gavin Mangan (FWD, $392,000), Laura Elliot (DEF, $372,000), Mia Austin (FWD, $362,000), Keeley Skepper (FWD, $357,000), Montana Beruldsen (FWD, $321,0000), Kiera Yerbury (MID, $290,000), Ava Usher (MID, $270,000), Imogen Trengove (MID/FWD, $265,000), Jordyn Allen (MID, $225,000), Georgia Stubs (DEF, $200,000), Lavinia Cox (FWD, $200,000), Jacinta Hose (RUC, $200,000), Paige Price (RUC, $200,000), Juliet Kelly (MID, $200,000)
That's the full squad of 29 players, with a sum of $25,000 in remaining salary. Depending on team announcements, I may look at finding closer to $100,000 to enter the first round with so I can be more flexible with trade options going forward.
Hopefully this was helpful in stepping through how my squad is currently being constructed, and which spots are the most likely to change in the next week.
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