AFTER months of tinkering, pontification, unbridled joy and deep despair, now is the time to put it all on the line for the final round of AFLW Fantasy in 2026.
Three trades, one captain, one vice-captain, 21 players, 36 quarters – this is all that separates AFLW Fantasy coaches from the end of the Fantasy season for 2026.
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After rounds nine and 10 saw coaches hit the highest marks of the season, on the back of some exceptional scoring from Fantasy stalwarts Ebony Marinoff and Kiara Bowers, we arrive at the final weekend of the season with a little less confidence in the high scoring capabilities of our squads. For the second time in 2026, round 11 saw only two players have a score of 120 or above, and without diminishing the stellar work of Sophie Conway in her 100th game, Maddy Prespakis was comfortably the more popular Fantasy option. This meant that all the most popular captaincy options, often a big point of difference in the final weeks of the season (more on that later), failed to hit their expected marks, with none truly disappointing as all hit around the 100 to 110 mark. Hopefully with some better weather in round 12, the scoring will increase.
For coaches at the pointy end of the rankings, the first order of business will be to replace the popular Gold Coast defender Daisy D'Arcy, who will miss this weekend in concussion protocols. Thankfully, there are several great defensive options around her current price, including the suddenly back in form Maeve Chaplin (114) and the newly minted midfielder Tarni White (105). From there, questions will be asked about whether any highly priced players will produce below their 'priced at' amount and if $200k-$300k can be generated by trading them down to a more cheaply priced alternative priced at a similar level. Options up for consideration include Georgie Prespakis, Nina Morrison, Kiara Bowers, Mikayla Bowen, all of whom were thoroughly broken down on this week's edition of the Free Kick podcast. Coaches should also seriously consider whether they believe that the extremely highly owned North Melbourne midfield duo of Jasmine Garner and Ash Riddell will be rested during the second of the Roos' hitout against the Tigers. Both were given extended late bench stints in round 12 2025, and may be asked to do the same again this year.
Finally, with this being the ultimate edition of the AFLW Fantasy Download for 2026, we (Jono and Liam) wanted to thank anyone who has read these articles throughout the year, and sincerely hope that they've given you the extra help needed for Fantasy success this season!
Listen to the AFLW Fantasy Podcast with Free Kick at Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Top five price rises
1. Georgia Nanscawen (MID, $842,000): +$159,000
2. Sophie Conway (MID, $835,000): +$136,000
3. Taylor Smith (FWD, $781,000): +$127,000
4. Maeve Chaplin (DEF, $761,000): +$120,000
5. Chantal Mason (FWD, $920,000): +$118,000
Top five price falls
1. Ella Roberts (MID, $807,000): -$129,000
2. J'Noemi Anderson (FWD, $367,000): -$121,000
3. Aishling Moloney (FWD, $804,000): -$121,000
4. Grace Egan (MID, $695,000): -$120,000
5. Mon Conti (MID, $869,000): -$116,000
Top targets
Maeve Chaplin (MEL, DEF, $761,000) - 114 Fantasy points
The return of Kate Hore, Shelley Heath-Barker and Paxy Paxman in recent weeks was supposed to spell the end of Chaplin's midfield time, but the Dees did not follow the script. Against a tough midfield match-up in the Western Bulldogs, Chaplin played her most midfield time of the season (36 per cent CBAs) on her way to a season-high 114 Fantasy points. She comes up against Adelaide in the final round of the season, a great match-up for both defenders and midfielders. If you are looking for a D'Arcy replacement to pop a high score this week, Chaplin has the ceiling and fixture to get the job done.
Maddy Prespakis (ESS, MID, $1,104,000) - 134 Fantasy points
The Bombers superstar topped the charts in round 11, leading all Fantasy scorers across the weekend. In wet conditions against the Hawks, Prespakis was able to collect 38 disposals and lay seven tackles to keep the Bombers in the fight for most of the match. The Bombers have sacked coach Natalie Wood and have one last chance to send her off with a win – much like the Saints earlier this season, this chance comes against Collingwood. The Magpies are one of the easiest midfield match-ups this season, offering up big scores to Abbey Dowrick (113) and Laura Gardiner (131) in recent weeks. St Kilda's Jaimee Lambert managed a 106 against them, her only ton of the season. Prespakis should at least be safe for a decent score this round, and could finish the season with a bang.
Abbey Dowrick (PA, MID, $1,002,000) - 113 Fantasy points
Port's clearance specialist delivered again in round 11, putting together a special performance against Collingwood to finish with 25 disposals, eight tackles, six inside 50s, five clearances and a goal. Dowrick is one of very few players at the Power that can excel in their contested gameplan, and looks ready to excel again against the 18th-placed St Kilda on Saturday afternoon. Dowrick is still highly unique among the top Fantasy coaches, being in just 13 teams currently in the top 100. Her top score of 135 earlier this season shows she has the Fantasy pedigree to score, and she could be the midfielder to set your team apart this week.
Tarni White (COLL, DEF, $805,000) - 105 Fantasy points
White has been pretty boom or bust this year, with five scores over 90 and four scores under 70 – rarely hitting the mid-range between the two. But with just one round to go, Collingwood unexpectedly threw a curveball that makes White look like the option to run with in round 12. White played full-time midfield against the Power last week, collecting 25 disposals and seven tackles en route to a season high 105 Fantasy points. She has played in this role before but she is a much-improved player since, and looked comfortable in the middle despite the dismal scoreboard. With the Magpies desperate for her to sign on into 2027, White's midfield wishes should carry on into the final round against fellow cellar-dweller Essendon and she could be in for another boom score to finish the season.
Sell
Ella Roberts (WCE, MID, $807,000) - 58 Fantasy points
In her last three games, Roberts has dropped $377,000 and averaged a mere 68.7 Fantasy points. But yet, we are still so hesitant to trade her out… we all know that Roberts is a special player who can turn a game on her own, and post massive Fantasy scores on her day. For a brief period this season, she was the most expensive player in the game after all. Her opponent this week is Hawthorn – a team that concedes more tackles than any other and allowed Maddy Prespakis to top score in AFLW Fantasy last weekend. However, they are also a team that heavily tagged Garner and Riddell earlier this year and kept them to some of their lowest scores in a few seasons. This decision is a real flip of the coin this week, with Roberts as likely to score 65 Fantasy points as she is 135.
Daisy D'Arcy (GC, DEF, $781,000) - 43 Fantasy points
In case you missed the news, D'Arcy will miss the final round of 2026 after copping a concussion in the wet against the Tigers. D'Arcy has been an amazing Fantasy player across the last two months, but unfortunately we must bid her farewell and bring in the next best soldier for round 12. At her price point, it is a fairly simple sideways trade across to most defensive premiums, with Tilly Lucas-Rodd the only defender costing $100,000 more.
Aishling Moloney (GEE, FWD, $804,000) - 34 Fantasy points
Moloney had a tough time in the wet against Fremantle, not only finding it difficult to find space from close attention but also taking a shoulder to the ribs when she tried to bump Kiara Bowers midway through the third quarter. Moloney managed to play out the game, but was clearly shaken by the hit. Not only does this injury cloud hang over Moloney, but the Cats face up against the Western Bulldogs in round 12 – a difficult match-up for forwards and a fiercely contested team. Moloney will have her work cut out for her, and you may be better off trading her out to another forward with a more favourable match-up (while banking a bit of cash at the same time).
Charlie Mullins (BL, FWD, $677,000) - 60 Fantasy points
Mullins has had a quiet few weeks lately, averaging just 65 in her last five games. While not terrible scoring, the opportunity for a ceiling score seems to have gotten much smaller due to the Lions playing a far more direct game style that no longer moves through the talented winger. Moreover, the Lions face Carlton this week – a tough opponent for wingers and a game that will decide the Blues' chances for a top-four finish. With just one round left in the season, teams that are in a strong spot could definitely afford to move Mullins out and differentiate their side from the nearly 50 per cent of coaches in the top 100 with Mullins in their Fantasy teams.
Top rookies (under $350,000)
With the final round of the AFLW season this coming weekend, it is certainly best to have all rookies cleared from your field where possible and there is no more possibility of bringing in a rookie to make cash. This means that there are only two reasons to bring in a rookie player: to ensure you have bench cover for a late out, or to use as a means of accessing a VC loophole. On that basis, here is a list of the best options across those two categories.
Best rookies for looping:
Fremantle and Sydney play in the final game of the round, and thus offer the safest loops for VC loopholes.
Mary-Kate Lynch (SYD, DEF, $200,000) not injured, so watch for team announcements
Lila Micheletti (SYD, MID, $200,000) not injured, so watch for team announcements
Lucinda Watson (SYD, MID / FWD, $200,000) not injured, so watch for team announcements
Alex Neyland (SYD, MID, $275,000) out injured for the season
Best rookies for coverage:
Ella Friend (STK, DEF, $307,000)
Lily Quigley (GC, MID, $279,000)
Elli Symonds (HAW, RUC, $264,000)
Lily Baxter (CAR, FWD, $275,000)
Captains
Much like last week, captaincy strategy largely revolves around whether coaches would prefer to have the ability to look at what Charlie Rowbottom scores as a vice-captain (on the basis that again she presents as the best captaincy option), or are happy to roll into the Suns midfielder after a VC dart throw on Friday or Saturday. What is unfortunate is the crossover between the Suns v Greater Western Sydney match and Essendon's battle against the Pies, as it limits all ability to potentially look at a Rowbottom into Maddy Prespakis structure. Right now, my top five options are filled with only players on the Sunday, but there are a number of players who were just on the cusp. One final reminder for coaches to also ensure that they double check when their red dot loophole options play – this could ultimately decide what VC/C strategy you take!
No.1: Charlie Rowbottom (v Greater Western Sydney, Sunday 12.35pm AEDT)
No.2: Ebony Marinoff (v Melbourne, Sunday 3.05pm AEDT)
No.3: Maddy Prespakis (v Collingwood, Sunday 1.05pm AEDT)
No.4: Kiara Bowers (v Sydney, Sunday 5.05pm AEDT)
No.5: Laura Gardiner (v Fremantle, Sunday 5.05pm AEDT)
Friday options to consider: Nina Morrison (v Western Bulldogs)
Saturday options to consider: Abbey Dowrick (v St Kilda), Jasmine Garner (v Richmond), Mon Conti (v North Melbourne), Lucy Wales (v West Coast), Ella Roberts (v Hawthorn)
Other Sunday options to consider: Tyla Hanks (v Adelaide), Liv Purcell (v Adelaide), Gabby Newton (v Sydney), Mim Strom (v Sydney)
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