ANOTHER round is here and it's time to set yourself Fantasy ready for what lies ahead.
Even though we've jumped hurdle after hurdle this year, nothing can dampen the spirits of a determined Fantasy coach and our very own Roy is the ambassador of that group, leading the charge!
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On Thursday, teams will drop and draft coaches will be holding their breath, hoping that Tim English (RUCK, $1,051,000) is going to return. English has been on the sidelines for three weeks and will be welcomed back into draft teams with open arms if he is named.
Also, keep an eye on his teammate Marcus Bontempelli (MID, $1,009,000) who is battling a knee injury of his own. Bontempelli has had limited training this week after getting through last weekend's game for his score of 114.
Make sure you join The Traders when they go live, covering all the important issues.
Trap or treat?
Here are some of the traps to avoid and some treats worth considering for the round ahead.
Callum Wilkie (DEF, $1,013M) - TRAP
Over 1200 coaches have traded in Wilkie this week and it's easy to see why. He's averaging 115 this year, but this is a timely reminder ... you don't get the scores he has already had. Spend that money wisely.
Finn Callaghan (MID, $955,000) - TREAT
If you are looking for a player with a nice run then look no further. Callaghan plays Gold Coast, Essendon and West Coast over the coming weeks and it doesn't get much better than that.
Hugh McCluggage (MID, $808,000) – TRAP
He's a trade target to keep an eye on, but since his return, McCluggage hasn't played over 70 per cent game time. He's been managed over the last three weeks and we can't launch until this changes.
Angus Anderson (MID, $440,000) – TREAT
It's not too late to grab Anderson – but it needs to be done this week. With a breakeven of -6, Anderson has been sensational this year and find himself averaging 79. He'll soon be over $500k.
Samuel Cumming (MID, $343,000) - TREAT
If you already have Retschko and even Anderson, then Cumming sits as the next in line. The No.7 draftee scored 58 last week and his appears job security appears strong. A worthy target!
Most traded in
- Patrick Retschko (MID, $338,000)
- Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (MID/DEF, $1,013M)
- Jason Horne-Francis (MID/FWD, $941,000)
- Christian Petracca (MID/FWD, $958,000)
- Samuel Cumming (MID, $343,000)
After over 13,000 traded in Patrick Retschko (MID, $338,000) last week, another 22,000 have joined the gang in round eight. Retschko scored 91 last week, backing up the 65 he had in round six.
The time to grab Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (MID/DEF, $1,013M) as a ‘bargain' is slowly running out. He's dropped $150,000 from his starting price and is now rising in price each and every week. He has a great draw where he plays Carlton, Gold Coast and Richmond over the next three weeks.
Most traded out
- Lachie Jaques (DEF, $586,000)
- Tom Blamires (DEF/MID, $549,000)
- Sam Grlj (DEF/MID, $572,000)
- Deven Robertson (MID/FWD, $511,000)
- Jagga Smith (MID, $619,000)
It's that time of the year where coaches are looking to offload those rookies who might have ‘maxed-out' in price. Monitoring a player's breakeven will assist with these decisions but at the end of the day, if it suits your structure and you're getting a player you like, anyone can be traded.
After averaging 57 over his last three games, over 16,000 Fantasy coaches are cashing out on Lachie Jaques (DEF, $586,000). The serviceable rookie has been great, but coaches are moving him on to bigger and better things.
Draft: One-week wonders
A strategy in draft is to find one-week streaming options. This means, finding a player who has low ownership (most likely in the free agents) and an option for a one-week play. You may require a player like this to fill any holes in your team while you wait for an injured player to return or for one of your players to gain dual-position status.
Here are some players with low ownership that might be worth a punt on for this week.
Josh Lindsay (DEF) v Richmond – Coming off 97, Lindsay is definitely an option for those running deep leagues. Sitting in seven per cent of drafts, he meets the Tigers this week at Optus Stadium.
Harry Rowston (MID) v Gold Coast – Good match-up this week and Rowston was awesome in round seven with a season-high 93. Sitting in six per cent of leagues, he's another one for those deep drafts.
Jye Amiss (FWD) v Bulldogs – After Jeremy Cameron and Charlie Curnow combined for 17 goals against the Bulldogs in the last two weeks, have a punt on Amiss who is in less than five per cent of leagues.
Live Teams Show
The Traders will be live from 6.15pm AEST on Thursday to cover all the important ins and outs as teams are announced. They break down the popular trades, discuss captains and answer all your burning questions. Watch the Live Teams Show every Thursday night via AFL.com.au and the AFL Live Official App and ask your questions in the comments.
Listen to the AFL Fantasy Podcast with The Traders at Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Calvin's best captains
No. 1 -Â Tristan Xerri v Geelong @ GMHBA Stadium, SAT 4:35pm AEST
Xerri had it all his own way last year against Geelong with a massive 156. Coming off a huge 145, expect Xerri to dominate this match-up, just like Sweet (101) and Williams (115) have recently.
No. 2 - Marcus Bontempelli v Fremantle @ Marvel Stadium, FRI 7:30pm AEST
In the last six games against the Dockers, Bontempelli has scored over 140 four times with 141 last season. Even with a sore knee, Bontempelli managed 114 last week and loves playing under the Marvel roof.
No. 3 - Luke Jackson v Western Bulldogs @ Marvel Stadium, FRI 7:30pm AEST
Grundy (116), Blicavs (93) and Meek (98) are the latest rucks to feast on Bulldogs and Jackson meets them in some hot form, scoring 135, 103 and 131 in his last three games. Getting the job done!
No. 4 - Bailey Smith v Kangaroos @ GMHBA Stadium, SAT 4:35pm AEST
North Melbourne is the hardest team to score against but that won’t stop Smith at home where he has scored 145, 154 and 130 this season. He had 132 on the Roos in 2025 and continues to reward his coaches.
No. 5 - Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera v Carlton @ Marvel Stadium, SAT 7:35pm AEST
Wanganeen-Milera scored 108 against the Blues last year and finds himself is good form coming off 119, 93 and 139. Should be great again, if he can shrug off a possible tag.
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