AFL Fantasy Draft Snapshots – Part 1
Preparing for the AFL Fantasy Draft doesn’t start on draft night, it starts months earlier by understanding list changes, fixture context, and where opportunity may open up before preseason noise takes over.
To kick off the 2026 AFL Fantasy Draft cycle, we’ve begun releasing club-by-club AFL Fantasy Draft snapshots, designed to highlight what fantasy coaches should be paying attention to now, rather than trying to lock in rankings too early.
This article brings together the first nine teams covered in the series, with each snapshot focusing on the fantasy-relevant details that help shape future AFL Fantasy Draft Rankings.
What Each AFL Fantasy Draft Snapshot Covers
Each team snapshot is built around the same structure to make comparisons easier across the league:
List changes that could influence roles, CBAs, kick-ins, or scoring distribution
Early fixture difficulty, highlighting potential hot or cold starts from an AFL Fantasy perspective
Key notes and watch-points to track as preseason games approach
Rather than overreacting to January headlines, the aim is to establish a baseline understanding that helps fantasy drafters identify upside, risk, and uncertainty early in the AFL Fantasy Draft 2026 cycle.
Adelaide Crows
Adelaide shapes as one of the more interesting teams to monitor early in the AFL Fantasy Draft 2026 cycle as the Crows offer several players worth tracking closely before preseason roles are locked in.
Brisbane Lions
Brisbane remains a high-ceiling fantasy side, but changes around the margins could subtly impact roles and scoring distribution. From an AFL Fantasy Draft Rankings perspective, understanding this is key for 2026.
Carlton Blues
Carlton enters 2026 with a different core of players but plenty of fantasy relevant questions around midfield balance and scoring reliability.
Collingwood Magpies
With minimal list turnover but evolving responsibilities, this snapshot focuses on where AFL Fantasy Draft value may still exist in a well-drilled side.
Essendon Bombers
Essendon remains one of the more difficult teams to assess early, making them particularly important for AFL Fantasy Draft Rankings 2026 preparation. Changes to roles, minutes, and midfield structure could significantly influence draft day outcomes.
Fremantle Dockers
Fremantle’s list profile suggests upside, but not without risk. This snapshot highlights where growth could come from, which roles are worth monitoring, and how their fixture may shape early season AFL Fantasy Draft value.
Geelong Cats
Geelong continues to challenge fantasy drafters with role fluidity and managed workloads. For AFL Fantasy Draft 2026, understanding which players offer week-to-week stability versus matchup-driven upside is critical.
Gold Coast Suns
Gold Coast presents one of the more intriguing fantasy profiles heading into 2026. With the addition of Petracca and evolving roles, this snapshot focuses on where opportunity may shift and which players could outperform their early AFL Fantasy Draft Rankings.
GWS Giants
GWS is once again a team who will be highly relevant for AFL Fantasy Draft teams in 2026. This snapshot outlines the early indicators to watch as preseason approaches and how the Giants may shape up in AFL Fantasy Draft leagues.
Why Early AFL Fantasy Draft Prep Matters
While AFL Fantasy Draft Rankings will evolve significantly once preseason heats up and preseason matches begin, early preparation allows you to:
Identify players who may benefit from list turnover or role changes
Avoid overvaluing names whose opportunity could shrink
Build your own view before consensus rankings form
Fantasy leagues are often won by coaches who understand context better than the room, not just last season’s averages.
Get Exclusive Discounted Access to the 2026 AFL Fantasy Draft Rankings
Email subscribers will receive exclusive discounted access to the 2026 AFL Fantasy Draft Rankings Spreadsheet when it’s released later in the preseason.
If you’re serious about improving your AFL Fantasy Draft results in 2026, subscribing ensures you’re ahead of the curve.
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