AFL Fantasy Draft Snapshots – Part 2
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 second 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.
Hawthorn Hawks
Hawthorn continues to trend as a growth-focused fantasy team, with developing roles and emerging players shaping their AFL Fantasy Draft 2026 outlook. This snapshot highlights where upside may still exist and which roles are worth monitoring closely through preseason.
Melbourne Demons
Melbourne enters 2026 under a new coach with a clear opportunity to inject youth and redefine roles across the ground. From an AFL Fantasy Draft perspective, this snapshot focuses on how increased opportunity, evolving midfield usage, and potential role changes could reshape their AFL Fantasy Draft Rankings as preseason unfolds.
North Melbourne
North Melbourne heads into 2026 with minimal list changes, suggesting much of what we saw in 2025 may carry over. From an AFL Fantasy Draft perspective, the focus shifts to monitoring key players, role consistency, and incremental growth rather than wholesale change, with preseason providing important clues around usage and opportunity.
Port Adelaide
Port Adelaide enters 2026 under a new coach, adding an extra layer of uncertainty to their AFL Fantasy Draft outlook. While the core list remains largely intact, potential shifts in game style, role distribution, and midfield usage make preseason a critical period for assessing how their AFL Fantasy Draft Rankings may evolve.
Richmond Tigers
Richmond’s list profile suggests a period of transition, which often creates fantasy relevance in unexpected places. This snapshot highlights the players and roles that could shape their AFL Fantasy Draft 2026 value as the season approaches.
St Kilda
St Kilda presents one of the more intriguing fantasy puzzles heading into 2026. With many list changes, role definition and midfield usage still evolving, this snapshot focuses on the key watch-points that could significantly impact AFL Fantasy Draft Rankings.
Sydney Swans
Sydney’s fantasy output is often driven by system and role clarity rather than list turnover. This snapshot looks at how continuity, fixture context, and role stability may influence their AFL Fantasy Draft profiles in 2026.
West Coast Eagles
West Coast remains a team to approach carefully from an AFL Fantasy Draft perspective. This snapshot outlines where opportunity may open up through change, and which players could benefit most if roles stabilise during preseason.
Western Bulldogs
The Western Bulldogs continue to challenge fantasy drafters due to depth and role rotation. For AFL Fantasy Draft Rankings 2026, this snapshot highlights the balance between elite scoring potential and role-driven volatility.
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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