Wired for Success - Picks for Round 9
With now a third of the AFL Fantasy season behind us, every waiver move matters more than ever. The competition is heating up, and finding those low-ownership gems could be the key to gaining an edge in your league. Whether you’re dealing with injuries, chasing form, or simply looking to strengthen your depth, the waiver wire is still packed with value—if you know where to look.
This week, we’re once again shining a spotlight on players who are owned in less than 30% of AFL Fantasy Draft leagues but have shown promising signs heading into Round 9. These are the under-the-radar options who could provide serious upside, especially with bye rounds and rotations starting to shake things up.
No matter what position you’re targeting—defenders, midfielders, forwards or even rucks—we’ve got a list of potential pickups that could slot straight into your squad and make an impact. It’s not always the big names that win leagues, but the savvy pickups at just the right time. So let’s get into the best Round 9 waiver wire targets that could give you that all-important edge.
Top Waiver Wire Picks by Position
Defenders
Reid (90) – We know Reid is capable of these kind of games because he’s done them a couple of times this year already. The ability to predict when he will have them is too hard to pick which is why we don’t prefer him to more consistent options.
Wagner (94) – Corey Wagner has 16 tackles on Friday night, beating his previous best of 9 tackles in a game which he had back in 2016 when he ran around for North Melbourne. Unfortunately, we just can’t rely on the fact he will have such large tackle numbers each week. He did see a few CBAs when Fremantle tried to mix things up in the last, but he is still a 70-80 defender when fully fit. Don’t get sucked in.
Johannisen (72) – Switched with Williams for this game and spent more time on the wing which is not where we want to see him to see his scoring upside being realised. Can’t trust him as a pick anymore until we get some certainty around him playing out of the back half (as much as one can get in a Bevo coached side).
Michalanney (116) – Adelaide made a point of controlling the ball against Carlton and all the defenders were big beneficiaries out of this game plan. At the end of the day this is Michalanneys first score over 80 so you can’t go picking him on the back of this.
Milera (95) – Like Michalanney, benefitted from the game style. We’ve seen this score before from Milera but then he reminds us with four scores of 50 or below that we should not be selecting him as he can’t be trusted week to week.
Hollands (88) – We’ve said it for multiple weeks now, as Ollie Hollands is available as a defender, he is better than most other options out there. We believe this will be the last week he’ll be eligible for this article.
Worrell (87) – Worrell is a favourite of the ADP group due to the way he plays and started the year. However, like Michalanney and Milera, we know he can’t produce this week to week so won’t get sucked in by the big scores. Especially while Nick Murray is out of the side, so we know he’ll have to play lockdown at times.
Haynes (80) – Really does look he’s growing in confidence amongst the back six at Carlton and now has scores of 80, 92, 69 and 90 in his last four. In deep leagues, this is much better than a lot of the players on active rosters,
Saad (74) – Came off the ground early and looked to be trending towards being subbed but recovered well and made his way to 74 which was great for those with him. Other than a minor blip against North Melbourne, continues to have his most consistent year to date. A much safer option than many others floating around at the moment. St Kilda next week should be a nice sugar hit too for owners.
Maynard (91) – Easily his best game of the year as he got a lot more involved in transition and went on multiple runs from D50. Only his first score over 80 out of 8 attempts this year so we won’t be suggesting him as a waiver pick anytime soon.
Duncan (79) – Duncan was a big chance to be the sub for this game, but he was released for full game time. With Stewarts return on the horizon, he is only one for the watchlist because he is too good of a player not to be rostered if he is getting full games.
Blicavs (66) – Had to go into the ruck when Stanley went down early which is interesting cause De Koning is also in the side, but they chose to go with Blicavs. A big watch this space to see what his role is moving forward.
Windsor (78) – Two good scores off half back in a row for Windsor against two weaker sides. Remains on the watchlist but we would not be picking him up off the waivers yet.
Battle (120) – Has made the most of the softer matchups over the last two weeks with scores of 107 and 120 against Eagles and Richmond. Still when this is coupled with the fact, he has three other scores of 75+ there are not many better options out there on deep waivers at the moment who have the ceiling of Battle. Has Melbourne too next week which is great news for defenders. Worth a waiver pick in deep leagues.
Jiath (113) – Another who enjoyed the Richmond matchup today but is far less reliable or proven compared to Battle, so we aren’t getting excited by this score.
Jeffrey (102) – His second score of 100+ for the year but with four scores of under 70, he’s just too volatile to have in your starting squads.
Trainor (87) – Is scoring better and more consistently than so many of the other options that are being picked up off the waiver. As said last week; to put it in perspective, he’s gone over 70 more times than Dan Rioli, Kane Farrell, Mason Redman, Joel Freijah and many other defender options.
Midfielders
Stephens (91) – The ball was stuck on his wing for a large chunk of the play which helped Stephen to his best score of the year. Stephens has appeared here a few times as we look to.
Johnson (95) – Big watch in this space with back to back scores in the 90s. The impressive part is that not only he had 57% CBAs tonight but also, he was getting possessions deep in defence when Fremantle were switching the ball. Will always be volatile but now has three 85+ scores on the year and is worth a punt in deeper leagues as he continues to mature within the Fremantle system. Hayden Young injury will only further cement his place.
Williams (77) – Stationed in defence for this game in unfavourable Ballarat conditions for defenders. Just a watch for now as him and Johannisen seem to be switching between the wing and defence week to week.
Langford (78) – Definitely enjoyed not having Oliver in the side as he accumulated 25 touches for the second time in his career. Hasn’t shown any kind of ceiling like others in his draft class so until he does there will always be better options. Still on our watchlist as his junior numbers suggest he is capable of the ceiling and will continue to be given plenty of opportunities by the Demons.
Lindsay (33) – Can’t really explain this one as the role did not change at all but he just could not get his hands on it all day. Has more upside than Windsor or Langford though so we would still prefer Lindsay if you’re having to pick one of the three.
C Ward (84) – Always loves the battle of the bridge games and has a great record against Sydney to prove it. This week was no different, but it will also be no different when he goes back to either being the sub or scoring 60s over the next few weeks.
McInerney (71) – May have only scored 71 points but had 24 touches and played 54% of CBAs which is what has got us excited. It’s the second week in a row he’s gotten a run in the middle (last week he scored 99). Still one of the better options going around for waiver wires at the moment as is a proven scorer, in a good team (yes Sydney are still good) and is starting to get a great role.
Hustwaite (87) – Surprisingly only got 48% CBAs with Mackenzie out of the side but still made the most of it. Is clearly a natural scorer with 19 touches and 8 tackles. With Nash’s return on the horizon, we can’t be doing anything too rash to bring him in. Only worth it as a short term play.
Rucks
Goldstein (49) – Poor Goldstein has never looked more exhausted on a football field. We thought we’d be seeing 60-70 from Goldstein but with Grundy, English and Nank in his next three (if he even plays) there isn’t much reprise coming. Has to be only if you have no other options.
Forwards
Caddy (71) – For the third time this year, when the game was really close, Nate Caddy found himself in all the right areas. Will be a great fantasy player one year, but that just won’t be this year.
Sharman (106) – Cooper Carey was at his high marking best on Friday night, against a typically stingy defence to key forwards. Ended up with 4 goals and a large confidence booster. Has Eagles and Melbourne in two of the next four games, so is worth a waiver as a loop option.
Garcia (84) - A big week for Garcia after being the poster boy of the Ross Lyon anger in Round 7. Responded beautifully and was given every chance to with 78% CBAs. Unfortunately, with the great game from Boxshall and the likelihood of Phillipou returning next week. He isn’t a great long term option for us as the role isn’t sustainable.
Naughton (95) – Now his second game of 90+ in three weeks since taking over as the number one option up forward for the Bulldogs. Everything is just humming at the moment for the Bulldogs so he’s a high risk high reward option that a lot of teams just need right now.
Harmes (89) – James Harmes was on 19 points at half time, and we were busy getting the eggs of our face from singing his praises last week while he came out in the second half and scored 70 points from 13 touches. The fact he has big halves in him is better than a lot of other options and you really can’t argue with his form at the moment in a very hot side. Has to be rostered until we see a drop off.
Georgiades (45) – Just wasn’t his day in difficult conditions. Has a tough run incoming now. We would prefer Naughton over Georgiades if you’re looking for that key forward upside scoring in your squad.
Elliot (64) – Back to normality with Schultz back in the side unfortunately. He was terrific while he was out of the side but just not enough ball to go around for the both of them when they are both playing.
Chandler (124) – This was Chandler’s second score of 115+ this year. Has had two very soft matchups in a row yes, and we know he will more likely score you 60 than 115+ but if you have room on the bench, he is worth rostering as against weaker teams he can be a match winning pick.
Turner (86) – Just benefitted from a soft matchup to allow him to kick two goals and take seven marks. Don’t do it.
Hewett (81) – Three goals from the future Eagles superstar on Saturday night. Now has two games of 75+ in the last three but at the end of the day is too reliant on kicking goals to score well. When you’re in a team like the Eagles that just can’t be trusted. Should score OK over the next couple of weeks though as the Eagles play the Tigers and Saints.
Ginnivan (106) – Since returning from being dropped, Ginnivan has scored 102 and 106 so he is firmly on our radars. We are aware it’s against teams that are traditionally easier to score against, but Mitchell has played him in to some form here. A reminder that Ginnivan averaged 74 last year and averaged 80 from round 11 onwards.
Maginness (95) – Played a wing/high half forward hybrid role today and easily played his best game of the year. Again, we have to be weary of the opposition here, so this only is enough to put Maginness on the watchlist.
Positional Rankings at a Glance
To help you prioritise your pickups, here’s a quick ranking of the top options by position.
Defenders
Please note all players are not in Bold which means they are only worth a waiver in deep leagues or leagues where the waiver wire order resets at the conclusion of each round regardless.
Jason Johannisen
Ollie Hollands
Josh Battle
Mitch Duncan (if named and not sub)
Adam Saad
Watchlist: Nick Haynes, Ryan Byrnes Mitch McGovern, Luke Trainor, Caleb Windsor, Marc Blicavs
Midfielders
Please note players in Bold are worth a waiver wire even in shallow leagues for AFL Fantasy Draft.
All players not in Bold are only worth a waiver in deep leagues or leagues where the waiver wire order resets at the conclusion of each round.
Justin McInerney
Marcus Windhager
Matt Johnson
Oliver Dempsey
Watchlist: Thomson Dow, Xavier Lindsay, Harvey Langford, Jack Bowes, Dylan Stephens
Rucks
Please note all players are not in Bold which means they are only worth a waiver in deep leagues or leagues where the waiver wire order resets at the conclusion of each round regardless.
Todd Goldstein (only real option that fits the criteria)
Marc Pittonet (if named)
Forwards
Please note players in Bold are worth a waiver wire even in shallow leagues for AFL Fantasy Draft.
All players not in Bold are only worth a waiver in deep leagues or leagues where the waiver wire order resets at the conclusion of each round.
James Harmes
Aaron Naughton
Ben Long (when he returns from injury)
Jack Ginnivan
Watchlist: Sam Powell-Pepper, Bailey Humphrey, Hugo Garcia
Get Ahead of the Game
Use this guide to make the right waiver moves and maximise your AFL Fantasy Draft team's scoring potential heading into Round 8.
Securing those high-upside pickups at this point in the season can make all the difference. Whether you're looking to strengthen your squad for the bye rounds or chasing that next breakout star, timely waiver wire decisions are crucial to staying competitive. Players like Justin McInerney could be the key to setting your team apart as the season heats up.
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