The Keeper League - AFL Fantasy Podcast

Pre-season 2026 is done — and the second batch of fantasy clues are on the table. This week we break down every practice match and what matters for draft and keeper leagues heading into the season. The big headlines: Tom BlamiresJagga SmithElijah HollandsZak JohnsonFrom there, we work through every match and every fantasy-relevant performance — midfield usage shifts, CBA trends, half-back distributors, ruck roles, wing rotations and which preseason numbers actually mean something. Plus listener questions on keeper decisions, prospect rankings (2-year vs 5-year outlooks), waiver sleepers and ruck strategy. If you’re preparing for draft season or looking to get ahead in your keeper league, this episode sets the table for 2026. Become a Keeper League Podcast member: https://keeperleaguepod.com.au/keeper-league-membership/ Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/APjqvT22ze Keeper Fantasy platform: https://keeperfantasy.com/ Play FootyNumbers: https://footynumbers.com Play FootyHeads: https://footyheads.com

Practice matches are done and the first real AFL Fantasy 2026 signals are on the board. In this episode, we break down the biggest pre-season practice match takeaways for keeper leagues, including role changes, usage shifts, and what actually matters heading into draft season. We deep dive into Sam Flanders’ monster performance, why he already looks like a genuine 2G4P keeper-league asset, and what his role tells us about Gold Coast’s midfield mix. We also analyse Connor Macdonald’s midfield role, plus Connor Budarick’s move into a half-back distributor role and how that impacts his fantasy ceiling. There’s also much, much more player analysis in this episode as we go through every practice match from the past week, discussing all the fantasy-relevant players, emerging roles, and performances worth paying attention to — and which ones are probably noise. If you’re building for the future or trying to identify early keeper league stars, this is essential listening. If you want to support the podcast and the work that goes into these episodes, becoming a member genuinely makes a huge difference. 👉 Sign up as a Keeper League Podcast member: https://keeperleaguepod.com.au/keeper-league-membership/ Links: Join our Discord server: https://discord.gg/APjqvT22ze Join the Keeper Fantasy platform: https://keeperfantasy.com/ Play FootyNumbers: https://footynumbers.com Play FootyHeads: https://footyheads.com

Pre-season is flying, and this week on The Keeper League Podcast we’re bringing you a full “in case you missed it” club-by-club update — breaking down all the keeper-league relevant news, role changes, injuries, and emerging opportunities across the competition. With match sims ramping up and coaches starting to show their hand, this episode is designed to help keeper league coaches spot value early, identify role-based upside, and avoid landmines before drafts really kick into gear. We also recap the Victoria vs Western Australia State of Origin clash from the weekend, discussing what the game told us (and didn’t tell us) from a fantasy perspective — including ruck scoring trends, shared duties, and how much weight coaches should actually put on an exhibition-style contest. From Adelaide through to the Western Bulldogs, we touch every club, highlighting: This episode is 100% keeper-league focused, aimed at coaches who want to stay ahead of role changes and opportunity spikes before they become obvious on draft night. Sign up as a member here: https://keeperleaguepod.com.au/keeper-league-membership/ Links: Join our Discord server: https://discord.gg/APjqvT22ze Join the Keeper Fantasy platform: https://keeperfantasy.com/ Play FootyNumbers: https://footynumbers.com Play FootyHeads: https://footyheads.com

The pre-season rolls on, and we’re back with another episode of The Keeper League Podcast — this time diving deep into keeper rankings and dynasty draft strategy. Joining us this week is Matty D’Sena as we unpack Heff’s Top 100 keeper league rankings and what they mean for coaches building for both immediate success and long-term upside. Keeper leagues are all about balancing scoring, age profile, role security, and future growth — and this episode is designed to help you navigate that landscape with confidence. We break down how to interpret and apply the Top 100 rankings, where value pockets exist, and how different team builds should influence your draft decisions. Matty also shares his top dynasty rookie draft targets, highlighting the young players with the strongest mix of opportunity, talent, and long-term fantasy potential. We cover: • How to use keeper rankings to shape draft strategy • Interpreting Heff’s Top 100 for short- and long-term builds • Value tiers and draft philosophy in keeper formats • Matty’s top dynasty rookie draft targets • Younger players worth prioritising in long-term leagues • Strategy discussion around roster construction and timeline planning An extended version of this episode is available for Keeper League members, featuring additional dynasty rookie discussion and deeper analysis of Matty’s rankings. This episode is focused entirely on draft and keeper leagues — not salary cap formats — helping coaches make smarter decisions today while planning for sustained success. An extended version of this episode is available for Keeper League members, featuring extra discussion, deeper analysis, and additional strategy. Existing members can listen here: https://keeperleaguepod.com.au/bonus-episodes Sign up as a member here: https://keeperleaguepod.com.au/keeper-league-membership/ Links: Join our Discord server: https://discord.gg/APjqvT22ze Join the Keeper Fantasy platform: https://keeperfantasy.com/ Play FootyNumbers: https://footynumbers.com Play FootyHeads: https://footyheads.com

The pre-season rolls on, and we’re back with another episode of The Keeper League Podcast, this time turning our attention to AFL Fantasy forwards — all through a Keeper League lens. In this episode, we’re joined by original co-host Kaes as our special guest, bringing his insight and experience to what’s shaping up as one of the most important positional conversations heading into 2026. With the forward line always throwing up plenty of volatility, role changes, and breakout potential, we take a step back and look at how coaches should be thinking about forwards in draft and keeper leagues — balancing short-term scoring with long-term value, job security, and upside. We discuss what makes a forward worth investing in, how to identify the next big breakout, and where the traps might sit across the line. We cover: This episode is focused entirely on draft and keeper leagues — not salary cap formats — with analysis designed to help you make smarter decisions now while keeping one eye firmly on the future. An extended version of this episode is available for Keeper League members, featuring extra discussion, deeper analysis, and additional strategy. Existing members can listen here: https://keeperleaguepod.com.au/bonus-episodes New members can sign up here: https://keeperleaguepod.com.au/keeper-league-membership/ Links: Join our Discord server: https://discord.gg/APjqvT22ze Join the Keeper Fantasy platform: https://keeperfantasy.com/ Play FootyNumbers: https://footynumbers.com Play FootyHeads: https://footyheads.com

The pre-season rolls on, and we’re back with another episode of The Keeper League Podcast, this time turning our attention to AFL Fantasy rucks — all through a Keeper League lens. In this episode, we’re joined by Jordan D’Sena as our special guest, bringing his insight and experience to a discussion that’s set to be one of the most important positional debates of 2026. With new rules and interpretations coming into play, we take a step back and look at what they could mean for ruck scoring, role security, and long-term keeper value. We discuss how the changing landscape might impact different ruck profiles, whether teams move towards more flexible setups, and how fantasy coaches should be thinking about the position moving forward. We cover: Listener questions round out the episode, touching on ruck depth charts, keeper value, and how aggressive coaches should be when building their ruck line for both the short and long term. This episode is focused entirely on draft and keeper leagues — not salary cap formats — with analysis designed to help you make smarter decisions now while keeping one eye firmly on the future. An extended version of this episode is available for Keeper League members, featuring extra discussion, deeper analysis, and additional strategy. Existing members can listen here: https://keeperleaguepod.com.au/bonus-episodes New members can sign up here: https://keeperleaguepod.com.au/keeper-league-membership/ Links Join our Discord server: https://discord.gg/APjqvT22ze Join the Keeper Fantasy platform: https://keeperfantasy.com/ Play FootyNumbers: https://footynumbers.com Play FootyHeads: https://footyheads.com

The pre-season rolls on, and we’re back with another episode The Keeper League Podcast, this time turning our attention to AFL Fantasy midfielders — all through a Keeper League lens. In this episode, we’re joined by Damon Adams, commissioner of DT Shiva, as out special guest. He'll also give a full update on the competition as registrations open for 2026. We break down the midfield pool for keeper and draft leagues, identifying undervalued options, breakout candidates, and long-term targets who could shape leagues over the next few seasons. We run through: Damon also gives a DT Shiva update, including: This episode is entirely focused on draft and keeper leagues — not salary cap formats — with analysis designed to help you win both now and in the future. An extended version of this episode is available for Keeper League members, featuring deeper midfield analysis, extra player discussions, and more draft strategy. Existing members can listen here: https://keeperleaguepod.com.au/bonus-episodes New members can sign up here: https://keeperleaguepod.com.au/keeper-league-membership/ Links https://discord.gg/APjqvT22zehttps://keeperfantasy.com/https://footynumbers.comhttps://footyheads.com

The pre-season is officially underway, and we’re kicking things off with a deep dive into AFL Fantasy defenders — through a Keeper League lens. In this episode of The Keeper League Podcast, we break down the defender pool for 2026, identifying undervalued options, breakout candidates, and draft targets who could shape keeper leagues over the next few seasons. We run through: Undervalued defendersBreakout candidatesstash optionspre-season roles, injuries, and list changesWe also cover a stack of Keeper League Gold Member updates, including improvements to the Mock Draft Simulator and the new Individual Rankings Tool. This episode is entirely focused on draft and keeper leagues, not salary cap formats — with analysis designed to help you win both now and in the future. An extended version of this episode is available for Keeper League members, featuring deeper analysis, bonus player breakdowns and more draft discussion. Existing members can listen here: https://keeperleaguepod.com.au/bonus-episodes New members can sign up here: https://keeperleaguepod.com.au/keeper-league-membership/ Links Join our Discord server: https://discord.gg/APjqvT22ze Join the Keeper Fantasy platform: https://keeperfantasy.com/ Play FootyNumbers: https://footynumbers.com Play FootyHeads: https://footyheads.com

In this week’s show, Heff and Matty run through a full 2025 AFL Fantasy Draftee Mock Draft, going pick-for-pick through their Top 16 keeper league prospects from last week’s AFL Draft. We break down roles, scoring profiles, long-term upside and which players we would prioritise when building for the future. We also discuss the key 2025 rule changes — including ruck restrictions, ball-in adjustments and the crackdown on shrugging and prior opportunity — and how these changes may influence fantasy scoring for the next wave of young players entering the system. An extended version of this episode is available for Keeper League members, featuring deeper analysis, bonus player breakdowns and more draft discussion. Existing members can listen here: https://keeperleaguepod.com.au/bonus-episodes New members can sign up here: https://keeperleaguepod.com.au/keeper-league-membership/ You can also view every draftee’s fantasy averages, game logs, player profiles and analysis guide on our website: https://keeperleaguepod.com.au/ Links Join our Discord server: https://discord.gg/APjqvT22ze Join the Keeper Fantasy platform: https://keeperfantasy.com/ Play FootyNumbers: https://footynumbers.com Play FootyHeads: https://footyheads.com

In this episode, Heff is joined by Jordy as they recap the 2025 AFL free agency and trade period, analysing the fantasy implications of every player on the move. They explore how each trade affects both the departing and incoming clubs — breaking down role changes, potential midfield opportunities, and scoring outlooks for next season. From blockbuster trades to depth moves, the duo discuss who’s primed for a fantasy bump and which teams might feel the pinch after key departures. Tune in for all the key insights as we get set for the 2026 AFL Fantasy season. Draftee Data: https://keeperleaguepod.com.au/afl-draftee-data/ Website: https://keeperleaguepod.com.au/ Membership: https://keeperleaguepod.com.au/keeper-league-membership/ Join our Discord server: https://discord.gg/APjqvT22ze Join the Keeper Fantasy platform: https://keeperfantasy.com/ Play FootyNumbers: https://footynumbers.com Play FootyHeads: https://footyheads.com

This week, Heff is joined by original co-host and founding member Kaes for the final episode of the year. We break down Heff’s grand final performance, highlight the standout players of the round from a keeper league perspective, answer listener questions, and look ahead to some future planning for our own keeper league teams. This will be our last episode until after the finals, so thanks for listening and supporting the show throughout the season. Website: https://keeperleaguepod.com.au/ Membership: https://keeperleaguepod.com.au/keeper-league-membership/ Join our Discord server: https://discord.gg/APjqvT22ze Join the Keeper Fantasy platform: https://keeperfantasy.com/ Play FootyNumbers: https://footynumbers.com Play FootyHeads: https://footyheads.com

Round 23 is here, and for many draft and keeper league coaches, it’s the biggest week of the season – Grand Final time. Heff is joined by Jordy D’Sena to break down all the key AFL Fantasy takeaways heading into the final round. It’s been a massive week for Heff, who won the Shiva Division 24 Grand Final and will now be playing in the Champions League next season. On top of that, he also booked his spot in his home league Grand Final after a preliminary final win, thanks in large part to the efforts of Peter Ladhams. We’ll cover strategy, waiver wire targets, and the players who could give you the edge in your league’s Grand Final. Plus, we’ll analyse every game of the round, highlighting players who matter not only this weekend, but also looking ahead for keeper league coaches. Website: https://keeperleaguepod.com.au/ Membership: https://keeperleaguepod.com.au/keeper-league-membership/ Join our Discord server: https://discord.gg/APjqvT22ze Join the Keeper Fantasy platform: https://keeperfantasy.com/ FootyNumbers.com: https://footynumbers.com Play FootyHeads: https://footyheads.com Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@keeperleaguepod?sub_confirmation=1

Round 22 is over, and for most draft and keeper leagues, it’s either preliminary final week or the big dance. Heff is joined by Tommy Wyman to break it all down, focusing on the key AFL Fantasy takeaways for draft and keeper league coaches. Heff faces a tough task in his home league prelim this week, coming up against a strong opponent and losing Brodie Grundy to injury. But there’s a silver lining, as many coaches can benefit from situations like this. And it’s certainly not all doom and gloom for Heff, who made his first-ever Shiva Grand Final on the weekend, which will be discussed on the show. We’ll talk strategy, key players, and the best waiver wire gems to help you get the edge in your finals matchups this weekend, analysing every game of the round, highlighting the players who could make a difference in finals, or down the track in your keeper league. Website: https://keeperleaguepod.com.au/ Membership: https://keeperleaguepod.com.au/keeper-league-membership/ Join our Discord server: https://discord.gg/APjqvT22ze Join the Keeper Fantasy platform: https://keeperfantasy.com/ FootyNumbers.com: https://footynumbers.com Play FootyHeads: https://footyheads.com Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@keeperleaguepod?sub_confirmation=1

Round 21 of the 2025 AFL Fantasy season is in the books, and we’re deep into the finals series across all leagues on the Keeper platform. This week, Heff is joined by Matty D’Sena to break down all the key takeaways from the weekend’s action, with a strong focus on draft and keeper league relevance. We highlight breakout players, the top waiver pickups, and share strategies to give you an edge in your finals matchups. As always, we wrap up with listener questions—packed with insights you won’t want to miss. Website: https://keeperleaguepod.com.au/ Membership: https://keeperleaguepod.com.au/keeper-league-membership/ Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/APjqvT22ze Play Keeper Fantasy: https://keeperfantasy.com/ Play FootyNumbers: https://footynumbers.com Play FootyHeads: https://footyheads.com Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@keeperleaguepod?sub_confirmation=1

Round 20 is done and dusted, and Heff and Lewy are here to break down all the key fantasy moments from the past week from a keeper league perspective. They’ll dissect standout performances, important role changes, and highlight the players you need to have on your radar as fantasy finals come into focus. If you want to get ahead in your keeper leagues and discover those sneaky sleepers and hidden gems, this episode is packed with strategy, fresh names, and insights to help you set up for a strong finish to your season. Stick around for Listener Questions at the end of the show! Website: https://keeperleaguepod.com.au/ Membership: https://keeperleaguepod.com.au/keeper-league-membership/ Join our Discord server: https://discord.gg/APjqvT22ze Join the Keeper Fantasy platform: https://keeperfantasy.com/ FootyNumbers.com: https://footynumbers.com Play FootyHeads: https://footyheads.com Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@keeperleaguepod?sub_confirmation=1

Round 19 is done and dusted, and Heff is joined by Jordan D’Sena to break it all down - after Heff’s painful keeper league loss to Kaes (which he’ll dissect on the show). We’ll run through the standout fantasy performances, fresh role changes, and the players you need on your radar as finals kick off in many leagues this past weekend and in others this week. Plenty of strategy chat, new names for your watchlist, and insights to get you finals‑ready. Stick around for Listener Questions at the end of the show. Website: https://keeperleaguepod.com.au/ Membership: https://keeperleaguepod.com.au/keeper-league-membership/ Join our Discord server: https://discord.gg/APjqvT22ze Join the Keeper Fantasy platform: https://keeperfantasy.com/ FootyNumbers.com: https://footynumbers.com Play FootyHeads: https://footyheads.com Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@keeperleaguepod?sub_confirmation=1

Round 18 is done and dusted, and Heff is joined by special guest Damon Adams from the Shiva Blast podcast to break down all the key talking points. With finals looming, it’s crunch time in draft and keeper leagues. Whether you’re pushing for a flag or planning trades for next season, this episode is packed with the insight you need to stay ahead. We run through the weekend’s standout performers, the flops, and the players you should be targeting on the waiver wire or through trade. Expect deep strategy discussion, role analysis, and plenty of fantasy gold to give your draft and keeper league team the edge. Stick around until the end as we answer your listener questions. Website: https://keeperleaguepod.com.au/ Membership: https://keeperleaguepod.com.au/keeper-league-membership/ Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/APjqvT22ze Play FootyNumbers: https://footynumbers.com Try FootyHeads: https://footyheads.com Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@keeperleaguepod?sub_confirmation=1

Round 17 is done and dusted, and Heff is joined by special guest Warnie from The Traders and DT Talk to break down all the key talking points. With finals just around the corner, it’s crunch time in draft and keeper leagues. Whether you’re pushing for a flag or making trades to build for next season, this episode is packed with insight to help you get ahead. The boys run through the weekend’s standout performers, the flops, and the players you should be targeting on the waiver wire or through trade. There’s plenty of strategy talk, role analysis, and fantasy gold to give your side the edge. Stick around to the end as we answer some of your listener questions. Website: https://keeperleaguepod.com.au/ Membership: https://keeperleaguepod.com.au/keeper-league-membership/ Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/APjqvT22ze Play FootyNumbers: https://footynumbers.com Try FootyHeads: https://footyheads.com Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@keeperleaguepod?sub_confirmation=1

Round 16 of the 2025 AFL Fantasy season is done and dusted, and Heff is back behind the mic—this week joined by Jake from Hat Chat. With just a handful of rounds to go before finals, we take a look at the key performances from the weekend, focusing on players making an impact in deep draft and keeper leagues. Whether you're chasing a finals spot or building for the future, there's plenty to take from this round. We also answer listener questions and discuss strategies to help you make the right moves as the pointy end of the season approaches. Website: https://keeperleaguepod.com.au/ Membership: https://keeperleaguepod.com.au/keeper-league-membership/ Join our Discord server: https://discord.gg/APjqvT22ze Join the Keeper Fantasy platform: https://keeperfantasy.com/ FootyNumbers.com: https://footynumbers.com Play FootyHeads: https://footyheads.com Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@keeperleaguepod?sub_confirmation=1

Round 15 is done and dusted, and Heff is joined by Jordan D'Sena to break it all down. We go through the big fantasy performances, key role changes, and the players you need to keep an eye on in your draft and keeper leagues. Plenty of insights, strategy chat, and a few new names for your watchlist! Stick around for the Listener Questions at the end of the show. Website: https://keeperleaguepod.com.au/ Membership: https://keeperleaguepod.com.au/keeper-league-membership/ Join our Discord server: https://discord.gg/APjqvT22ze Join the Keeper Fantasy platform: https://keeperfantasy.com/ FootyNumbers.com: https://footynumbers.com Play FootyHeads: https://footyheads.com Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@keeperleaguepod?sub_confirmation=1