It's lockout week and even though we're a bit dusty after the best Fantasy Draft weekend of all time, we've got a lot of work to do to get our teams ready for the first game of round one on Wednesday night. We talk team structure, cash cows and all the important things you need to know as the season approaches way too quickly!

Play AFL Fantasy at http://fantasy.afl.com.au or download the free smartphone app.

Episode guide

1:00 - The boys are coming off the successful Bacon Cup Draft weekend.

2:45 - Roy's fun way of determining the Draft order.

4:00 - Calvin thinks his stash forwards strategy wasn't the best for his Draft squad.

6:30 - 7:10pm AEDT is the first lockout time where Demons and Bulldogs must be picked.

8:50 - If Hugo Ralphsmith is named, he's a great option for F6.

11:15 - Friday and Saturday 22s are named on Thursday, teams playing Sunday will be announced Friday.

15:30 - "You need 30 green dots playing this week".

20:00 - Will Brodie has gone from Calvin's team.

23:45 - Value defenders such as Justin McInerney, George Hewett and James Sicily are popular picks.

29:30 Questions from social media - follow @AFLFantasy on Twitter and like the Official AFL Fantasy facebook page.

31:45 - How to go about Fantasy Draft trades with your mates.

34:50 - If Jack Macrae is one of your big dog midfielders, make him your captain straight up.

39:30 - Is it crazy to consider Tim English with his RUC/FWD status?

43:00 - Roy's advice is to not chase PODs.

45:30 - Josh Kelly is one of the best midfield picks under-$900k.

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What a treat we have just a few days out from the first lockout of 2022! Three former winners of AFL Fantasy Classic. Trent Sutcliffe (2020), James Robinson (2018) and Selby Lee-Steere (2017/18*) generously gave up their time to answer questions from social media to help coaches finalise their squads. A compelling listen.

Play AFL Fantasy at http://fantasy.afl.com.au or download the free smartphone app.

Episode guide

2:00 - How James and Trent went in 2021.

3:00 - "Feel like I put in more work now than I did in 2017" - Selby isn't playing, but is producing is epic season guide.

4:25 - We've got a scarcity of rookies and may have to spend more on the bottom end players.

6:10 - What is the preferred ruck strategy?

8:45 - Do you take any cash into round one?

10:00 - How many rookies do you need to generate cash and how many points do you need from them?

11:45 - Could you go four deep with on-field rookies in the midfield?

14:15 - Zak Butters or Isaac Heeney?

16:20 - The verdict on Matt Crouch, Lachie Neale, Caleb Serong and Patrick Lipinski.

18:00 - Why Trent is disappointed that Justin McInerney and George Hewett performed so well in the pre-season.

21:05 - "Pick the best available" says Selby rather than trying to make your team unique based on ownership.

24:50 - Jack Crisp vs Jake Lloyd?

25:30 - What impact do they bye rounds have on initial team selection?

27:00 - How did they champions go in the last few rounds when they realised they were a shot at winning Fantasy Classic?

29:00 - Last minute advice for coaches finalising their teams this weekend.

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ABC commentator Corbin Middlemas has been playing in a Fantasy Draft league for over a decade. On most occasions they get together for a marathon draft where their squads of 40 players are picked in a four hour session. We chat with Corbin about all things Fantasy Draft ahead of the most popular weekend for drafting on the last footy free weekend for quite some time!

Play AFL Fantasy at http://fantasy.afl.com.au or download the free smartphone app.

Episode guide

1:30 - How Corbin's long-running league decided their draft order this year using a NBA game.

3:00 - 396 players play in the AFL each weekend, their league drafts 400 players.

4:55 - An ABC colleague says that Corbin is the worst Fantasy coach ever.

6:30 - What are important qualities in a good Fantasy Draft commissioner?

8:10 - A key to their Draft's fun is drafting in person. Nine of 11 drafts have involved all coaches in attendance.

10:00 - Does being a commentator give you an advantage as a Fantasy coach?

11:30 - Where does Corbin's team name come from?

12:25 - Tips for draft day when you're on the clock.

Find more content from The Traders at afl.com.au/fantasy.

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Nine games of the AAMI Community Series are in the can and while we have quite a few answers ... there are still plenty of questions as we approach the last week before lockout. We run through who stood out (and who didn't) from the dress rehearsal before the 2022 season commences! Let's do this!

Play AFL Fantasy at http://fantasy.afl.com.au or download the free smartphone app.

Episode guide

2:35 - Carlton v Melbourne

5:00 - Eight tackles for Patrick Cripps gives him a big tick.

8:50 - Max Gawn showed us why set-and-forget is the way to go.

10:00 - Western Bulldogs v Brisbane Lions

13:00 - Could you consider Tim English with his RUC/FWD dual-position status?

14:20 - Calvin has finally bitten the bullet and slotted Lachie Neale in his team.

17:30 - Hawthorn v Richmond

20:20 - Roy says James Sicily has done enough.

24:00 - Daniel Rioli and Hugo Ralphsmith are worth considering with their half-back roles.

26:40 - Adelaide v Port Adelaide

29:00 - 31 disposals was a positive sign for Matt Crouch.

31:30 - Lock in Zak Butters.

34:00 - Essendon v St Kilda

36:10 - Warnie thinks a couple of Bombers rookies could be a chance to play.

38:15 - If Patrick Ryder remains out, Rowan Marshall is a real option.

40:45 - GWS Giants v Collingwood

43:50 - Tim Taranto played forward, but scored well.

47:00 - Lock in Nick Daicos for the whole season.

51:50 - Sydney v North Melbourne

52:30 - Calvin has crossed Isaac Heeney off the list.

55:00 - Justin McInerney has a delicious role.

59:10 - The top scoring player under $300k was Tristain Xerri.

1:02: 00 - Roy says there's not enough "Hollywood time" for Tarryn Thomas.

1:04:05 - Fremantle v West Coast Eagles

1:06:00 - The role for Will Brodie looked great, but Fyfe needs to return.

1:08:40 - Looks like Tim Kelly has a lot of work to do for the Eagles and his Fantasy numbers should increase off the back of it.

1:10:20 - Eagles rookies, including new SSPs, could save us.

1:12:00 - Gold Coast v Geelong

1:14:25 - Where do you fit Matt Rowell in? M4 or M5?

1:17:10 - Sam De Koning can be locked on your bench.

1:20:50 - The Bacon Cup draft weekend is coming up and Roy is organising the draft order, but no one knows what's going on.

1:23:25 - Big news on a special live draft that you'll be able to watch.

Find more content from The Traders at afl.com.au/fantasy.

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Paul Montgomery, known online as @m0nty, is a pioneer in Fantasy footy. He created FanFooty.com.au almost two decades ago as there wasn't a platform for Fantasy coaches to check on live progress scores of their players. Monty shares some of his journey and gives some tips for the season ahead.

Play AFL Fantasy at http://fantasy.afl.com.au or download the free smartphone app.

Episode guide

1:00 - How Monty started FanFooty.

5:10 - Which live scoring icon is his favourite.

7:40 - Surely Monty is a great Fantasy coach with all the time he spends on the game?

9:15 - Noah Anderson is a POD of interest.

10:45 - "I like the big arsed footballers"

12:10 - Reminiscing about the original Fantasy podcast, the Coaches Box.

13:20 - Draft has always been the game Monty has loved the most.

15:30 - Cam Rayner is one Monty will be watching this week, drawing comparisons to Dustin Martin.

Find more content from The Traders at afl.com.au/fantasy.

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It's ruck week and even though the three spots make up just one-tenth of our Fantasy Classic squads, there are a range of options being explored. We catch up with last year's runner-up and 2x top 10 finisher Kyle Holmes to discuss the big men. Also Heff from the Keeper League Podcast helps us out with things to know ahead of the second year of Draft keeper leagues. It's another bumper episode! Let's do this!

Play AFL Fantasy at http://fantasy.afl.com.au or download the free smartphone app.

Episode guide

2:30 - There's plenty of tips from our reporters out of the practice matches.

5:40 - Dustin Martin scored a ton and didn't try.

8:15 - Justin Longmuir had positive words to say about Will Brodie.

11:10 - Andrew McGrath and Scott Pendlebury will add DPP.

15:00 - There could be a rookie crisis.

19:50 - Last year's runner up, Kyle Holmes, joins the boys.

22:15 - In 2021, Kyle started the season at 25,000th to come second. In 2018, he started strongly to hang onto a top 10 finish.

25:00 - "If you're hot on a premium and they don't score well in a practice match, don't think too much of it".

29:40 - Set and forget your rucks with Brodie Grundy and Max Gawn.

33:30 - There are plenty of flags for Jarrod Witt and Brayden Preuss.

40:15 - Warnie has some tips for commissioners to make sure their Draft day goes well.

43:00 - Heff from the Keeper League Podcast joins the show.

44:30 - Nick Daicos and Jason Horne-Francis are going earlier than they should in keeper leagues.

49:20 - Keep an eye on Conor Nash as a late round pick.

50:30 Questions from social media - follow @AFLFantasy on Twitter and like the Official AFL Fantasy facebook page.

55:30 - Roy was reminded to keep Josh Dunkley in his team no matter what.

59:00 - Would you pick Patrick Lipinski and George Hewett over Matt Rowell? 

1:04:20 - Pick Isaac Heeney over Zak Butters.

1:08:45 - Lachie Weller is justifiable in both Fantasy Classic and Draft.

Find more content from The Traders at afl.com.au/fantasy.

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Warnie winds the clock back to his teenage years when he was glued to the radio as they went around to grounds getting updates on all the footy action. He caught up with reporters from AFL.com.au and a special guest to give the rundown, from an AFL Fantasy perspective, of the nine pre-season practice matches from around the country.

Play AFL Fantasy at http://fantasy.afl.com.au or download the free smartphone app.

Episode guide

0:45 - Essendon v Western Bulldogs with Cal Twomey

2:25 - Darcy Parish continued in the midfield after getting the opportunity last season.

5:05 - Could we see DEF status added for Andrew McGrath early this season?

9:10 - Adam Treloar was the Bulldogs' best.

11:10 - Carlton v St Kilda with Riley Beveridge

12:00 - "He'll play 100 per cent midfield time" - Riley is keen on George Hewett's Fantasy stocks.

14:10 - Patrick Cripps looked leaner and refreshed.

18:00 - Returning from injury, Jade Gresham played a full game but is his role questionable?

19:40 - Melbourne v North Melbourne with Josh Gabelich

20:55 - "He looked classy" - Tarryn Thomas is one to keep an eye on.

22:45 - Fantasy coaches should believe the hype with Jason Horne-Francis.

25:00 - It was hard to get a read on the Max Gawn and Luke Jackson combo.

27:30 - Brisbane Lions v Adelaide Crows with Michael Whiting

28:50 - What can we expect from a Fantasy perspective for Cam Rayner?

31:00 - Lachie Neale will still play majority midfield.

34:55 - After more than 12 months out, Matt Crouch was solid on return.

36:20 - Gold Coast Suns v Port Adelaide with Michael Whiting

37:25 - We need to see another week from Matt Rowell before locking him in.

39:40 - Lachie Weller could be a smokey playing in the backline with MID/FWD status.

44:00 - What are Josh Sinn's round one chances?

44:15 - Collingwood v Hawthorn with Josh Gabelich

47:40 - "Collingwood supporters have been waiting four or five years for Nick Daicos".

51:00 - Will Scott Pendlebury gain DEF status at round six?

54:15 - Josh Ward looks like he'll play plenty of footy this year.

56:20 - Sydney Swans v GWS Giants with Jake Stein

58:25 - Stephen Coniglio has had an uninterrupted pre-season and is confident in his body.

59:50 - Who will be the No. 1 ruck? Braydon Preuss or Keiren Briggs.

1:01:00 - Isaac Heeney is a lock.

1:04:50 - Three of Jake's top Fantasy picks for this year.

1:07:40 - West Coast Eagles v Fremantle with Nathan Schmook

1:09:00 - Put a line through Campbell Chesser and Elliot Yeo for round one.

1:12:10 - Will Brodie attended almost all of Fremantle's centre bounces.

1:15:35 - Why Schmooky is cooling on popular rookie Nathan O'Driscoll.

1:17:15 - Geelong Cats v Richmond with Michael Whiting

1:18:20 - Dustin Martin had a ton of CBAs.

1:20:35 - Keen an eye on Hugo Ralphsmith who got rolling as the game went on.

1:22:25 - "I can almost guarantee Tom Stewart had the most Fantasy points".

Find more content from The Traders at afl.com.au/fantasy.

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Sitting across the desk from Selby, the Fantasy GOAT, is ex-Hawthorn/West Coast defender Xavier Ellis. He's jumped back on the Fantasy horse to bring podcasts with the two-time winner of AFL Fantasy Classic as part of the Moreira's Magic season guide. We chat with X about his playing days and find out what he's learned from Selby over the last couple of seasons including sharing some of his picks he'll be making this year.

Play AFL Fantasy at http://fantasy.afl.com.au or download the free smartphone app.

Episode guide

1:30 - How Xavier met Selby.

2:40 - What was his best season?

4:00 - Breaking the record for marks in a Grand Final, did Luke Hodge steal a Norm Smith?

5:55 - "Absolutely diabolical" is the summation of the 2021 Fantasy season for the Derek Henrys. 

8:30 - Trading in players on a Friday night is a good strategy, just so you can watch them.

10:05 - A 100 average is predicted for Tim Kelly.

12:00 - Find out who will be the No. 1 ruck in the competition by the end of the year.

14:00 - Xavier says to pick as many under-priced players as you can.

Find more content from The Traders at afl.com.au/fantasy.

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It's time to look at the defenders! Our men down back can rack up - especially if they're getting those bonus points from the kick-ins - so we get the help of some absolute gurus to help us make the right calls. The premiums, the value picks and the PODs are all covered in another bumper episode. Let's do this!

Play AFL Fantasy at http://fantasy.afl.com.au or download the free smartphone app.

Episode guide

1:30 - Midfield rotations, including centre bounce attendances, is one of the keys to watch for in the practice matches this week.

5:15 - Mitch Duncan has a calf concern and raises some issues for Fantasy Draft.

9:00 - After making the leadership group, Roy has locked in Caleb Serong.

13:10 - Maybe Dayne Zorko won't gain DEF status.

17:00 - There's mixed mail on Dustin Martin.

20:05 - After finishing eighth overall last, year, Harry Edwards joins the podcast.

23:30 - Harry is avoiding midpricers down back, but is backing in James Sicily.

28:00 - Tips on what to look for in the scratch matches.

31:10 - Roy has removed Jake Lloyd from his team.

36:45 - There could be a few rookies coming through which could dictate DEF structure. 

39:00 - After Whitfield, Crisp and Lloyd, you can throw a blanket over the next group of premiums.

44:30 - George Hewett is in five per cent of teams.

50:10 - James, coach of Gorringes and Lemmens, finished third overall and had the highest team value last year.

54:35 - James Sicily and Wayne Milera are James' D4 and D5.

58:45 - A wing role may sound good in theory, but could it limit Jordan Dawson's output?

1:01:30 - Questions from social media - follow @AFLFantasy on Twitter and like the Official AFL Fantasy facebook page.

1:06:10 - Could it be Wil Powell season?

1:09:20 - Could you pick Jayden Short over Whitfield?

1:11:30 - Brayden Preuss: yes or no?

Find more content from The Traders at afl.com.au/fantasy.

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This week on Coaches' Corner, we head to Hollywood to chat with Australian actor Ryan Corr. Best known for his role as Cody in Packed to the Rafters, the Logie nominated actor is an AFL Fantasy fanatic. He shares with the boys his love for Fantasy footy and how it keeps him connected to his mates... and takes away from the important things like learning lines.

Play AFL Fantasy at http://fantasy.afl.com.au or download the free smartphone app.

Episode guide

0:50 - Ryan's Fantasy career started 6 years ago when he was doing a play and a colleague was getting stuck into Fantasy footy.

2:40 - Banter is a big part of The Footy Cup's Whatsapp group!

5:00 - Ryan has been tinkering with his team since the game opened and approaches it with a big midfield.

6:40 - "I should be learning lines and doing auditions".

7:25 - Warnie is excited about Ryan's role in House of Dragon, the spinoff of Game of Thrones.

10:00 - Calvin's jokes are a highlight of the podcast according to Ryan.

12:15 - Ryan's tips for success to win your head-to-head league.

Find more content from The Traders at afl.com.au/fantasy.

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