This is a live recording of an episode from Liam & Jono on Twitter breaking down all the most important news of the week, the weekend's confirmed squads, and all your biggest questions and conundrums before the start of Round 2.

Follow us on Twitter/Instagram @freekickwpod

Come and join our open league! Invite link is below + our league code is: RSG4QUJL

The Free Kick gang of Liam, Willow, and Jono get together to chat the round that was and dive into the hot topics, the top trade targets, and all the AFLW Fantasy news coming out of the first round of the season, and heading into Round 2.

Episode Guide

0:00 - 2:40: Introduction 
2:41 - 12:10: Shipping Report 
12:11 - 13:37: Watch and Wait Scoreboard 
13:38 - 13:44 "The Kids Are Alright" - Rookie Analysis
13:45 - 22:04: Rookie Defenders 
22:05 - 27:47: Rookie Midfielders
27:48 - 31:03: Rookie Rucks 
31:04 - 38:13: Rookie Forwards 
38:14 - 48:27: "Believe It or Not?" Defenders
48:28 - 57:40: "Believe It or Not?" Midfielders
57:41 - 58:49: "Believe It or Not?" Rucks
58:50 - 1:13:20: "Believe It or Not?" Forwards
1:13:21 - 1:14:40: Captain's Corner 
1:14:41 - 1:17:30: Trade Plans
1:17:30 - 1:19:25: Outro

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Come and join our open league! Invite link is below + our league code is: RSG4QUJL

Follow @AFLFantasy and @FreeKickWPod on twitter to keep up to date with all the AFLW Fantasy news and updates before the season starts. 

Play the Official AFLW Fantasy game at http://aflwfantasy.afl

As the final lockout of the 2026 AFLW Fantasy approaches, the Free Kick gang run through a stack of things coaches need to think about before Round One (or at least the rest of it) including: 

The gang then went about drafting a collective 'Free Kick' team for 2026, where each host gets a chance to pick their favourite options under the salary cap!

Episode Guide

00:00 - Introduction & Review of St Kilda v Carlton 
06:08 - AFLW Injury List & the flow on effects
15:55 - Unique players to consider in 2026
22:21 - Key rookies to start with 
25:06 - Captains Call
26:59 - Deciding on a Free Kick team name
29:52 - Drafting the Free Kick collective team
46:30 - Discussing players that missed the cut
51:54 - Outro

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Come and join our open league! Invite link is below + our league code is: RSG4QUJL

Follow @AFLFantasy and @FreeKickWPod on twitter to keep up to date with all the AFLW Fantasy news and updates before the season starts. 

Play the Official AFLW Fantasy game at http://aflwfantasy.afl

This is a live recording of an episode from Liam & Mel, on Twitter breaking down all the most important news of the first game of the 2026 season, the weekend's confirmed squads, and all your biggest questions and conundrums before the start of the split Round 1.

Follow us on Twitter/Instagram @freekickwpod

Come and join our open league! Invite link is below + our league code is: RSG4QUJL

It was a near flawless year for the rampaging Roos in 2026 as they stormed to their second consecutive premiership in an unbeaten season. As good teams do they continued to evolve their powerhouse machine, and a big part of that was unearthing the talent of Blaithin Bogue who was All-Australian in her first season of AFLW! Liam was lucky enough to have a chat with her about her career and how the Kangaroos plan to continue their dominance into a third season!

North Melbourne Preview: 0:00 - 5:26

Blaithin Bogue Interview: 5:26 - 22:26

Top 5 Fantasy Picks: 22:26 - 43:42

Got feedback on what else you'd like to hear from the Free Kick gang this preseason? Drop us a message on Insta or Twitter @freekickwpod

Brisbane, long one of the league's best teams, took the long way around in 2025 and started the season slow and with a losing record going into Round 6. Their string of victories gave rise to another Grand Final season, and a few key fantasy breakouts. Liam and Jono are on to break down their chances to once again be a source of much success (and scoring), alongside a high octane chat between Willow and gun inside midfielder Belle Dawes!

Brisbane Intro and Stats Preview: 0:00 - 5:52

Bella Dawes Interview: 5:53 - 15:49

Top 5 Fantasy Picks: 15:50 - 35:54

Got feedback on what else you'd like to hear from the Free Kick gang this preseason? Drop us a message on Insta or Twitter @freekickwpod

Melbourne Demons rocketed up the ladder for an impressive come back to finals in 2025, and finished off the season with a nail-bitting performance against the unstoppable Kangaroos, where they were genuine contenders for the first three quarters. The Demons will be coming in 2026 with a new coach for the first time in 10 seasons, and Willow sits down with Shelley Heath to hear all about it!

Melbourne Preview: 0:00 - 3:13

Shelley Heath Interview: 3:14 - 17:01

Top 5 Fantasy Picks: 17:02 - 32:28

Got feedback on what else you'd like to hear from the Free Kick gang this preseason? Drop us a message on Insta or Twitter @freekickwpod

The Hawks backed up their 2024 rise with yet another top four finish last season. But after yet another straight set finals exit and a different cast of players to select from in 2026, coach Daniel Webster has his work cut out for him to keep the Hawks at the top! Listen in as Willow chats with Jenna Richardson about Hawthorn's "elephant under the carpet", plus Jono and Liam discuss the top 5 Fantasy picks. 

Hawthorn Preview: 0:00 - 6:04

Jenna Richardson Interview: 6:05 - 18:18

Top 5 Fantasy Picks: 18:19 - 32:36

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Got feedback on what else you'd like to hear from the Free Kick gang this preseason? Drop us a message on Insta or Twitter @freekickwpod

Free Kick's Liam, Mel, and Willow are on board to deliver the final position preview of the 2026 preseason, covering the rucks. They cover the predicted top scorers, the options who could challenge them, and dive into the top rookies!

Also, they answer a truckload of questions from our loyal listeners as we navigate the final days before the start of the AFLW Fantasy season. 

Episode Guide

Intro: 00:00 - 2:25

Rucks

Top 3 Rucks and Premium Ruck Strategy: 2:56 - 11:46

The Chasing Pack: 11:47 - 17:35

The Rookies Rucks : 17:36 -  32:58

Listener Questions

Game Mechanics: 32:59 - 34:42

St Kilda vs Carlton Strategy: 34:43 - 37:53

Marvel Games = Scoring?: 37:54 - 4 0:22

Team Structure Questions: 40:23 - 45:50

Draft Class Weakness: 45:51 - 47:36

Zippy Fish and Daisy D'Arcy concerns: 47:37 - 51:52

Rookie Ruck Structure?: 51:53 - 53:50

Who are the premium Defenders?: 53:51 - 55:05

Emonson vs Cowcher vs Cash: 55:06.- 56:15

Hatchard vs Rowbottom value: 55:16 - 57:53

Hosts' Preferred Midfield Structure: 57:54 - 1:00:40

Michaela Bowen: 1:00:41 - 1:02:13

Toogood or Richards: 1:02:14 - 1:03:50

Pick your poison: 1:03:51 - 1:12:39

Upcoming episodes and "Add a Celebrity" Function: 1:12:40 - 1:15:40

Wrap: 1:15:41 - 1:16:55

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Come and join our open league! Invite link is below + our league code is: RSG4QUJL

Follow @AFLFantasy and @FreeKickWPod on twitter to keep up to date with all the AFLW Fantasy news and updates before the season starts. 

Play the Official AFLW Fantasy game at http://aflwfantasy.afl

Carlton were the biggest surprise packet of the 2025 season, playing exciting footy to blast their way to the preliminary finals. The Blues were lead by a raft of exciting youngsters who lead the way up forward, while their Irish players stoof up in a big way to announce the club as a serious threat. Continuing the Irish theme, Mel was lucky enough to interview up-and-coming Irish star Aisling Reidy, getting the inside goss on the club and how they will be looking to maintain the rage in 2026!

Carlton Preview: 0:00 - 6:46

Aisling Reidy interview: 6:46 - 22:11

Top 5 Fantasy Picks: 22:11 - 37:50

Got feedback on what else you'd like to hear from the Free Kick gang this preseason? Drop us a message on Insta or Twitter @freekickwpod