Free Kick: The AFLW Fantasy Podcast

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

The Adelaide Crows have been the most successful team in AFLW history, but in 2025 the surging pack seemed to catch up with them. Their list remains formidable despite several big name departures/absences, yet all eyes will beon how new coach Ryan Davis' arrival will shape the clubs' fortunes. The Crows will be eager to return to the upper echelons of the competition, and to hear how Jono was lucky enough to sit down with former skipper Sarah Allan to get all the insights!

Adelaide Preview: 0:00 - 4:39

Sarah Allan interview: 4:39 - 21:14

Top 5 Fantasy Picks: 21:14 - 37:08

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, Willow, and Jono caught every AFLW practice match over the weekend and are here to share all their AFLW Fantasy intel. Listen in as plenty of names get discussed as we piece our teams together over the next week before the first lockout!

Episode Guide

Intro: 00:00 - 1:49

Collingwood vs West Coast: 1:50 - 9:41 

Sydney vs Hawthorn: 9:42 - 15:46

Essendon vs North Melbourne: 15:47 - 21:29

Melbourne vs Port Adelaide: 21:30 - 28:36

Gold Coast vs Carlton: 28:27 - 35:56

Richmond vs Fremantle: 35:57 - 41:54

Adelaide vs St Kilda: 41:55 - 48:25

Geelong vs Brisbane: 48:26 - 53:29

GWS vs Western Bulldogs: 53:30 - 1:00:08

Fantasy squad changes: 1:00:09 - 1:01:25

Wrap: 1:01:26 - 1:03:45

-----------------------

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

After a down year for Geelong in 2025, all signs are pointing up for the news coming into this new season, with a brand new coaching staff headed by ex-Melbourne premiership coach Mick Stinear looking to usher in a new era of successful footy. That Cats already sport one of the league's best midfields, but to unpack how the rest of the side will develop under a new coach (and develop into fantasy options), Liam and Mel's chat is supplemented by Willow's interview with Kate Surman

Geelong Intro and Stats Preview: 0:00 - 3:44

Kate Surman Interview: 3:45 - 18:41

Top 5 Fantasy Picks: 18:42 - 35:35

Original Kate Surman Interview: https://free-kick-the-fantasyw-podcast.castos.com/episodes/geelong-aflw-fantasy-preview-2023-ft-kate-surman

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 Essendon Bombers had a second year in a row impacted by injury, as they struggled to get their best players on the park all at once. That does mean that there are a handful of Dons who should grace our fantasy sides in 2026! Listen in to Mel and Liam chat through it all, and Willow sitting down with young gun Georgia Gee!  

Essendon Intro and Stats Preview: 0:00 - 5:05

Georgia Gee Interview: 5:06 - 14:47

Top 5 Fantasy Picks: 14:48 - 32:13

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

Next up in our position analysis is the goalkicking, excitement machines that are AFLW Forwards. Liam, Willow and Jono discuss the incredible options to pick in 2026, starting off with a Predicted Top 6 forwards, some underpriced premiums, the midpricers and of course the all important rookies. 

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

Forwards Review: 0:00 - 2:55

Predicted Top 6 for 2026: 2:56 - 17:59

Underpriced Premiums: 18:00 - 31:25

Mid-Price Madness: 31:26 - 41:30

Rookies to watch: 41:31 - 53:07

Final Thoughts and Strategy: 53:08 - 56:56

St Kilda started off Season 2025 with an absolute shocker of a win against Adelaide, and put in a great season to make their maiden finals apprearance, where their season ended in an Adelaide re-match. Jono chats with one of the Saints breakout players in 2025, mid forward Ash Richards, and Mel and Willow notice that a correlation between St Kilda's most fantasy relevant picks in 2026 and prior interviewees, our Friends of the Pod!

St Kilda Preview: 0:00 - 3:26

Ash Richards Interview: 3:27 - 20:56

Top 5 Fantasy Picks: 20:57 - 34:33

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

They were the talk of the town in 2025, and West Coast look primed to take another leap forward under the watchful eye of Daisy Pearce in 2026. With all 4 lines stacked with exceptional young talent, none moreso than superstar inside midfielder Ella Roberts, the Eagles looked primed to deliver some fantasy options for 2026!

West Coast Intro and Stats Preview: 0:00 - 4:26

Amy Franklin Interview: 4:27 - 29:00

Top 5 Fantasy Picks: 29:01 - 45:46

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

After an impressive 2025 campaign the Sydney Swans just missed out on finals. With a new coach, some new talent and a handfull more wins, the Swans are looking ready for finals contention in 2026! Willow chats with elite defensive midfielder Tanya Kennedy about her inspirational story into the AFLW and the Swans line up for 2026, and Mel and Jono discuss the top 5 Fantasy picks, including the platforms highest averaging player of 2025, Laura Gardiner!

Sydney Preview: 0:00 - 3:09

Tanya Kennedy Interview: 3:10 - 18:25

Top 5 Fantasy Picks: 18:26 - 36:34

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

It's time again for the long, meaty Midfielders pre-season review. In an episode overflowing with honourable mentions, Jono, Mel and Liam work their way through the Top 8 (+1) elite mids, the underpriced premos, the midpricers and the all important rookies, of which there are quite a few to choose from across the midfield line. 

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

Midfielders Review: 0:00 - 3:08

Predicted Top 8 for 2026: 3:09 - 24:40

Underpriced Premiums: 24:41 - 33:20

Mid-Price Madness: 33:21 - 46:46

Rookies to watch: 46:47 - 53:29

Final Thoughts and Strategy: 53:30 - 56:37