AFL Fantasy returns bigger and better than ever

AFL Fantasy Classic returns in 2026, with new features designed to make the management experience more flexible than ever before.

Speaking to Zero Hanger, fantasy experts The Traders offered insight into just who they're targeting with just over a week until the AFL Fantasy season begins anew, and how the game's new features can be best utilised.

Thanks to Crypto.com, the prize pool is bigger than ever before this season, with more than $350,000 in prizes up for grabs in the form of cash, cars and crypto.

Roy, Calvin and Warnie nominated baby Blue Jagga Smith, rebounding Roos defender Colby McKercher and St Kilda recruit Sam Flanders as their 'must haves', while also giving fans the inside track on the bargain players sure to drive an increase in team value.

Smith's impressive form in the pre-season suggests his value will skyrocket, after missing his entire debut season with an ACL injury, with Bomber Dyson Sharp, Tiger Sam Grlj and Roo Lachie Dovaston tipped to be the savviest investments among the competition's crop of first-year players.

After impressing over the course of pre-season action, Lachie Blakiston received a nod as a potential AFL Fantasy cash cow after assuming the Bombers' number one ruck duties. Similarly, Lachie McAndrew for the Crows looms as a low-risk, high-reward investment after he seemingly usurped incumbent Reilly O'Brien in the rucking pecking order at West Lakes. Priced under $300k, the former Swan could be a free hit for managers.

Deven Robertson finally saw his wish of heading homeward bound granted, leaving premiers Brisbane for cellar dwellers West Coast, in search of greater opportunity. The Traders anticipate his newfound midfield responsibilities translating into significant earnings.

After seasons derailed by lingering injury concerns, a pair of midfielders from Victorian powerhouses are priced favourably, at well below their market value. Essendon accumulator Darcy Parish and freshly re-signed Carlton catalyst Sam Walsh present as excellent value, having put forward exceptional AFL Fantasy seasons in years gone by. If either can stay on the park, managers can expect them to score heavily and increase their team's valuation in the process.

Mattaes Phillipou had some injury-affected scores last season, leading to a favourable price ahead of the 2026 campaign. In a Saints side predicted to rise, and with another pre-season under his belt, Phillipou received a nod as a value-based inclusion to a given side, too.

AFL Fantasy managers will have two new features at their disposal this season, with the platform introducing triple position (TPP) designation, and a time-on-ground threshold for even more scoring opportunities.

Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera has been earmarked as a player with TPP potential. The game's fastest rising star split time between half-back and the midfield last season, but has added scoring prowess to his toolkit. If he can spend 35% of his playing time in front of the sticks, he will be able to be deployed in whichever third of the ground managers see fit. A player will not lose that designation for the remainder of the season once it is afforded them.

An inclusion potentially a season too late, given the recent death of the sub, is the time-on-ground threshold. If a given player features in less than 50% of game time, an emergency with a higher score will supersede them, allowing players to not have an entire season derailed by an injury, for example. The Traders shared horror stories of years gone by that could have been avoided with this new, common-sense feature.

The prize pool is headlined by Crypto.com's $80,000 Cronos commitment, and the chance to win a Toyota Tundra Platinum, valued at $182,000, driveaway.

The season's winner will win $20,000 in Cronos thanks to Crypto.com, while the five highest weekly scores will each receive $200 in Cronos.

Sure to be a point of debate, the top trade each week will be rewarded with $200 in Cronos, thanks to Crypto.com. Each week's winner will be announced on The Traders podcast.

"The name of the game is increasing team value," The Traders tell us on the call, and, as such, the AFL Fantasy participant with the highest team valuation at the season's conclusion, inclusive of remaining salary, will receive $6,000 in Cronos.

A full breakdown of available prizes can be found at www.fantasy.afl.com.au/classic/prizes. To sign up and start building your team, head to www.fantasy.afl.com.au/.

AFL fans can sign up to Crypto.com at www.accounts.crypto.com/en/signup. Use the code “FANTASY26” at signup, trade $100AUD and receive $10 AUD into their account thanks to Crypto.com.