Free Kick: The AFLW Fantasy podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Mel and Liam are excited to have Will back on deck as he runs the gang through his Sweet 16

Episode guide: 

Intro + Shipping Report: 0:00 - 20:31
Sweet 16: 20:32 - 1:10:02
Captains’ Corner + Trade Plans: 1:10:03 - 1:21:19

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

CODE: CEDASR2M

https://aflwfantasy.afl/leagues/join/CEDASR2M

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

Much to Liam's delight, the gang returns to near full force as they break down the third of these challenging double game rounds and prepare for our end of season push. Jono and Mel marvel at the Hawks v Freo classic to end the round, whilst Liam stresses the importance of owning Marinoff as she prepares to line up twice in Week 7. 

Episode guide: 

Intro + Shipping Report: 0:00 - 14:49
Week 6 Trade or Spade: 14:50 - 25:11
Week 7 Trade Targets: 25:12 - 1:02:38
Life beyond the Double Weeks: 1:02:39 - 1:06:10
Captains’ Corner: 1:06:11 - 1:11:00
Trade Plans: 1:11:01 - 1:14:09
Outro: 1:14:10 - 1:15:34

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

CODE: CEDASR2M

https://aflwfantasy.afl/leagues/join/CEDASR2M

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

Free Kick: On Air is back for season 2024!

This is a live recording of Liam, Mel, and Jono chatting on Twitter/X (albeit with great technological difficulty) breaking down:

  - Thursday's team announcements;

 - Injury News; and

 - all the key topics ahead of the first lockout of 2024!

Follow us on Twitter @freekickwpod!

The Western Bulldogs were the best of the rest in Season 6, falling one spot outside of finals. The high scoring team were up and down through a tough fixture, but their fantasy scoring was some of the most consistent in the league. Join Mel, Will and Jono as they talk through some of the big fantasy names at the Western Bulldogs and the replacements for a few offseason departures.

Episode Guide

1:10 The Bulldogs have been leaking superstars over the past few years, and 2022 was no exception with another round of departures this offseason. How will this affect their fantasy scoring?

4:34 Defenders – Does Geelong recruit Millie Brown hold the key to unlocking the fantasy potential of the Western Bulldogs? Stranger Things have happened…

12:24 Midfielders – Ellie Blackburn and Kirsty Lamb are the big names in the kennel, but it’s draftee Rylie Wilcox and the returning Gabby Newton who have captured our attention

27:18 Forwards – replacing Bonnie Toogood is a tough challenge but Will thinks Nell Morris-Dalton is up to the task. Draftee Heidi Woodley is a sneaky chance for a round 1 debut.

32:41 Rucks – Jono is riding high on Celine Moody’s rapid rise to fantasy prominence, is she a lock for your side?

The Eagles faced a lot of challenges in Season 6 with Covid-19 travel restrictions, numerous injuries and a new coach at the helm. Plus, a raft of player movement following Season 7 has the Eagles set for a shake-up. We’re joined by midfielder Hayley Bullas to talk through some of the challenges involved in making the leap to AFLW level, and hear some of her fantastic insights into West Coast’s season ahead.

Episode Guide

0:24 Season 6 was one to forget, but an unchanged leadership & coaching line up is a vote of confidence for the ladder climb ahead.

2:12 Hayley chats with Jono and Will about her time with the West Coast Eagles, the offseason movements at the club so far and what we can expect from some relevant Fantasy players this season.

21:28 Defenders – a mix of expansion club movements and retirements means WCE is rolling out a new look backline. Surprise draftee Zoe Wakfer is likely to debut early in the season, whilst Will thinks Aisling McCarthy could present a bit of value with her discounted price.

24:21 Midfielders – Bella Lewis and Dana Hooker are two that might bounce back after quiet seasons (by their standards); captain Emma Swanson might fly under the radar despite being the 7th highest fantasy scorer in Season 6.

30:38 Forwards – the form of Ella Roberts in the WAFLW has Will very excited to have her in his team.

32:29 Rucks – Hayley is positive that Sarah Lakay is ready to ruck solo with her physicality; draftee Lauren Wakfer will sadly miss Season 7 with an ACL injury.

18 CLUBS IN 18 DAYS

While the Saints struggled to get going in Season 6, there are some promising signs for Season 7 with a lot of young players ready to build on the opportunities they had last season and returning players to provide additional support. We chat with Tarni White (following her impressive move to the midfield in Season 6) to find out how the Saints are looking ahead of Season 7.

Episode Guide

0:34 One of the more recent expansion sides, the Saints have been inconsistent so far but another pre-season under coach Nick Dal Santo has the players ready to climb the ladder.

2:00 Tarni chats with us about her time with the Saints, the pre-season so far and what we can expect from some relevant Fantasy players this season.

21:12 Defenders – Hannah Priest could be set for more midfield time, and offer up a lot of value; B&F winner Bianca Jakobsson is a consistent scorer as an intercepting defender.

25:41 Midfielders – the discounted Tyanna Smith and Georgia Patrikios look to be super value, but question marks around whether Georgia plays in round 1? Tarni White should build her scoring consistency with a season under her belt; and draftee Hannah Stuart has a fantasy pedigree.

31:21 Forwards – the hard tackling Nicola Xenos is likely to build on her midfield minutes; and Nicola Stevens is a fantastic addition up forward to partner the impressive Caitlin Greiser. Draftee J’Noemi Anderson is an exciting prospect but it's a tough forward line to be building fantasy scores in.

35:59 Rucks – Leah Cutting missing the season with an ACL injury has devastated the Free Kick team, but recruit Erin McKinnon is set to shoulder the ruck load in Season 7. An elite tap ruck, who will do more for the St Kilda midfielders than our fantasy teams.

A season marred by injury never quite saw the Tigers reach their pre-season potential. But the Tigers have improved all over the ground, and are a good chance to make their first finals series in Season 7. Following an impressive season in the ruck (and the #2 fantasy scorer in her position), Gabby Seymour jumps on the podcast to give an insight into how the Tigers are looking ahead of Season 7.

Episode Guide

0:48 Richmond have been impacted by injuries in recent seasons, but have a lot of top end talent for us to consider in our Fantasy teams.

4:30 Gabby chats with us about her time with the Tigers and the pre-season so far.

25:43 Defenders – the pick up of Libby Graham will free up a few high possession players like Jess Hosking and Kate Dempsey.

29:00 Midfielders – if the team can stay fit & healthy, Richmond’s midfield unit of Mon Conti, Grace Egan and Ellie McKenzie are all fantasy options for us in Season 7.

35:58 Forwards – superstar Katie Brennan is a consistent forward option, but Liam reckons her selection relies on Richmond finding new avenues to goal

39:17 Rucks – Gabby Seymour is the poster child for rucks impacting around the ground, and there is nothing slowing her down for Season 7.

North Melbourne's high scoring game style has impressed throughout their short time in the competition, and produced a similarly high scoring fantasy game. Superstar Emma Kearney joins Liam and Jono on the podcast to talk about her move to defence last season, and how the Kangaroos are looking to build into Season 7.

Episode Guide

0:37 Another super fantasy relevant team - we could be looking at the highest scoring player on every line. 

1:54 Emma Kearney chats with us about her time in the AFLW, and what we can expect from the Kangaroos in the season ahead!

21:20 Defence - Emma Kearney is a chance for highest scoring defender in Season 7. Irish recruit Erika O'Shea might be an exciting debutant to watch running off half-back.

27:03 Midfield - Disposals record holder Ashleigh Riddell is a unique premium option you don't want to miss out on. We might be seeing cheap players like Taylah Gatt and Perri King getting a regular game in Season 7.

33:20 Forwards - Jas Garner could be head and shoulders above every other forward in the competition... if she is listed as a forward... and Irish recruit Vikki Wall could be something very special.

41:43 Rucks - shared ruck duty for Emma King and Kim Rennie might have us looking elsewhere.

18 CLUBS IN 18 DAYS

The Melbourne Demons came agonisingly close to taking home the chocolates in Season 6, and are gearing up for another tilt at the Premiership. Join Mel, Liam and Will as they talk through some of the champion fantasy players at the Dees, and the players we have on our watchlist to start this new season.

Episode Guide

0:28 The grand finalists from Season 6 have stars all over the ground, but is there any fantasy value left for us coaches? 

2:40 Defenders – Sarah Lampard's flexibility might see her rotating through the midfield again in Season 7.

6:56 Midfielders – Will is backing Lily Mithen and Olivia Purcell for big seasons, with both standing out over the other Melbourne midfield stars.

17:17 Forwards – with an unfortunate injury to Eliza McNamara, Kate Hore is an option to move up onto the wing. A few veterans round out a powerhouse forward line.

28:11 Rucks – All-Australian ruck Lauren Pearce is set to back up her impressive season 6.

18 CLUBS IN 18 DAYS

GWS won't just have a new coach in the upcoming Season 7, there'll be a whole new game plan too. Join Mel, Liam and Will as they talk through some of the unknowns, and the players we have on our watchlist to start this new season.

Episode Guide

0:41 A new coach, a new game style – the GWS Giants are in for a big shake up in Season 7.

1:30 Defenders – a host of departures means a whole new defensive line up and a lot of opportunity for our Fantasy teams.

9:00 Midfielders – captain Alicia Eva was an impressive unique pick in Season 6, but Alyce Parker and Bec Beeson offer much better value.

19:19 Forwards – Draftee Zarlie Goldsworthy is an inside bull with a junior fantasy pedigree, is forward status on the cards? And GWS will be looking for new avenues to goal beyond veteran superstar Cora Staunton.

24:50 Rucks – a cheap ruck! The departures of dominant ruck duo Erin McKinnon and Ally Morphett to expansion clubs creates a lot of opportunity for draftee Fleur Davis.