FANTASY coaches expertly navigated early bye rounds for the first time in 2024, and this year is shaping as a little easier.

The introduction of Opening Round has led to multiple clubs having byes early in the year, as well as in the middle, with AFL Fantasy starting in round one. 

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This year, those early byes are only stretching over three weeks, instead of the four of last year.

The rescheduling of the two postponed Opening Round fixtures has also made life easier for coaches. Only six teams have an early bye, and it's just two clubs on each of rounds two, three and four.

Remember, only your best 18 on-field scores count through the bye rounds so coaches should have plenty of coverage.

Last year's Fantasy Classic champion Chris Burnham incredibly started 11 players who played in Opening Round, and therefore had an early bye, with Greater Western Sydney stars Tom Green and Lachie Whitfield and Sydney duo Isaac Heeney and Brodie Grundy among them.

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Chris had five players on the round five bye and four in round three, but his maximum number of players in a single position on a bye was two.

While Opening Round has led to early byes, it has also created opportunity, with coaches getting a close look at players in home and away games before AFL Fantasy starts.

Speaking to The Traders during the 2025 pre-season, he said coaches could afford to pick players with an early bye if they saw value.

For Fantasy Draft commissioners, don't forget to adjust your league settings. Leagues should play through the bye rounds but adjust the squad size under the line-up setting.

Gold Coast and Essendon have their byes in rounds two and four respectively. Remember, their clash scheduled for round 24 will not count in AFL Fantasy Classic.

So where does that leave us for this year, as things stand?

Round two bye: Gold Coast and Greater Western Sydney
The two most popular options are basement-priced duo James Leake (DEF, $230,000) and Conor Stone (FWD, $230,000). Cody Angove (MID/FWD, $271,000) has also been a possible target, but coaches will be glad to have a look at Opening Round to see who to pick. Tom Green (MID, $1,020,000) is injured and coaches are generally avoiding premium options in Sam Flanders (DEF/MID, $1,110,000) and Lachie Whitfield (DEF, $1,150,000). Flanders has also dealt with a back issue this pre-season. If you want Suns gun Noah Anderson (MID, $1,067,000) or half-back Daniel Rioli (DEF, $857,000), you should have enough cover for the week. This bye should be relatively easy to navigate.

Round three bye: Collingwood and Sydney
This was the significant bye before Brisbane's clash against Geelong was moved to round three following its postponement. That move has opened up plenty of possibilities for coaches. Nick Daicos (MID, $1,070,000), Harry Perryman (DEF, $759,000) and Matt Roberts (DEF, $780,000) are the most popular options who are on this bye. But it has become far less of a concern for coaches should they also wish to pick the likes of Sam De Koning (DEF, $564,000) or even Dayne Zorko (DEF, $1,131,000).

Round four bye: Essendon and Hawthorn 
Coaches are mostly looking at rookie and value options from the Bombers and Hawks, with Zach Reid (DEF, $230,000) and Isaac Kako (MID/FWD, $304,000) the most popular, while Will Day (MID, $760,000) is being backed for a strong year. If you're interested in any other premium or mid-priced option, there should be no reason not to make the pick as this is another early bye round that should be easily manageable.

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