PRE-SEASON training is ramping up across the competition and with that comes plenty of Fantasy news.
Players are beginning to catch the eye in match simulations at clubs with matches now just days away.
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Popular premium options Nick Daicos and Andrew Brayshaw are among the players who have been in the news already.
Catch up with all the Fantasy news you may have missed so far this pre-season.
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February 4
Dockers recruit Shai Bolton (MID/FWD, $754,000) is dealing with a calf injury that could see him miss the Indigenous All-Stars' clash against Fremantle on February 15.
Hayden Young (MID, $953,000) has been ruled out for the Dockers due to a hamstring injury.
A cloud over Rowan Marshall (RUC, $1,201,000) for round one? Not so, according to Saints coach Ross Lyon, who declared the star ruckman are certain starter for St Kilda's opener.
Eagles gun Elliot Yeo (MID, $933,000) is expected to miss the start of the season after undergoing syndesmosis surgery, while Harley Reid (MID, $685,000) is managing ankle soreness.
February 3
Power gun Jason Horne-Francis (MID/FWD, $919,000) believes an off-season trip to the United States could help set him up to play more midfield minutes this year.
The Bulldogs were dealt another injury blow with defender Liam Jones (DEF, $527,000) ruled out for at least the next two months due to a hamstring injury.
That could open the door to Jedd Busslinger (DEF, $230,000) to make his AFL debut early in 2025.
February 2
Plenty of eyes were on the Bulldogs' intraclub in Maroochydore on Sunday.
Ryley Sanders (MID/FWD, $656,000) impressed in his bid to fill the void left by the injured Adam Treloar (MID, $1,129,000).
Matt Kennedy (MID/FWD, $791,000) was also a strong performer, Sam Davidson (FWD, $230,000) continued to mount his case for a round one debut and Riley Garcia (FWD, $645,000) also made his mark.
Harvey Gallagher (MID, $562,000) starred playing in defence.
January 31
It was a huge day of news.
Tiger Tom Lynch (FWD, $435,000) suffered a concussion at training, while Seth Campbell (FWD, $510,000) spent time in the midfield and Sam Banks (MID, $448,000) provided dash from defence.
Saints defender Dougal Howard (DEF, $514,000) will miss three months, with Arie Schoenmaker (DEF, $494,000) in line to cover in his absence. Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (DEF, $1,003,000) starred in match simulation, Max Hall (MID/FWD, $230,000) impressed and Jack Macrae (FWD, $732,000) hasn't missed a beat at his new club.
Hugo Garcia (MID/FWD, $421,000) and Angus Hastie (MID, $230,000) are also pushing for spots in round one.
The Bulldogs were dealt a blow with star midfielder Adam Treloar (MID, $1,129,000) to miss the start of the season due to a series of calf strains.
Ryley Sanders (MID/FWD, $656,000) has impressed this pre-season and recruit Matt Kennedy (MID/FWD, $791,000) looks set to slot into the midfield rotation at the Dogs.
Eagles star Harley Reid (MID, $685,000) hurt his leg during match simulation, but there is plenty to keep an eye on at West Coast.
Elijah Hewett (MID/FWD, $332,000) was prominent in the middle, Jack Hutchinson (FWD, $385,000) was used in wing and midfield roles for the stronger team and Ryan Maric (MID/FWD, $421,000) continued his shift into defence, used as a rebounder and with kick-in duties.
Bo Allan (DEF/MID, $295,000) also played in the stronger side, although there were a few players missing.
There was an injury scare at the Dockers with gun recruit Shai Bolton (MID/FWD, $754,000) suffering a suspected calf injury.
January 30
Don't be concerned about Nick Daicos (MID, $1,074,000). After dealing with plantar fasciitis in his foot, the Pies gun told AFL.com.au he would be ready for Opening Round.
A potential rookie option? The Suns signed Ben Jepson (DEF, $230,000) via the pre-season supplemental selection period.
Kangaroos young gun George Wardlaw (MID, $803,000) suffered another cruel injury blow, with his hamstring injury to sideline him for months.
January 29
Where will Giants recruit Jake Stringer (FWD, $676,00) go in drafts? GWS coach Adam Kingsley told AFL.com.au how he plans to use the former Bomber.
Another potential draft option, George Wardlaw (MID, $803,000) has suffered a hamstring injury.
At the Eagles, recruit Liam Baker (MID/FWD, $805,000) hurt his ankle during a match sim.
A popular option in Classic, Crows recruit Isaac Cumming (MID, $575,000) is back in full training and impressing. James Peatling (MID, $634,000) is also making his mark, according to teammate Mitch Hinge.
Coaches can knock Jason Johannisen (DEF, $834,000) down their draft boards after the Bulldogs defender suffered a hamstring injury in training.
January 28
Coaches will be forced into at least one rethink after news popular forward option Mattaes Phillipou (MID/FWD, $656,000) would miss the start of the 2025 campaign due to a stress fracture in his leg.
If that news wasn't bad enough, the Saints also confirmed star ruckman Rowan Marshall (RUC, $1,201,000) was dealing with a stress fracture in his pelvis.
St Kilda said it was hopeful Marshall would be "available for round one or soon thereafter".
Among the many under-priced options being considered, Giant Stephen Coniglio (MID, $789,000) is targeting an Opening Round return.
Coniglio averaged 76.9 last year and played just 13 games, down from 101.6 and 23 respectively in 2023.
Hawks gun Will Day (MID, $760,000) has confirmed he is having stints up forward and it is something he wants to add to his game.
At the Tigers, popular rookie selection Josh Smillie (MID, $322,000) has suffered a minor hamstring injury, but Richmond is hopeful the No.7 pick will feature in pre-season matches. Josh Gibcus (DEF, $230,000) will miss the early rounds.
Another pre-season, another injury for Essendon defender Jordan Ridley (DEF, $880,000) which is likely a bigger impact on Draft coaches than in Fantasy Classic.
January 27
Elliot Yeo (MID, $933,000) could miss the start of the season after scans confirmed the severity of the knee and ankle injuries he suffered at training.
There were also injury news at the Bulldogs, with ruckman Tim English (RUC, $1,074,000) to be on a modified program due to an abdominal injury.
January 24
Is 2025 the year Jordan De Goey (MID, $819,000) reaches new heights in Fantasy? The Magpie took another step towards a return to full fitness.
In big news, Nick Daicos (MID, $1,074,000) showed no signs of the plantar fascia issue that has limited his training in January, while recruit Dan Houston (DEF, $964,000) starred across half-back during match simulation.
At West Coast, Elliot Yeo (MID, $933,000) was hurt during the Eagles' match sim.
After being used in multiple roles throughout his career, recruit Liam Baker (MID/FWD, $805,000) continued to play in defence, while Jack Graham (MID/FWD, $662,000) was influential through the middle.
Reuben Ginbey (MID, $617,000) continued in defence, popular rookie option Elijah Hewett (MID/FWD, $332,000) featured and Jack Hutchinson (FWD, $385,000) won his fair share of the ball in a surprise role in the middle.
January 23
It was a big day of match sims on Thursday.
Connor Budarick (DEF, $709,000), picked by some coaches a year ago, made his mark at Gold Coast with star recruit Daniel Rioli (DEF, $857,000) recovering from a knee injury.
While Nick Watson (FWD, $569,000) starred at Hawthorn, popular option Will Day (MID, $760,000) also dazzled, but swapped between midfield and deep forward.
Midfielder Josh Ward (MID, $577,000) is pushing for more opportunities and James Sicily (DEF, $896,000) is nearing a return to full contact training.
January 22
For coaches considering saving some cash on their ruck lines, the news the Dockers were sending Sean Darcy (RUC, $798,000) to Qatar may put those plans on the backburner.
Freo is looking at methods to strengthen the ruckman's troublesome knee after he was restricted to 12 games in 2024, following on from an ankle injury in 2023.
At the Western Bulldogs, Marcus Bontempelli (MID, $1,101,000) is enjoying a strong pre-season and Ed Richards (MID, $882,000) is flourishing from a full summer in the midfield after his positional switch in 2024.
Jordan Croft (FWD, $230,000) and Sam Davidson (FWD, $230,000) have also impressed and could be rookie-priced options.
January 21
Company for Rowan Marshall (RUC, $1,201,000) at St Kilda?
The Saints confirmed the signing of Harry Boyd (RUC, $230,000) during the pre-season supplemental selection period (SSP) to boost their ruck stocks.
January 20
A popular premium, Fremantle gun Andrew Brayshaw (MID, $1,073,000) was among the standouts during a Dockers match simulation.
Fellow vice-captain Caleb Serong (MID, $1,067,000) spent the session away from the main group, returning wing Nathan O'Driscoll (MID, $441,000) was impactful and draftee Murphy Reid (MID, $292,000) kicked two goals.
Read Nathan Schmook's full match sim report here.
With spots up for grabs at Greater Western Sydney, Conor Stone (FWD, $230,000) is determined to make one of them his.
Harry Perryman and Isaac Cumming left the Giants in the off-season, providing opportunities for others in 2025.
January 18
Is Josh Rachele (FWD, $661,000) set to step up in 2025? The Crow was backed by vice-captain Ben Keays to reach another level this year.
A more popular option, Izak Rankine (FWD, $819,000) produced an "electric" match sim performance, according to Keays.
January 17
A popular Fantasy pick in recent seasons, Carlton defender Nic Newman (DEF, $1,052,000) was ruled out for the season after suffering a knee injury.
January 14
It's another interrupted pre-season for Carlton star Sam Walsh (MID, $1,089,000).
The midfielder suffered a hamstring injury at training but is expected to be fit for the start of the season.
Every club previewed
Brisbane: Track returning defender, young gun an option
Sydney: Captain a bargain, defender an option
Port Adelaide: Lock in this midfield bull, watch on draftee
Geelong: Recruit offers mega value, watch on veterans
Greater Western Sydney: Lock in Tom Green, eye on Finn Callaghan, beware Josh Kelly
Hawthorn: Don't sleep on Sicily, should you seize the Day?
Western Bulldogs: Lock this Dog in, recruit to watch
Carlton: Gun draftee a steal, lock in athletic tall
Collingwood: Lock in star, youngster tempting again
Fremantle: Talent to burn, is gun recruit worth a punt?
Essendon: Skipper's decade of dominance, defenders galore
St Kilda: Track recruit, is young star set for breakout year?
Gold Coast: Midfield tempters, recruits worth watching
Melbourne: Skipper a lock, can gun duo return to peak form?
Adelaide: Big names in spotlight, ex-Giants to consider
West Coast: Harley building, keep track of former Tigers
North Melbourne: Recruit a bargain, eyes on young guns
Richmond: Kids take centre stage, can mid bounce back?
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