If you’re reading this article, my guess is that you’re a fellow AFL Fantasy tragic. For decades, I’ve enjoyed a post-Grand Final break from Football, but after a few short weeks, I’m chomping at the bit to dive right back into footy again. Yeah, we chat about the GF, the Brownlow and the Trade Period. Which Senior Coach will be the first booted? How badly will ‘X’ player misbehave this break? But really, what better way to launch back in than to start planning next season’s Fantasy targets, Classic Salary Cap strategies and off-season keeper league trades?

Having spent nearly 20 years playing AFL Fantasy, the doorway back into footy is always open, ready to welcome me back. Fantasy Footy NEVER sleeps. In this time, I have been fortunate enough to build some great networks of like-minded footy fiends that love talking all things AFL. However, in every new league or group chat joined, there is always someone new to the ‘Fantasy Community’ that is grateful to have found the group. People struggling to find great footy fans to converse with because they live in NRL or Soccer heartlands or simply struggle for time to find the right people. This – and my hunger for competition – led me to create AFL Fantasy Factory and the Factory Draft and Classic Championships. A place to compete in Head-2-Head Draft & Classic Fantasy leagues that offers a little extra each year.

What is AFL Fantasy Factory all about?

AFL Fantasy Factory aims to become the purest, most competitive promotion/relegation competition in the world of AFL Fantasy. To do that, we have created the AFL Fantasy Factory Draft & Classic Championships. Quality competitions within a community that values footy, fantasy footy and of course – the banter. We have a tiered league structure in both Draft & Classic divisions. What does that mean? It means that we consistently have the very best Coaches ascending to the top of their respective games, year-on-year. Each year, those reaching the Top 4 in each league will be promoted to the next league UP, whilst our Bottom 4 will be relegated DOWN.

In a bid to keep the league fun and accessible to as many as possible, yearly entry is just $30 per person, per league. Whilst the Classic format runs in a pretty stock-standard fashion, the Draft Leagues are set-up for a fast-paced experience with minimal weekly management needed. We draft March 1^st this year with a team dynamic of 3 defenders, 5 midfielders, 1 ruck, 3 forwards and just 4 bench spots. Trading is live all the way through until finals begin and best of all…we PLAY THROUGH THE BYES!!

The Factory community grows yearly, and we proudly maintain an online environment that is a safe space for all to converse about leagues, team, players, results and general footy without ridicule or insult. As footy lovers, we go to the next level by theming our leagues. Each league is specifically named for a legendary VFL/AFL figure with the aim of giving each league its own identity.

We aim for Coaches to become invested in these leagues with Discord networks formed in a bid to ensure that all involved feel more than ‘just a number.’ Of course, we’re always open to new participants, but it is also great to give a little shout-out to our Legacy Factory Members – 4 seasons in both Draft and Classic Championships. Thanks so much, Legends!

I recently had the chance to chat with one such Legend. Coach of Need for Reid, Taylor (TC), was crowned both Franklin & Lockett League Champion. When asked about the quality of competition in the Factory, TC says: “The Fantasy Factory provides for all levels of Draft experience with multiple competition tiers and a promotion/relegation system. Both newcomers and seasoned Draft players will be able to learn and challenge themselves.

TC also had this to say about the quality people involved: “Every Draft competition is only as good as the personalities in it, and the Fantasy Factory is no exception! FF has a high quality and friendly group of people in the competition’s Discord server. Plenty of motivation, quality banter and most importantly – no ‘elitest’ behaviour!”

TC’s final thoughts on AFL Fantasy Factory: “I’ve been participating for 3 consecutive seasons now (about to go around for a 4^th) and the calibre of competition and the fun & friendly experiences continue to bring me back into the action each year.”

The AFL Fantasy Factory Story

After my first couple of seasons playing Fantasy Draft (I think it was called DreamTeam ELITE back in those days), I became hooked by the banter, wild trade proposals and general ‘Nuffie’ footy chatter. I was certain that this League’s message board (and later Messenger chat) was the most uniquely entertaining thing attached to the internet. Fast-forward to 2018 and our annual draft league had morphed into a 2-tiered keeper league setup with a 2-up/2-down promotion/relegation rule bridging 2 sets of 16 competitive beasts. Added were player auction rooms, trade-only chat groups, weekly vlogs & interviews, plus a Rulebook thicker than Will Ashcroft’s luscious locks.

A few of us thought there must be a way to further elevate our Fantasy Footy hobby. Many ideas floated were great, most of mine were not! Later on, I settled on creating a Fantasy Footy League that was all played out in public. Every trade discussion/negotiation, weekly vlogs and results chatter – all recorded and posted on socials. Kinda like a Fantasy Footy league with a reality TV vibe. Needless to say, that concept did not work out, but we did have a lot of fun.

After consideration, I simply realised that what I enjoyed most was the community formed by a shared love for footy and a chance to interact in a friendly, competitive way. The answer to that? What we now know as the AFL Fantasy Factory. Draft was initially the focus, but by popular demand a Classic division also came to life. We enter our 4^th season in 2026, and we’ve reached a couple-hundred competitors. A great bunch and most importantly, great competition.

What is to come?

Fingers crossed, we aim to break a record for participants again this year. A ‘Super League’ idea has come to the fore. An idea that would see a league of very select coaches Draft for season of particularly brutal conditions – 6-8-2-6 setup, medium-sized benches, but no access to the Free Agency pool. Another idea is for a Last Coach Standing competition. Simply reach a minimum score to survive in successive weeks until just 1 remains.

In a perfect world, I’d have an additional 20-30 hours a week up my sleeve as well as actual website building skills. Despite these facts, I’d love to create a Fantasy Community-driven webspace that may one day be a one-stop-shop for all the average punter’s Fantasy news & views. I envisage having weekly resources such as: “Club Experts” – Factory members that become Fantasy experts on one particular club – that report weekly to give all relevant updates and red-hot predictions & advice. Weekly League of the Week profile & interviews. Another project would be to live stream the Franklin League Draft with all Coaches offering live commentary on the draft as it progresses.

For now, we turn our focus to the 2026 season. If you’d like to get involved, reach out via socials at Facebook or @AFL_FF on X (Twitter). Alternatively, hit this link to go straight to the registration form (only takes about 90 seconds) https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DLBCKLX

Soft close for registration is February 25^th and deadline to have season fees paid up is February 27^th. Then, we draft March 1^st.
No play during Opening Round, but then its 24 weeks of quality Fantasy competition.

Finally, a huge thanks to all that have played so far. Your efforts, commitment, feedback and great fondness for footy is what makes the Factory so great. Lastly, thanks to the DTTalk crew for offering this opportunity and assisting along the way.

Milney