Fry’s Cash Cows – 2026 Rookie Watchlist

Last weekend was a nice appetiser, but I’m ready for the main course! Footy returns today (well, sort of) with the first of nine AAMI Community Series matches when Carlton and Geelong square off. Of course, that means that the start of another AFL Fantasy season is almost upon us. The preseason won’t tell us everything we need to know, but it can help us make the final tweaks and changes to the rookie-priced players who make up our final on-field spots or take up residence on our bench. Value picks are all the rage when picking your initial fantasy squad of 30 and there are over 60 cash cows discussed in this article that coaches can monitor throughout the rest of the 2026 preseason and beyond as potential money-making rookies.

Rookie/cash cows are typically defined as players who started the season priced at $400,000 or lower

Recent debutants: 1 in 2025, 5 in 2024

I’m glad that we’re starting with the Crows, because Lachlan McAndrew (RUC, $286K) is quickly becoming the most talked about cash cow in the game. McAndrew has leapfrogged ROB on Adelaide’s depth chart this summer and it’s not often we are gifted with a green dot at R3 to start the season. There is even merit in picking the former Swan as an on-field option with his 96.8 AVG in the SANFL a season ago suggesting there could be some serious upside on offer.

Coaches will be watching him intently against the Dockers on Saturday arvo – while also scouring the teamsheet for Sid Draper’s (MID/FWD, $307K) name. The excitement machine failed to suit up in the practice match against Port Adelaide, but the fantasy community is hoping he can FINALLY shake the injury bug. Matthew Nicks has already told us they will take a cautious approach with the 19-year-old. However, any minutes he does play would be a step in the right direction.

Recent debutants: 5 in 2025, 4 in 2024

All eyes will be on one player for Brisbane in the AAMI Community Series. Over 16% of the competition are eager to see what Dan Annable ($330K, MID) is capable of, after the highly touted draftee seemed a step off the pace during the practice game against Carlton last week. I’m not going to let one unofficial hitout define the No. 6 pick and Annable’s numbers from 2025 speak for themselves. Not only did he produce stellar stats in the Coates Talent League (114 AVG with 29 disposals per game), but Annable scored at a 75.8 point clip in his eight VFL games – including a 92-point effort in an elimination-final victory over Richmond that included 24 disposals, six tackles and 0.3 in front of goal. Outside of Annable, Ty Gallop ($263K, FWD) is the only other rookie from the Lions worth keeping tabs on vs. Gold Coast. The arrival of Oscar Allen surely pushes Gallop back down the pecking order, but the hulking youngster did produce 73 points in a prelim against Collingwood a few months ago.

Recent debutants: 7 in 2025, 3 in 2024

Lock Jagga Smith ($230K, MID) into your team and throw away the key! It feels unfair to get access to a player with such a promising fantasy future at a basement price, although we aren’t complaining. Having missed his entire rookie season, Jagga seems to have had a flawless summer and coaches are salivating at his potential output in 2026. He has recently overtaken Harry Sheezel as the most owned player in the game, however there are still 34.5% of coaches setting themselves up for failure by ignoring the Blues’ ball magnet.

A year after drafting Smith 3rd overall, Carlton drafted father-son talent Harry Dean ($343K, DEF) with the same selection. Hailed as the best pure key defender in his class, there is no reason for fantasy coaches to target him. In the forward line, we could find a spot for largely unknown prospect, Talor Byrne ($230K, MID/FWD). He turned heads with three goals against the Lions last Wednesday, but I don’t expect Byrne to offer us enough scoring upside to justify a spot at F7 or F8. His new teammate Liam Reidy ($396K, RUC/FWD) may be sitting in one of those places if you’ve opted to pay up. Reidy crossed over from Freo this offseason in the hopes of capturing the R1 mantle from Marc Pittonet. Given that they seem poised to (at best) share the ruck responsibilities, it’s wise to avoid the RUC/FWD to start the season.

Recent debutants: 3 in 2025, 6 in 2024

The cliff seems to be coming for Collingwood, which means we could see some cash cows emerge over the course of the season. The name on everyone’s lips at the moment is Angus Anderson ($23oK, MID) after his encouraging outing against GWS a few days ago. Obviously, with the Daicos brothers missing, it’s tough to determine if he’s a player worth seriously monitoring and his place in the pecking order will become much clearer after the Magpies clash with North Melbourne on Sunday. Anderson does have a strong fantasy profile with an average of 92.5 points from his 2025 SANFL season, culminating in a BOG performance for Sturt in their Grand Final triumph.

Harry DeMattia ($230K, MID) is another midfield prospect who could earn an AFL debut as he gears up for his third season on the Pies’ list. He has been close to breaking through previously and doing the right things in the AAMI hitout may move him into the selection mix to open the fantasy campaign. There are other names like Oscar Steene ($230K, RUC/FWD), Reef McInnes ($285K, DEF) and Harvey Harrison ($300K, FWD) who fit the rookie price tag, but I don’t expect them to become relevant cash cows. It is worth at least adding Sam Swadling’s ($230K, MID) name to your watchlist after the West Perth ball magnet averaged 117 fantasy points and 35+ disposals in the WAFL Colts last season.

Recent debutants: 15 in 2025, 2 in 2024

After supplying us with more debutants than any previous team in V/AFL history last season, Essendon are once again going to be extremely relevant on the rookie front. Gun draftees such as Dyson Sharp ($302K, MID) and Jacob Farrow ($314K, DEF/MID) are owned by the majority of serious coaches and the duo should get plenty of AFL opportunities to start their careers. Sharp is the proud owner of the best fantasy numbers from the 2025 U-18 Championships (averages of 106.8 points with 27 touches, 5 tackles and 4.5 marks) which bodes well for his cash generation potential. He’ll likely spend plenty of time at half forward, but I’m not letting that deter me from picking him.

Farrow is set to go to work at the opposite end of the ground, with the Essendon teen hailed as a Jordan Dawson/Hayden Young clone. His precise ball use was on display against Richmond over the weekend and given the juicy track record Dons defenders have when it comes to fantasy scoring, Farrow is an easy lock in defence at this point of the year. Last year’s midseason recruit Lachlan Blakiston ($399K, DEF) is also generating buzz as a starting pick. With Nick Byran still rehabbing from a torn ACL, Blakiston is shaping up to be Essendon’s R1 for at least the first month of the season. Hopefully, a ruck role will translate to strong scores/massive cash gen, with Blakiston previously playing as a ruck in the WAFL and averaging 79.3 points with 21.3 hitouts from a handful of games.

Hussien El Achkar ($230K, FWD) is another rookie from the class of 2025 who could aid fantasy squads, although he shapes up as more of a slow burn at F7/F8. If we are left chasing green dots in the forward half, then ‘Huss’ could become a viable play. A back injury has slowed the preseason load for Sullivan Robey ($318K, MID/FWD), but he is another up-and-coming youngster that the Bombers will funnel games into during the fantasy season. A bolter in last year’s draft, Robey has all the tools to be a dominant half-forward or inside MID in the modern game, so be sure to consider him when he inevitably earns a senior call-up.

Recent debutants: 2 in 2025, 5 in 2024

A year after Fremantle gifted us with the Rising Star winner, their current cash cows face an uphill climb to make some noise. There is every chance that Tobyn Murray ($230K, FWD) will be in their Round 1 team after a breakout season in the VFL where he kicked 22 goals from 17 games. However, we won’t be moving heaven and Earth to find room for the smooth-moving small forward. Murray could provide us with a heartbeat if we desperately need a green dot, while the likes of Cooper Simpson ($340K, DEF) and Adam Sweid ($254K, MID) have also been picked by some coaches. Sweid and Simpson are all but guaranteed to commence this season in the WAFL, although if they are selected to play Adelaide that will indicate they aren’t far off the pace.

Recent debutants: 2 in 2025, 3 in 2024

Putting it bluntly, there isn’t a lot to look for in terms of Geelong cash cows throughout the rest of the preseason. Their developing ruck Mitch Edwards ($230K, RUC) was given a chance in the match simulation against the Hawks, although it’s clear that he isn’t going to be in the frame for selection early. Last year’s debutants are essentially non-factors and the Cats will be out to rectify their Grand Final horror show rather than focusing on developing their youngsters. Once again, we’re left hoping they unearth a Shaun Mannagh or Lawson Humphries type late in the season.

Recent debutants: 4 in 2025, 5 in 2024

Excluding Jagga Smith, the first rookie you probably picked this fantasy season was Suns academy talent Zeke Uwland ($346K, DEF/MID). Touted as Errol Gulden lite, I’m super excited to watch Zeke get to work this year – although it’s worth acknowledging there hasn’t been a ton of buzz surrounding the new Gold Coast phenom. A stress fracture in his back hampered the majority of his 2025 season, so it’s possible we see the club ease Uwland into action as he begins his pro footy journey. Regardless of when he does line up in the senior side though, he’s a player you MUST own if you want to succeed.

Leo Lombard ($230K, FWD) has also become a popular cash cow choice from the Suns, with FWD status a huge bonus for his fantasy appeal. He put together an impressive season at VFL level last year – averaging 90 points with over 25 disposals and six tackles each time out. In an area where we are crying out for reliable rooks, Lombard could be the answer we are seeking at F6 or as a bench play. Speaking of cheaper forwards, I know it’s technically cheating by including Jamarra Ugle-Hagan ($458K, FWD), but I want to at least have it in writing that I think he’s a fine source of cash gen. Priced at 44 and having averaged 60+ AVG in his last two full seasons, I understand the allure.

Recent debutants: 4 in 2025, 4 in 2025

We might look back by the end of the season and see Greater Western Sydney blood a TON of untried players thanks to their mounting injury list. It may also finally pave the way for James Leake ($262K, DEF/FWD) to carve out a defined role in the team after a few seasons of being the whipping boy. His eye-catching averages in the reserves (95.2 points and 24.8 disposals) haven’t been enough for Adam Kingsly to regularly trust him, but 2026 may finally present the opportunity he needs to shine. Oliver Hannaford ($230K, MID/FWD), Josaia Delana ($232K, FWD) and Jack Ough ($230K, MID) could also be worth adding to your watchlist after they suited up in the match sim against Collingwood. Neither of that trio lit it up from a statistical standpoint, however, if one of them appears to have a fruitful role against Sydney that may change our thinking.

Recent debutants: 0 in 2025, 3 in 2024

How’s this for a random stat – in 2025, Hawthorn became the first team in VFL/AFL history not to have a single debutant in an entire season! I expect that to change quickly in 2026, with Aidan Schubert ($262K, RUC/FWD) the odds on favourite to be the first Hawk to earn a taste of AFL footy. Making a name for himself as a powerful key forward in the SANFL last season, Schubert also showed an ability to pinch-hit in the ruck at the Colts and Reserves level. That likely enhances his claim to be included in Sam Mitchell’s team to play a supporting role to either Lloyd Meek or Ned Reeves.

Schubert isn’t the only prospect that Hawthorn may unearth, with midfield talents Ollie Greeves ($230K, MID) and Jack Dalton ($230K, MID) bringing a strong fantasy pedigree with them to the club. The duo both averaged north of 25 disposals in the Coates Talent League and scored 85+ points while running around for Vic Metro in the U-18 Championships. Greeves appears to be slightly ahead of Dalton on the depth chart at this stage, and yet, it’s clear that both of them can accumulate disposals (and fantasy stats) at will if they are given the chance.

Recent debutants: 6 in 2025, 5 in 2024

Let’s clarify one thing quickly. Despite sitting in more than 15% of teams, Kalani White ($230K, RUC/FWD) isn’t a player you should have on your radar as a cash cow this season – even for loophole purposes. Xavier Taylor ($310K, DEF) on the other hand, might be worth a shout. The tall, intercepting key back may find himself filling the void left by Steven May early on in 2026. Key defenders don’t come with the greatest track record of putting up numbers, however Taylor’s spectacular performance in the Talent League Grand Final (131 points fuelled by 25 disposals and 15 marks) suggests he isn’t your average backman.

It is worth pointing out that he looked allergic to touching the footy against the Kangaroos when they met last Saturday and his showing in the AAMI hitout will go a long way to determining whether we can trust Taylor or not. On the flip side, Melbourne livewire Latrelle Pickett ($306K, FWD) turned a lot of heads in the match simulation and as a result, a fair chunk of coaches are plugging him into their lineup. Poised to be a stereotypical ‘slow burn’ small forward, I am hesitant to invest in Pickett even if he lights it up again.

“Latrelle, Latrelle, Latrelle!”

The excitement machine continues for the Dees 💥

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Recent debutants: 7 in 2025, 6 in 2024

North Melbourne has been a fantasy footy factory for rookies in recent times. Players like Harry Sheezel, Colby McKercher and George Wardlaw have been paramount to our success and amongst this group of studs, Zane Duursma ($325K, DEF/FWD) is the one who has failed to fire. Following trade rumours in the offseason, I’m not really sure what to expect from Duursma in ’26 and while it’s not exactly his last chance, he needs to show signs of life. The most recent first-rounder to join the Roos was lively small forward Lachy Dovaston ($290K, FWD) – yet another bench option for our FWD line that has scoring concerns. Dovaston kicked 38 goals from his 16 games and he’ll provide North with a spark that their offensive game has been missing. His place in their best 23 seems secure, but once again, we’ll learn a lot during the official preseason match.

Recent debutants: 8 in 2025, 2 in 2024

You don’t often pick a player who averaged less than 40 to headline a team’s rookie profile, but that’s where we find ourselves with the Power. A superb preseason has Joe Berry ($415K, FWD) in the spotlight as a breakout candidate in his first season under a new head coach. Yes, I know I’m cheating again with the price tag, but he’s pretty close. Berry’s role will be important to watch in the AAMI match against West Coast, with the possibility that he plays a bit higher up the ground and gets his hands on the footy more frequently than he did in 2025. He’s hardly a home run investment and I’m not expecting groundbreaking fantasy upside. However, when the best cash cow alternatives for Port Adelaide are Todd Marshall ($397K, FWD) and Jack Watkins ($230K, MID), you can understand why I’m showing Berry some love.

Recent debutants: 9 in 2025, 6 in 2024

Here we go! Another AFL club that should prioritise youth in the new season offers us more than their fair share of intriguing rookies. Drafted one selection apart last November, I’ve struggled to split Sam Cumming ($326K, MID) and Sam Grlj ($322K, DEF/MID) this preseason when it comes to my rookie rankings (Grlj by a nose at the time of typing). Both are shaping up as key pillars of the Tigers’ rebuild and they are set to be deployed at opposite ends of the ground in the opening game of the fantasy season. A combative midfield-forward type Cumming honed his craft in the SANFL for North Adelaide last season, splitting time between the U18’s and the League team before a shoulder injury ended his year prematurely. Grlj, on the other hand, showcased his blistering pace and aggressiveness for the Oakleigh Chargers and even featured in a pair of VFL games for Richmond with scores of 90 and 55.

While both Richmond teenagers bring a different skillset to the team in their first season, it’s evident that Adem Yze will want to fast-track their development with as many senior games as possible. Grlj resides in nearly three times as many teams as Cumming right now, but don’t let that deter you from picking both Sam’s in your starting squad. The ascension of this duo has seen the interest in Patrick Retschko ($230K, MID) cool as he finds himself potentially on the outs. He wasn’t a part of the Tigers’ starting team against Essendon last week and as a result, he will need to do a mountain of work in a short amount of time to be in the frame for Round 1. But wait, there’s more! Oft-injured defender Josh Gibcus ($230K, DEF) will be looking to make his mark in his fifth season on a list, while 2024 draftee Josh Smillie ($230K, MID) is also worth monitoring. Given all the defensive rookies we have to choose from, I have Gibcus a bit further down the order while Smillie will hopefully become a handy downgrade target during the year.

Recent debutants: 9 in 2025, 6 in 2024

You would have been surprised to see Jack Carroll ($332K, MID) leading off the St Kilda cash cow watchlist a month or two ago. Drafted by the Blues back in 2020, Carroll has spent his AFL career thus far plying his trade in the midfield – including a season of executing that role for Sandringham in the VFL last year. However, a preseason switch to halfback has seen him vault into fantasy relevance. Carroll’s efforts against Gold Coast last week were a promising sign for those who are keen on selecting the discarded Saint and with plenty of +6’s on offer, he’s becoming a Round 1 bolter for fantasy coaches. Those inside the four walls at St Kilda also sound rapt with how Charlie Banfield ($230K, MID/FWD) has started life as a professional footballer. My take is that he will take a few weeks (or months) to crack the senior rotation, but we may see him make some convenient coin early in 2026.

Recent debutants: 3 in 2025, 2 in 2024

As they look to bounce back up the ladder, I don’t expect to see a lot of cash cows come out of Sydney in the upcoming fantasy campaign. There are a few rookies who enter the fray with an encouraging profile and I’m hoping they prove me wrong – the more cash cows the better! It wasn’t a great sign to see no relevant rooks in their outfit for the match sim against the Bulldogs, no offence to Jai Serong ($274K, DEF). The former Hawk may become a member of their best 23, but even if that does eventuate I can’t see him putting up game-changing point totals. Former Norwood stud Billy Cootee ($230K, MID) could come from the clouds and we need to track the likes of Jesse Dattoli ($273K, FWD) and Harry Kyle ($298K, DEF/MID). Entering the final fortnight of the preseason though, the Swans can largely be ignored in terms of cash cows.

Recent debutants: 10 in 2025, 6 in 2024

There is a chance that West Coast’s cash cow class of 2026 will go down as the best a single team has provided us in AFL Fantasy/Dreamteam history. I’m not joking. I will try to keep this section succinct, but there are eight rookies in the mix for a Round 1 berth that all need their own moment in the spotlight. Let’s start with the obvious one – reigning No. 1 pick, Willem Duursma ($350K, MID). While I haven’t been his biggest fan this preseason, you don’t get picked first in an AFL draft by accident and he certainly wouldn’t have lost any fans with his efforts against Fremantle last weekend. Even with my concerns, I’ve still made sure to lock Duursma into my initial squad of 30 and there are almost 50% of coaches who also believe he’s a strong investment.

Willem Duursma nails the first goal in promising signs for West Coast! 🔥

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The only Eagle with a higher ownership is Deven Robertson ($232K, FWD) and his convenient forward status is providing us with a much-needed answer at F5-F6. Whether it’s on-field or on the bench, I don’t think you can go wrong picking Robertson to start the year. 2026 draftees Cooper Duff-Tytler ($338K, RUC/FWD) and Josh Lindsay ($278K, DEF) are also well and truly in the mix for coaches building out their bench. CDT provides us with a rare R3 green dot (and potential McAndrew insurance), while Lindsay has been hailed as the best user by foot in the entire draft class. I wouldn’t be stunned if the rebounding DEF was pushed out of the mix and started the season in the WAFL, but Lindsay’s role/TOG against Port Adelaide in the AAMI hitout will give us a lot of insight into where he sits in the defensive hierarchy at West Coast.

That covers a lot of the ‘mainstream’ rookies from the Eagles, however I wouldn’t draw a line through 2025 mid-season recruit Jacob Newton ($230K, FWD). I’ve been a fan of what he has done since crossing over from the SANFL last season and he provides us with yet another option for our forward benches. Let’s see if Newton can showcase his wares and put his hand up for a Round 1 gig with a strong showing this weekend. SSP additions Harry Schoenberg ($320K, MID) and Finlay Macrae ($293K, MID/FWD) could also throw their hats in the ring for a gig in our starting squads, although I view them as depth pieces that will start the year in the reserves. The same could be said for Bo Allan ($246K, DEF) who faces a tough battle to surpass some of the other defenders at his club to be included on the first team sheet of the year.

Recent debutants: 5 in 2025, 4 in 2024

I was excited to pump up the tyres of Lachlan Charmichael ($270K, DEF/MID) in this segment, however a syndesmosis injury has derailed that thought. Instead, with Charmichael on ice we’ve seen the stocks quickly rise for his teammate in defence, Lachie Jaques ($230K, DEF). A season after averaging 70+ in the VFL there could be a spot in the starting 23 for Jaques at the Kennel if he can produce another respectable outing on Friday arvo vs. the Hawks. If it wasn’t for an early bye we would probably be all over the Bulldogs defender as a D7/D8 play, but with plenty of DEF rooks to choose from, I can understand why his ownership is hovering around 15%. There are no other Bulldogs that appear to be on the selection bubble at this point. Keep a watchful eye on Cooper Hynes ($267K, FWD) in the coming weeks/months as the former first-rounder pick looks to take his game up another level.

FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER: @SportsbyFry for all things AFL Fantasy! Feel free to hit me up with any questions you have throughout the season. Good luck! ✌️

Fry

Australian coffee/burrito enthusiast and the frustrated owner of 16 fantasy teams. Writer for SportsbyFry and DT Talk 🤙