Eight down, 16 to go!

Somehow, we’ve made it one third of the way through the AFL Fantasy season. Our rookies have more than done their share of the heavy lifting through the first portion of the year, with injured premiums causing us to trust our cash cows more than we usually like. However, the time has come to move them on in order to secure on-field upgrades and there are a bunch of underpriced premiums to pick from in multiple lines. A few downgrade options have put their hands up and with the bulk of us dodging injury bullets for a few weeks now, so it’s time to get these rookies off the field!

Rookies/cash cows are typically defined as players priced at $400,000 or lower to commence the season

Cash Cow King – Round 8

I’m assuming that the bulk of the votes will go to the top scorer in Brayden Cook this week after his Friday night heroics. The Crows winger beat out his teammate Lachie McAndrew and second-gamer Sam Cumming at the top of the pecking order, while Jagga Smith earned another nomination for his 77 points on Saturday night. There is still a pretty even spread of votes through the first portion of the season, so the order of the 4-3-2-1 is still going to be crucial.

The leaderboard is starting to take shape, but it will be hard to go past Cookie this round following his Friday night antics!

Who gets your vote as the most important cash cow in Round 8? 🤔 #AFLFantasy

— SportsbyFry (@sportsbyfry) May 5, 2026

Defenders

Let ’em grow

Our defensive cash cows didn’t continue their prolific scoring rate on the weekend, although we can’t be too upset with scores in the 60’s. Popular on-field options Jai Serong ($642K, 65, BE 65) and Josh Lindsay ($580K, 60, BE 39) didn’t blow us away with their score and as a result, they are starting to stall out in price. There’s a world where you can trade any of these rookies away, but I think I’ll give Serong and Lindsay another life, with Tom Blamires ($570K, 62, BE 49) rounding out my DEF bench. After earning a recall in Round 8, it seems like both he and Jack Carroll ($600K, 60, BE 43) are capable of making a few final dollars before we trade them out. With that being said, they’ve done their job as cash cows, so if you need the funds, all of these rooks could be moved.

Let ’em go

Much like last round, our backline rookies continue to dominate the trade-out list with Sam Grlj ($560K, 44, BE 71) at the top of the discard pile. Roughly 9,700 smart coaches gave the talented Tiger the flick before he lost $12K and another 14,000+ are looking to offload this week. Lachie Jaques ($586K, DNP, BE 71) and Jacob Farrow ($628K, 53, BE 71) aren’t avoiding the axe either – with this mainstream trio all owning a breakeven of 71 heading into the weekend. It would be nice to offload Farrow at his price point, but the smart choice is to ditch Grlj and/or Jaques first if you can.

Similar could be said for Michael Sellwood ($483K, 45, BE 41) if you have no other pressing issues, while a downgrade trade to William Edwards ($270K, 36, BE 12) doesn’t look like it will be a great benefit. You could give uncapped Hawk Bodie Ryan ($230K, DNP, BE 26) a run on debut against the Dockers, but I’d feel anxious about locking him in at a basement price. For what it’s worth, Ryan has averaged 82.8 points from 5 VFL games so far in 2026 and I won’t be stunned if he comes out and scores 60+ on Thursday night. Still, my gut says it’s worth waiting to see how he adjusts to the big time.

Midfielders

Let ’em grow

For the second round in a row, a Richmond rookie looks like the best possible downgrade option in the midfield. Patrick Retschko ($401K, 51, BE -2) went well against West Coast for the 32,680 coaches who acquired him before Saturday’s match, but it was his teammate Sam Cumming ($397K, 86, BE -2) who really stood out. The gun Richmond draftee helped himself to 76% of the CBA’s and accumulated 23 disposals in their first win of the season. Tim Taranto may return to the lineup to take on Adelaide, but Cumming should still see enough midfield minutes to matter over the next month or so before the convenient Round 13 bye arrives.

We saw Willem Duursma ($736K, 75, BE 60) and Milan Murdock ($600K, 61, BE 44) continue their strong scoring ways in the same clash. Duursma continues to impress, despite posting his lowest score in a month and Murdock is a rookie we will keep trusting – especially with forward status looming in Round 12. The potential for DPP shouldn’t be the only reason you hold a cash cow, however Murdock has shown that he can put up enough points to stay at M8 for the time being. On our midfield bench, we could consider adding Dyson Sharp ($352K, 71, BE 13) following a healthy dose of MID clock against Brisbane. Sharp frequently found himself in the CBA’s alongside Zach Merrett and Sam Durham and if that role continues, then impressive scores should continue to flow.

Let ’em go

I have been singing Jagga Smith’s ($641K, 77, BE 51) praises since before he got drafted – but it’s time to cut bait. There have been promising scores from the Blues prodigy during his first pro season and he probably has some 90+ outings still up his sleeve. However, there are viable downgrade options in the midfield and if he is on-field, then he’s clogging up valuable space for another scorer. It hurts to see him go, but at this stage I’m joining the crowd of 5,000+ who are sending him packing. There are a few coaches who are also trading out Angus Anderson ($471K, 30, BE 35) following his lacklustre showing against the Hawks last round. He should bounce back and make a few more dollars, but coaches with nothing better to do could cash him in.

Rucks

Let ’em grow

It’s almost time. Lachlan McAndrew ($743K, 81, BE 77) is now averaging an impressive 84.3 points through the first eight rounds of the fantasy season – good for the 6th best average from any ruckman. Despite his early success, there is a clear gap between the top of the line and the rest of the field in the ruck department. Replacing McAndrew with a RUC who is going 110+ is quickly becoming a priority for coaches who still have L-Mac sitting at R2. It’s not an urgent matter, but most McAndrew owners want to upgrade that spot soon and move him to a keeper. Oh, Oscar Steene ($390K, 45, BE 30) also played in Round 8.

Forwards

Let ’em grow

Kicking a game-winning goal in a Friday night Showdown, after growing up an Adelaide Crows fan is a pretty unreal accomplishment for Brayden Cook ($633K, 92, BE 40). Most importantly, the popular F6 pick posted the best rookie score from Round 8! Fresh off this strong outing, almost 20% of the competition will have confidence leaving Cookie on field until his bye arrives in a month’s time. His teammate Toby Murray ($306K, 73, BE -10) also flourished against the Power and there are a bunch of coaches who are looking to invest in the Adelaide tall this week. I understand the appeal in targeting Murray, but I have my concerns over his scoring ability as a key forward.

He’s still a fine option given the scarcity of reliable downgrades in the FWD line, but to be honest, I’d prefer to take a punt on Sullivan Robey ($378K, 67, BE 20) if you have the extra funds. It’s hard to justify spending closer to $400K on a player like Robey, who has averaged under 50 from four AFL appearances thus far. However, the uber-talented Don managed to play a career-high 86% game time against Brisbane last round and he should continue to get senior opportunities in Brad Scott’s side.

Let ’em go

Spare a thought for approximately 7.5% of the competition who had Todd Marshall ($522K, 28, BE 55) residing on their field last week. I genuinely thought the Port Adelaide swingman would be able to keep his cash gen ticking along and put some half-decent scores up in the meantime, but after last round it’s hard to justify keeping him. Similar could be said for Phoenix Gothard ($569K, 44, BE 70) who is now trending in the wrong direction after scoring 80 combined points in the last fortnight. He could get the chop to help facilitate another upgrade, while Leo Lombard ($427K, 63, BE 31) has put his owners in a tricky spot. His improved scores have seen him reignite his cash gen, although the smart move is still to bench him or give him the flick entirely.

Reserves Report

Here is a list of the most noteworthy fantasy scores we saw from potential cash cows in the reserves around the country over the weekend.

Jai Murray, Suns – 141 points, 41 disposals, 9 marks, 1 goal
Shadeau Brain, Lions – 127 points, 20 disposals (20 kicks!!), 7 marks, 9 tackles, 1.1 in front of goal
Taylor Goad, Kangaroos – 119 points, 19 disposals, 30 hitouts, 5 tackles, 1 goal
Jack Watkins, Power – 119 points, 33 disposals, 7 marks, 1 goal
Jack Ough, Giants – 117 points, 31 disposals, 8 tackles
Lance Collard, Saints – 112 points, 25 disposals, 11 marks
Jakob Ryan, Magpies – 102 points, 26 disposals, 10 marks
Alex Dodson, Saints – 98 points, 15 disposals, 29 hitouts, 6 marks
Andy Moniz-Wakefield, Demons – 93 points, 24 disposals, 7 marks
Jack Dalton, Hawks – 89 points, 16 disposals, 8 marks, 1 goal
Luke Beecken, Lions – 88 points, 27 disposals
Lachlan Carmichael, Bulldogs – 71 points, 16 disposals, 4 marks, 4 tackles
Zane Zakostelsky, Lions – 55 points, 9 disposals, 23 hitouts

Q & A

The weekly Q&A section aims to address the biggest rookie/cash cow issues that we are facing. If I don’t get to your answer in the article, I promise I’ll answer it on Twitter – and as always, you can drop your follow-up questions below.

Are there any?🤣 or do we have another look at Dyson Sharp (28 CBAs) if we already have Ret and Cumming

— BL4KE (@bl44ke) May 4, 2026

Like I said, they always emerge. We’ve been gifted with Retschko and Cumming in the last few rounds and I don’t hate the idea of buying into the baby Bombers if you have enough cash. Dyson Sharp’s role was encouraging and if he can maintain his high CBA count with Parish back in the side he might be a home run pick, while Sullivan Robey also has some appeal as a trade target thanks to his handy FWD status. After this round, Essendon plays against Fremantle (MCG), Richmond (MCG), West Coast (Optus) and Carlton (MCG) – which could lead to a few pop scores too.

Which rookies would you not cull?

— #5-MillarTime🤠🦁🏆🏆 (@time_millar) May 5, 2026

Really rate this question! We can get caught trading out valuable pieces while they still have money to make/are still scoring well to try and land a big on-field upgrade. I think down back, the likes of Serong and Lindsay can survive for a few more rounds and the West Coast MID’s in the form of Duursma and Murdock should be held onto as well. McAndrew has nearly done his job and the rest of the ruck line is putrid, while up forward the only cash cow I would still want to own is Brayden Cook.

Tom Burton? Low scores, but how’s his JS?

— FossilOz (@WA_Botanist) May 5, 2026

I’m a fan and hopefully he keeps getting an opportunity. However, he may be the unlucky bloke who makes way for Tim Taranto this round. Fingers crossed he gets a chance to shine against Adelaide.

Dyson Sharp or Toby Murray as priority in?

— Robert Gray (@RobertG73489965) May 4, 2026

There are risks with both, but I side with Sharp as the better trade target this week. Toby Murray was impressive against Port Adelaide and with a negative breakeven, I can see why people are going there. However, I’ll take the midfielder over the key forward every day of the week – even if Murray makes a few quick bucks, Sharp will surely reach greater heights.

Remember the Name

In no particular order, here are some of the other rookie-priced players to consider throughout the season.

DEFENDERS

Dylan Patterson (Suns, $334K)
Oskar Taylor (Giants, $294K)
Lachlan Carmichael (Bulldogs, $270K)
Cooper Simpson (Dockers, $340K)
Matt Whitlock (Kangaroos, $230K)
Harrison Ramm (Power, $268K)

MIDFIELDERS

Harry DeMattia (Magpies, $230K)
Josh Smillie (Tigers, $230K)
Luke Urquart (Kangaroos, $230K)
Adam Sweid (Dockers, $254K)
Harry Kyle (Swans, $298K)
Tyan Prindable (Magpies, $230K)
Luke Beecken (Lions, $230K)
Sam Cumming (Tigers, $326K)
Ollie Greeves (Hawks, $230K)
Ben Camporeale (Blues, $230K)
Sam Swadling (Magpies, $230K)

RUCKMEN

Aidan Schubert (Hawks, $262K)
Kayle Gerreyn (Bombers, $230K)
Max Heath (Demons, $376K)

FORWARDS

Sid Draper (Crows, $307K)
Jesse Dattoli (Swans, $273K)
Finlay Macrae (Eagles, $293K)
Mitchell Marsh (Crows, $266K)
Charlie Banfield (Saints, $230K)
Harvey Harrison (Magpies, $300K)
Jay Polkinghorne (Cats, $230K)

Fry

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