It’s no secret that we’re all looking for value to start the AFL Fantasy season in 2025. Doing so is a proven method of success and there are no players in the game who offer greater upside than the rookie-priced options. An enticing draft class will provide us with a stellar collection of cash cows in multiple lines, and selecting the right ones can set you up for the ultimate success. Of course, the next two months will go a long way to determining just which rooks we need to have, however the majority of the cash cows listed in this article are worth remembering if you want to stay a step ahead of the competition.
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Bo Allan, Eagles
Price: $295K
Position: DEF/MID
2024 Average: 84 from 3 U-18 champ games; 83.5 from 2 WAFL Colts games; 48.7 from 11 WAFL League games
Hailed throughout 2024 as West Australia’s best draft talent, Bo Allan gets to stay home after being drafted by the Eagles. His ability to play a variety of roles will be an instant boost to West Coast’s rebuilding list and Allan should have an opportunity to succeed right away from a fantasy standpoint. Predicted to start his career down back, the intercepting traits that Allan displayed for both Peel Thunder and WA indicate he’ll be a trustworthy scorer at D6 to open the fantasy season.
Sid Draper, Crows
Price: $331K
Position: MID
2024 Average: 121 from 1 U-18 SANFL game; 86 from 6 SANFL League games; 59 from 4 U-18 champ games
Perhaps my favourite rookie from the 2024 class, Sid Draper is a must-have for fantasy coaches. He’s already turned heads at West Lakes and if Draper continues to trend this way, there’s no reason why he should be left out of Adelaide’s Round 1 side. Starring for South Adelaide in the SANFL, Draper scored 118 points in his league debut and averaged 22.2 touches a game while showcasing his line-breaking speed and incredible elusiveness around stoppages. Draper should have every opportunity to display his talents at the AFL level in his first season. Sign me up!
Levi Ashcroft, Lions
Price: $328K
Position: MID
2024 Average: 145 from 1 VFL game; 107.8 from 9 Coates Talent League games; 88.2 from 4 U-18 champ games
There are slight concerns over the amount of midfield minutes Levi Ashcroft will get in his first AFL season, but that doesn’t mean we should ignore the Brisbane father-son recruit. He proved to be a genuine ball magnet regardless of what level he played at last season – highlighted by an absurd 35-disposal, 8-mark, 5-tackle effort in his lone appearance for the Lions’ VFL side. Even if the MID clock isn’t there for Ashcroft in year one, he should still do damage wherever Brisbane deploys him.
Image from zerohanger.com
Saad El-Hawli, Bombers
Price: $230K
Position: DEF/MID
2024 Average: 100.6 from 8 VFL games (Northern Bullants); 97.8 from 4 VFL games (Essendon)
I’m not yet convinced that Saad El-Hawli will earn a place in Essendon’s first team of 2025, although that doesn’t mean he won’t be a promising rookie. The mature-ager found his way onto the Bombers’ list via the mid-season draft and he displayed promising fantasy form for both Essendon and the Northern Bullants in the VFL last season. A syndesmosis injury interrupted the end of his 2024 campaign, and El-Hawli has reportedly stood out in the lead-up to Christmas with his impressive ball use. At $230K, he’s too good to pass up on whenever he breaks into the Bombers’ senior side.
Josh Smillie, Tigers
Price: $322K
Position: MID
2024 Average: 96.5 from 12 Coates Talent League games; 72 from 3 U-18 champ games
Touted as a contender to be the No. 1 pick at times last season, Josh Smillie should be given plenty of AFL opportunities by Richmond in his rookie campaign. Standing at 195cm, Smillie spent the bulk of his final junior season playing on the ball, however, there were times when he was utilised as a lead-up forward or at half-back for both Vic Metro and Eastern Ranges. His fantasy numbers may dip if the Tigers don’t play him primarily as a midfielder, but Smillie is still a draftee worth investing in.
Sam Lalor, Tigers
Price: $340K
Position: MID
2024 Average: 90.8 from 4 Coates Talent League games; 68.7 from 3 U-18 champ games;
The first overall pick in the draft usually turns out to be a promising prospect for the fantasy community and this year is no different. While Sam Lalor dealt with his fair share of injury interruptions in 2024, his powerful/explosive style of play already has fans comparing his playing style to another famous Tiger, Dustin Martin. For what it’s worth, Dusty averaged 71.5 points in his debut season from 21 games and Lalor should have the chance to produce a similar output if Richmond unleashes him early.
Leo Lombard, Suns
Price: $316K
Position: MID
2024 Average: 93.2 from 4 U-18 champ games; 78.7 from 3 Coates Talent League games; 60.1 from 8 VFL games
There aren’t many draftees who enter the AFL system with more exposure to senior footy than Leo Lombard. A premiership player for Gold Coast’s VFL side in 2023 as a 16-year-old, the versatile talent continued to enhance his draft stock last season at multiple levels. He shone as a pure midfielder for the Allies in the U-18 champs by averaging 26.2 disposals and 93.2 fantasy points, while also excelling in the Coates Talent League and VFL playing more as a forward. Regardless of role, Lombard should play a great deal of senior footy for the Suns this season and aid fantasy coaches in the process.
Elijah Hewett, Eagles
Price: $332K
Position: MID/FWD
2023 Average: 46.4 from 14 AFL games
Look, I’m not the biggest fan of Elijah Hewett’s fantasy game, but he is too cheap to gloss over entirely. A clean bill of health has restricted the 2022 draftee to just 14 AFL games (two as a starting sub) and a pair of WAFL games thus far – none of which came last year. Should he manage to overcome his ongoing foot injuries, the Eagles will happily welcome Hewett and his electric playmaking talents back to their senior side. Available as a MID/FWD, there are currently 17,000+ coaches picking the West Coast young gun and that number should only continue to climb if he stays on the park throughout the preseason.
Toby Travaglia, Saints
Price: $319K
Position: DEF/MID
2024 Average: 100.5 from 12 Coates Talent League games; 81.2 from 3 U-18 champ games; 63 from 2 VFL games
Yet another top-10 draft pick, Toby Travaglia shapes as a great investment to start the 2025 fantasy season. St Kilda selected the Bendigo Pioneers teenager with the hopes he can one day develop into a full-time midfielder, although he is slated to spend his fair share of time at half-back during his rookie season. Should he continue to trend in the right direction, I’d feel confident starting the season with Travaglia in my squad and his DEF/MID flexibility only adds to his allure.
Daniel Curtin, Crows
Price: $300K
Position: FWD
2024 Average: 78.3 from 12 SANFL League games; 32.1 from 7 AFL games
Unable to find his footing in Adelaide’s side last year as a rookie, there were enough encouraging signs to suggest Daniel Curtin can be a fantasy factor in 2025. More than half of his AFL appearances were impacted by the sub vest and Curtin managed to record scores of 87, 111 and 91 in his final three SANFL games before earning an official debut. I fear that sub vest will once again cap Curtin’s scoring potential in the new season, but he should push for regular games as a big-bodied midfielder or damaging half-back with another preseason under his belt.
Image from adelaidenow.com.au
Jagga Smith, Blues
Price: $334K
Position: MID
2024 Average: 113.14 from 12 Coates Talent League games; 94.2 from 4 U-18 champ games; 81.7 from 3 VFL games
Jagga Smith proved to be the most prolific ball winner of the 2024 draft class and he enters the AFL fraternity with spectacular fantasy pedigree. Averaging 29.3 disposals for Vic Metro, 33.8 disposals for Oakleigh and 27.3 disposals in a trio of games for Richmond’s VFL team, it’s clear that Smith can find the footy. Even with established stars such as Patrick Cripps and Sam Walsh in Carlton’s lineup, it’s hard to fathom a world where Jagga doesn’t push for an early debut and in turn, become an extremely popular cash cow option.
Isaac Kako, Bombers
Price: $304K
Position: MID/FWD
2024 Average: 85 from 12 Coates Talent League games; 64.8 from 4 U-18 champ games;
Dynamic small forwards aren’t conducive to great fantasy point totals, and yet, Essendon’s newest recruit looms as a solid candidate for our initial fantasy squads. Isaac Kako cemented himself as the best undersized FWD in the 2024 draft after kicking 20 goals for the Calder Cannons in 12 appearances. His standout fantasy effort came against Gold Coast’s academy, with Kako gathering 29 touches for an eye-popping score of 133. Performances like that will keep him in our thinking for a spot at F6-F8.
Riley Bice, Swans
Price: $230K
Position: DEF
2024 Average: 90.2 from 21 VFL games
It may take some time before we see Riley Bice on an AFL field, but it’s important to keep him on your watchlist. Drafted out of Werribee with the 41st pick by the Swans, Bice played a pivotal role in their premiership success as a wing/half-back hybrid and his lethal left foot helped him put up fantasy points in a hurry – chalking up five scores of 120+ in 21 appearances. Traditionally, it’s taken a while for Sydney’s draftees to break into the senior team, however with Dean Cox at the helm, the 24-year-old Bice may become fantasy-relevant sooner than I expect.
Harvey Langford, Demons
Price: $325K
Position: MID
2024 Average: 107.3 from 15 Coates Talent League games; 99.2 from 4 U-18 champ games; 49 from 1 VFL game
I’m not the only one who thinks Harvey Langford joining Melbourne is a near-perfect fit. A damaging player forward of centre, the popular belief is that Langford will provide the Demons with a skilled ball-user going inside 50 as the Sandringham product splits his time between the midfield and forward line in year one. There’s a world where Langford establishes himself as the best cash cow in 2025 although even with tempered expectations, he’s a worthwhile investment for coaches.
Image from zerohanger.com
Finn O’Sullivan, Kangaroos
Price: $337K
Position: MID
2024 Average: 75.2 from 4 Coates Talent League games; 46 from 1 VFL game; 41 from 2 U-18 champ games
The fantasy numbers don’t jump off the page from Finn O’Sullivan and personally, he’s a midfielder I’m passing on at this stage. Still, you don’t become the 2nd pick in a draft for being a scrub and O’Sullivan had injury setbacks to blame for his inability to score with consistency in 2024. Praised as a dominant MID over the past two seasons, North Melbourne was drawn to O’Sullivan thanks to his elite ball use and well-rounded game. In recent seasons, we’ve seen draftees such as Harry Sheezel and Colby McKercher start their tenure with the Roos in defence and the opportunity to rack up a bunch of +6’s may help to unlock O’Sullivan’s fantasy potential.
Xavier Lindsay, Demons
Price: $310K
Position: MID
2024 Average: 99 from 3 U-18 champ games; 88.6 from 12 Coates Talent League games
No player recorded more points in a single U-18 championship game than Xavier Lindsay did last year. He saved his best for last with the classy, composed MID collecting 30 disposals in the Grand Final with 11 marks and eight tackles for a mouth-watering 148 points. He displayed plenty of fantasy nous in the Coates Talent League as well and the position Melbourne opts to deploy Lindsay in will go a long way to determining his scoring potential this season.
Remember the Name
There are bound to be other cash cows that demand our attention throughout the fantasy season. While I didn’t include a deep dive on every rookie-priced player in the game, these 28 cheaper options should remain on the watchlist for coaches. Some offer more upside than others, but in brief, here’s what we could expect from them in 2025.
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Sam Marshall, $268K, MID, Lions – Brisbane’s academy talent displayed his traits as both an inside and outside MID in his final junior season. An average of 99 in the U-18 champs and 89.3 in the Coates Talent League indicates he can score, although breaking into the reigning premiers’ side will be a tall task.
Joe Berry, $298K, FWD, Power – Expect Joe Berry to see his fair share of senior action in his debut season, with the crafty FWD adding another dimension to Port Adelaide’s forward half. If we’re strapped for bench options at F7-F8, Berry could be one to consider.
Zak Johnson, $230K, MID, Bombers – This one is a bit of reach, but Zak Johnson’s fantasy numbers speak for themselves. Awesome ball use by foot saw Johnson excel as both a midfielder and a halfback for the Nothern Knights and Vic Metro – recording an average of 97.2 points from his Coates Talent League games.
Jaxon Prior, $362K, DEF, Bombers – A fresh start at Essendon could help unlock Jaxon Prior following four seasons with the Lions. Prior owns an uninspiring fantasy average of 45.9 points from his 39 career games (5 sub appearances), but he’s cheap enough to be in the mix for a bench spot if Brad Scott plays him regularly.
Lachie Jaques, $256K, DEF, Bulldogs – More of a long-term option, I don’t expect to see Lachie Jaques feature heavily in the Bulldogs’ AFL side. That being said, he has shown an ability to +6 his way to reasonable scores for the Geelong Falcons, making him one to monitor at least.
Hamish Davis, $230K, MID/FWD, Eagles – Hamish Davis doesn’t arrive at the Eagles with the greatest fantasy pedigree, but his versatility could lead to a lot of senior games in year one. The co-captain for Claremont’s premiership-winning Colts team also managed to play seven WAFL Leagues games last season – turning heads with his four-goal effort in an elimination final.
Hugh Boxshall, $230K, MID, Saints – One of Davis’ premiership teammates found his way to St Kilda, with Hugh Boxshall a player I’m bullish on as a cash cow. A handball-happy MID, Boxshall gathered 30 touches in the WAFL Colts Grand Final and averaged 72.7 points from four games with WA at the U-18 champs. The West Aussie played as an intercepting half-back for his entire junior career prior to 2024 and Boxshall is a player I’ll certainly add to my watchlist.
Tom Doedee, $399K, DEF, Lions – A shade under $400K is a lot to pay up for a key defender who will likely sit at D8. However, multiple ACL injuries have slashed Tom Doedee’s price and his career average of 62.9 points indicates there is room for growth.
Tom Gross, $230K, MID, Eagles – Despite his draft position, Tom Gross is another basement-priced MID who I expect to get a run in the upcoming season. A welcome addition to West Coast’s list with the ability to play both midfield and forward roles, Gross may get a chance to translate his fantasy talents to the AFL level in the not-so-distant future.
Josh Gibcus, $230K, DEF, Tigers – Injuries have cruelly restricted Josh Gibcus to just 20 games in his first three seasons on an AFL list. As a key defender, even if he can stay on the park it’s unlikely that he’ll be a game-changing cash cow. Still, Gibcus has upside if he can get his body right.
Luke Trainor, $280K, DEF, Tigers – If Josh Gibcus doesn’t stay healthy though, it paves the way for Richmond’s newest intercepting back to get a gig. Luke Trainor averaged a shade under 80 points in his draft year and an average of almost 20 disposals throughout suggests he can put up enough points to justify his $280K price tag.
Harry Armstrong, $274K, FWD, Tigers – Yet another Richmond cub will come into consideration for fantasy coaches, although it’s clear that Harry Armstrong isn’t a stellar scorer. He should kick enough goals to push his price tag over, the $400K mark, but I won’t be expecting the key forward to generate a ton of points.
Deven Robertson, $301K, MID/FWD, Lions – Following a Grand Final appearance in 2023, Deven Robertson found himself on the outside looking in last season – playing just a pair of AFL games in Round 1 and 3. He did manage to average 97.8 points from 16 VFL games and his discounted price may tempt us if Robertson earns a reprieve.
Image from sen.com.au
Christian Moraes, $230K, MID, Power – The position that Port Adelaide chooses to play Christian Moraes in will go a long way to determining his fantasy value this season. His top-level speed would be an asset on the wing, even if that position usually spells doom for fantasy scores. Should Moraes find a home in the back-6, then he may offer significant upside.
Murphy Reid, $292K, MID, Dockers – As a Freo fan, I’m hopeful that Murphy Reid can develop into a classy long-term midfielder for the Dockers. As a fantasy coach, I’m not sure how he gets enough MID minutes (or games for that matter) to score enough points this year.
Josh Fahey, $242K, DEF, Giants – A four-game suspension to open 2025 and featuring in just seven AFL games in three seasons suggests Josh Fahey is still a pipe dream as a potential cash cow. However, it’s worth acknowledging his form at the state league level, where Fahey has averaged 101.7 points in his 24 games since being drafted.
Taj Hotton, $307K, MID/FWD, Tigers – An ACL tear last May means that we won’t see Taj Hotton in Tigers’ colours anytime soon. Once touted as a potential No. 1 pick, it’s worth keeping him on your radar in case he becomes a late-season bolter à la Billy Dowling/Lawson Humphries in 2024.
Angus Clarke, $230K, DEF, Bombers – Angus Clarke has made his presence known early in his Bombers tenure, blitzing his new teammates to claim victories in BOTH of the 2km time trials. His fantasy scores don’t leap off the page, but the dashing Don has been likened to Mason Redman and may emerge as a defensive bench rook worth trusting.
James Barrat, $247K, DEF/FWD, Saints – Key position players are often taboo in fantasy circles, but James Barrat may be an exception. The Bendigo Pioneers B&F winner from last season produced consistent scores while thriving as a swingman – doing his best work in defence while flirting with a 90-point average.
Lucas Camporeale, $230K, MID, Blues – Turning heads for his work as an outside midfielder last year, Lucas Camporeale will take some time to develop into an AFL footballer. With that said, he has shown a strong scoring ability and if he can avoid a vest when Carlton plays him, there’s a blueprint for success.
Ben Camporeale, $230K, MID, Blues – Ben Camporeale enters the AFL with more fantasy upside than his twin, displaying all the traits of a future fantasy stud. Eye-pooping averages of 31.7 disposals, 6.7 clearances and 108.7 points in half a dozen SANFL U-18 matches. leap off the page, although we don’t expect Camporeale to get heavy midfield minutes for the Blues’ AFL side. Should he break into the senior side, the basement-priced MID could be worth a shout.
Tom Campbell, $316K, RUC, Demons – No one is considering a player priced over $230K for their R3 spot, right? Should an injury strike 33-year-old Max Gawn however, Tom Campbell instantly becomes a relevant investment – so it’s worth monitoring his state-league production throughout 2025.
Cody Anderson, $230K, MID, Hawks – Hawthorn’s new rugged inside MID looks like a promising prospect who only needs an opportunity to shine. Cody Anderson averaged almost six tackles a game and a tick over 90 points, with a skill set that should translate straight to the pros.
Zach Reid, $230K, DEF, Bombers – Can we really trust Zach Reid again? The Bombers’ top-10 draft pick has only featured in seven games across his four seasons on an AFL list, with injuries the main narrative associated with Reid. Thanks to his cheap price tag though, he’s worth keeping an eye on at least.
Tyler Welsh, $230K, FWD, Crows – Adelaide’s father-son prospect may see some senior footy after his development was fast-tracked by playing against bigger bodies in the SANFL last season. However, as a key forward there is limited fantasy upside – illustrated by his average of 45.4 points.
Cooper Hynes, $283K, MID, Bulldogs – It’s impossible to forecast how Luke Beveridge will use Cooper Hynes in year one. I believe he’ll be a promising, long-term piece of the Bulldogs’ midfield, which probably means he’ll don the sub vest regularly and play VFL footy for the bulk of the season.
Seamus Mitchell, $357K, DEF, Hawks – We aren’t touching Seamus Mitchell at an inflated starting price and he took a step backwards last year compared to his debut season in 2023. He was a relevant cash cow a few years back with an average of almost 63, so maybe the versatile Hawk can turn things around.
Luke Urquhart, $230K, MID, Kangaroos – Luke Urquhart faces an uphill climb to cement a spot in North Melbourne’s starting 23. Should he manage to do so, then fantasy coaches should be ready with the East Fremantle product proving himself to be a dominant machine in the WAFL Colts competition.
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