It’s that time of the year again! The 2024 AFL season is only a few weeks away and footy fans are dusting off their research for another tilt at SuperCoach, AFL Fantasy or Draftstars DFS glory this season.
One of the most popular forms of AFL Fantasy is a draft league where a group of mates come together and draft players for their fantasy team for the season.
So who is hot to draft in 2024? If you’re looking for a leg up in the early rounds of your AFL fantasy draft, then here’s our top 20 AFL fantasy players to draft in season 2024.
Just remember in your draft, you’re going to have to pick players from each position - Midfielders, Defenders, Forwards and Rucks - so while there are a gluttony of good midfielders, there are limited premium picks in the other positions, so that often makes them a good early pick.
1. Tim English (RCK) - The big Bulldog was the highest averaging AFL fantasy player last season at 118.7 points per game. While there are a couple of other very good rucks floating around, grabbing yourself a top-shelf ruck in English nice and early sets you up for a big season.
2. Nick Daicos (DEF/MID) - An undoubted superstar of the competition. Should’ve won the Brownlow last year and is the favourite to win it in 2024. Averaged 109 fantasy points last season and with only three defenders averaging above 100, you’re getting yourself the very best by taking Daicos early.
3. Rowan Marshall (RCK) - We’re going back to the rucks again to grab Rowan Marshall at pick #3. Averaged a whopping 116 points last season to be the 3rd best in the competition, and as solo ruck for the Saints, it’s hard to not see him up there again in 2024.
4. Marcus Bontempelli (MID) - The champion Bulldog was at his very best last season, averaging 117 and playing every game. Racks up points at will and it doesn’t matter if he’s midfield or floating forward, he’ll be influencing every match with some big fantasy scoring.
5. Errol Gulden (MID) - Rocketing up the charts in 2024 is Sydney’s Errol Gulden. Was left to play by himself on the wing last season and averaged 113. Gulden is likely to move more into the middle this year so we’ll have to see if he gets some more attention from the opposition. Can produce some massive scores.
6. Luke Jackson (RCK/FWD) - One that might fly under the radar in your drafts is Luke Jackson but we’ve got him rated pretty highly. He’s a young player who is still improving, so he’s a good chance to go above his 85 average last season. He is also a nice dual-position player who can fill a ruck spot or be a strong forward for your team.
7. Harry Sheezel (DEF) - The official “Rising Star” of the competition is North’s Harry Sheezel who in his first season was statistically ahead of Nick Daicos, so if he can keep those numbers up in his second season then he’s a great pick. With no Jack Ziebell or Aaron Hall in North’s backline this season, Sheezel might get plenty of cheap touches there!
8. Max Gawn (RCK) - Another great ruck option is Max Gawn. He was statistically down last season with just a 92 average, but that was largely due to the failed job share with Brodie Grundy. Maxy has the keys back this season so expect him to get back to his dominant best!
9. Tom Green (MID) - Tom Green is about to take over the competition to become one of the elites of the game. He’s everything you want in a fantasy player. A hard tackler who is at every contest and wins plenty of ball. Averaged 111 last season and could go higher in 2024.
10. Jack Macrae (FWD/MID) - Sneaks into the top 10 given his dual-position status in a weak forward division. Macrae does enter the season under a bit of an injury cloud, but the role could be there for him with Bailey Smith out for the season. We easily forget he was the premier fantasy player of the competition for several seasons, so any uptick on his 92 average from last season will make him a fantastic pick as a forward.
11. Brodie Grundy (RCK)
12. James Sicily (DEF)
13. Zach Merrett (MID)
14. Jordan Dawson (MID)
15. Caleb Serong (MID)
16. Nic Newman (DEF)
17. Rory Laird (MID)
18. Jack Sinclair (DEF)
19. Sam Flanders (FWD/MID)
20. Luke Davies-Uniacke (MID)
