AFL GameDay Squad Round 11 Preview | Best Matchups, PODs & Key Trends

The AFL GameDay Squad Round 11 Preview is here, bringing you the latest insights to help you dominate this week’s matchups. Join us for Round 11 as we break down the best positional matchups, highlight the top PODs, analyse key AFL trends, and keep an eye on noteworthy venues and weather conditions.

Plus, we’ll check in on BOBS team results and reveal our early starter squad for the round. If you haven’t signed up for AFL GameDay Squad yet, now’s the time!

Use our exclusive code BOBAFL at sign-up to unlock free packs and kickstart your squad. Let’s get into the AFL GameDay Squad Round 11 Preview and identify the must-have players for the week!

AFL GameDay Squad Round 10 Preview – Best Players by Position

AFL GameDay Squad Round 11 Preview -DEFENDERS

This week presents some juicy POD options for defenders. Richmond are conceding the most points to designated kickers so far this season. I really like the option of Mason Redman (98 GDS AV) this week. He hasn’t been amazing so far this season but is finding some form. I also expect Matt Roberts (109 GDS AV) to be a safe play this week against Melbourne. Whilst he is borderline premium status now, John Noble (119 GDS AV) should pump out another big score under the roof at Marvel vs St Kilda.

AFL GameDay Squad Round 11 Preview -MIDFIELDERS

There are a couple of fallen premiums who have great matchups this week and could be value picks that not many others go for. Jack Steele (105 GDS AV) has had a decent run in his last three games and should have a friendly matchup against the Suns. Tim Taranto (106 GDS AV) hasn’t lit the world on fire this season but has a great matchup with Essendon this week and is a safe pick.

AFL GameDay Squad Round 11 Preview -RUCKS

There aren’t too many friendly matchups for our premium rucks this week, so it’s probably just a matter of picking whichever gun you like and hoping for the best. Darcy Cameron (121 GDS AV) doesn’t get the love he deserves at times but is coming up against Tristan Xerri (120 GDS AV), who has been on fire lately and is a tough matchup. My unique pick for the week would be Tom De Koning (110 GDS AV). With Pittonet out of the side, he has a friendly matchup against Kieren Briggs and could post a big score under the roof.

AFL GameDay Squad Round 11 Preview -FORWARDS

Tough week for forwards as we are missing Jason Horne-Francis and Jack Macrae through injury, meaning coaches will need to get creative. Those who jumped on Gryan Miers and Jeremy Cameron last night would be grinning this morning as both put up solid scores. You’d expect Izak Rankine (112 GDS AV) to have a day out against the Eagles this weekend and he'll feature in most teams. Luke Jackson (99 GDS AV) is always better when he’s the sole ruck and is a must-play this week. Luke Parker (97 GDS AV) let down a lot of coaches last week who finally jumped on. He has a tough matchup with Collingwood this week, but his role is still there and he could reward those who keep the faith. For a boom-or-bust option, Peter Wright (100 GDS AV) could kick a bag against Richmond and be a round-winning (or losing) pick.

POD Review – Round 10 Picks

1.         Bailey Dale – 191 GDS – Biggest tick of the year, a round winning pick!

2.         Christian Salem – 102 GDS – Slight fail just because of how high the bar is set for defenders, but not the worst score

3.         Jack Steele – 117 GDS – Slight tick and a respectable score, still a lot better than Nick Daicos and Zach Merrett!

4.         Jarrad Witts – 93 GDS – Can’t give it a tick just because of how big the premiums went

5.         Jack Graham – 111 GDS – Tick, would have been an excellent pick

POD Picks – Round 11

1.        Mason Redman

2.        Matt Roberts

3.        Jack Steele

4.        Tom DeKoning

5.        Peter Wright

 AFL Round 11 Fixture, 2025 (Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous Round)

• Thursday, May 22, 2025 

  • Geelong vs. Western Bulldogs, GMHBA Stadium, 7:30 PM AEST 

    • Partly cloudy, 10–15°C, 20–30% chance of showers, SSE winds 10–20 km/h.

  
  

  Friday, May 23, 2025 

  • Essendon vs. Richmond, MCG, 7:40 PM AEST 

    • Partly cloudy, 8–16°C, 40% chance of showers, S-SE winds 15–20 km/h.

  
  

  Saturday, May 24, 2025 

  • Carlton vs. GWS Giants, Marvel Stadium, 1:20 PM AEST 

    • Roofed venue, no weather impact. Outside: cloudy, 9–15°C, 60% chance of showers, NW winds 15–25 km/h.

  • Hawthorn vs. Brisbane Lions, MCG, 4:15 PM AEST 

    • Partly cloudy, 8–14°C, 50% chance of showers, NW-N winds 20–30 km/h.

  • North Melbourne vs. Collingwood, Marvel Stadium, 7:35 PM AEST 

    • Roofed venue, no weather impact. Outside: cloudy, 7–12°C, 50% chance of showers, S-SW winds 15–25 km/h.

  • Fremantle vs. Port Adelaide, Optus Stadium, 8:10 PM AWST (6:10 PM AEST) 

    • Mostly clear, 10–18°C, 20% chance of light showers, W-SW winds 10–20 km/h.

  
  

  Sunday, May 25, 2025 

  • Adelaide vs. West Coast, Adelaide Oval, 12:40 PM ACST (1:10 PM AEST) 

    • Partly cloudy, 9–16°C, 40% chance of showers, W-NW winds 15–25 km/h.

  • Melbourne vs. Sydney Swans, MCG, 3:20 PM AEST 

    • Mostly sunny, possible late shower (30%), 8–15°C, N winds 25–40 km/h.

  • St Kilda vs. Gold Coast Suns, Marvel Stadium, 4:40 PM AEST 

    • Roofed venue, no weather impact. Outside: partly cloudy, 7–14°C, 40% chance of showers, S winds 10–15 km/h.

Starter Team

Final Thoughts

Round 11 presents some juicy matchups, high-upside PODs, and key trends to watch. Keep an eye on final team selections and late changes before locking in your squad. Stay tuned for more insights from Blokes on the Ball, and good luck in GameDay Squad Round 11