AFL GameDay Squad Round 17 Preview | Best Matchups, PODs & Key Trends

AFL GameDay Squad Round 17 Preview is here and so is round 17 of the AFL, and after what feels like forever, we can finally pick from a full player pool again. Bye rounds are done. We’re back.

A quick glance at this week’s matchups, returning stars, and form players shows we’ve got a real selection squeeze across all lines. I don’t think any position has a “clear best” combination—there are viable options everywhere, including a few juicy PODs outside the top 10 in each line. This week I’ll be focusing on highlighting some of those players we need to consider.

👉 Haven’t signed up for AFL GameDay Squad yet? Use the code BOBAFL at sign-up for free packs to kickstart your squad.

Let’s get stuck into the Round 17 preview.

Round 17 Matchups – Best Plays by Position

DEFENDERS - AFL GameDay Squad Round 17 Preview

Important to note: Lachie Whitfield hasn’t made the trip west, which is a big blow—he could’ve gone 130+ this week. So who does that open up? Honestly, no one from GWS really stands out beyond Lachie Ash.

Marvel Stadium has two ripper matchups with some of my favourite fantasy teams—Bulldogs, Saints, and Bombers—all playing under the roof. Bailey Dale, Nic Martin, Jack Sinclair, and NWM are all strong picks based on venue alone.

Also worth a look: John Noble, Karl Amon, and Harry Sheezel (even after a quiet week and a shoulder knock—he's reportedly fine). And don’t sleep on the Crows defenders after they carved up Richmond. That puts Lawson Humphries, Tom Stewart, and Max Holmes into serious consideration—could we run three Geelong players in defence?

There’s no perfect backline combo this week. Expect a spread and some huge scores if you land the right mix.

MIDFIELDERS - AFL GameDay Squad Round 17 Preview

The man is back.

Errol.

“Ohhh Errol, I would give everything just to be like him.”

I sat wing side at the Swans v Dogs game and watched him up close—he was hungry. Not a single moment where he wasn’t working to be an option. 85%+ TOG, high effort, passed the eye test by a mile. Lock him in. He’s back in our teams permanently.

The Dogs have a juicy matchup against North. Expect Libba, Bont, and Ed Richards to put in solid shifts—play any of them with confidence.

Over west, the GWS boys are primed to destroy West Coast. Tom Green and Finn Callaghan could go huge.

Another one I like is Essendon vs Suns at Marvel. Rowell, Anderson, and Caldwell should all be solid—but the big question is: Does Merrett go back into the guts with Parish out? It’s a game-changer.

Dawson and Rozee continue to score like top-tier mids, and Butters could explode if Brisbane back themselves in and don’t tag.

It’s a jam-packed midfield this week. You’ll definitely miss someone who goes 130+—but don’t stress, you’ll probably make it up somewhere else.

RUCKS - AFL GameDay Squad Round 17 Preview

Complete opposite to the mids and backs—the rucks are tough this week.

Max Gawn is in ripping form but comes up against ROB, one of the hardest matchups going. Not ideal.

There are three ruck matchups I’m eyeing off:

1.     Nankervis vs Geelong – He could go big here. I think he gets 40+ hitouts, which sets up a nice floor.

2.     Witts vs Visentini (if solo) – He could genuinely break the hitout record in that game. Massive ceiling.

3.     English – Not a tough matchup and could dominate around the ground in a game the Dogs should control.

I don’t mind Grundy, Xerri, or Marshall either—play what suits your squad. For me, I’ll be mixing it up and won’t run the same combo across any of my four teams.

FORWARDS - AFL GameDay Squad Round 17 Preview

Let’s talk matchups:

·       The Geelong boys – Can you play 7? Lock and load.

·       Hogan and Greene – They destroy the bottom sides. Play both? Go for it.

·       Darcy Fogarty – In ripping form. Last week was a blip—he should’ve kicked another one. I expect a big bounce back.

·       Kozzy Pickett – Leading CBAs for the Dees now. Gotta be in the convo.

·       Macrae – Under the roof at Marvel = pig pen potential.

·       Luke Jackson – Unbelievable form lately. Super consistent.

·       Izak Rankine – Could bounce back big at home against a weak Dees side.

Only issue? I’m currently in Sydney—it’s absolutely pouring. I went to Disney on Ice at the SCG last Friday and the ground was a mess. I’m not sure it’ll be much better this week, which might push me off Freo forwards.

Track the weather closely and fade where needed. But otherwise, lean into the matchups.

Top 5 PODs for Round 17

Want to separate from the pack? Here are five PODs that could help you do just that:

1.     Lawson Humphries

2.     Jarrod Witts

3.     Toby Nankervis

4.     Tom Stewart

5.     Errol Gulden

Tag Watch – Potential Matchups

·       James Jordon → Serong – They’ve done it before, expect it again

·       Cincotta or Hewett → Nick Daicos – Likely a hard tag

·       Windhager → Newcombe – Saints will look to restrict him

BOBS Early Starter – Team of the Round

Based on matchups, form, and GameDay Squad strategy, here’s an early look at a high-upside squad for Round 17:

 

Weather & Venue Watch – Key Conditions for Round 17

Thursday, July 3

North Melbourne vs. Western Bulldogs

·       Venue: Marvel Stadium, Melbourne

·       Time: 7:30 PM AEST

·       Forecast: Indoor venue – weather conditions outside will not impact the game.

·       Rain Risk: None.

Friday, July 4

Carlton vs. Collingwood

·       Venue: MCG, Melbourne

·       Time: 7:20 PM AEST

·       Forecast: Partly cloudy, 6–15°C.

·       Rain Risk: Low – minimal chance of showers during the game.

West Coast Eagles vs. GWS Giants

·       Venue: Optus Stadium, Perth

·       Time: 8:20 PM AWST (10:20 PM AEST)

·       Forecast: Possible shower, 9–19°C.

·       Rain Risk: Moderate – potential for light showers during the match.

Saturday, July 5

Essendon vs. Gold Coast Suns

·       Venue: Marvel Stadium, Melbourne

·       Time: 12:35 PM AEST

·       Forecast: Indoor venue – weather conditions outside will not impact the game.

·       Rain Risk: None.

Geelong vs. Richmond

·       Venue: GMHBA Stadium, Geelong

·       Time: 4:15 PM AEST

·       Forecast: Mostly sunny, 6–15°C.

·       Rain Risk: Low – dry conditions expected.

Brisbane Lions vs. Port Adelaide

·       Venue: Gabba, Brisbane

·       Time: 7:35 PM AEST

·       Forecast: Clear skies, 9–20°C.

·       Rain Risk: None.

St Kilda vs. Hawthorn

·       Venue: Marvel Stadium, Melbourne

·       Time: 7:40 PM AEST

·       Forecast: Indoor venue – weather conditions outside will not impact the game.

·       Rain Risk: None.

Sunday, July 6

Sydney Swans vs. Fremantle

·       Venue: SCG, Sydney

·       Time: 1:10 PM AEST

·       Forecast: Showers likely, 80% chance.

·       Rain Risk: High

Adelaide Crows vs. Melbourne

·       Venue: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

·       Time: 3:15 PM AEST

·       Forecast: Partly cloudy with a slight chance of a shower.

·       Rain Risk: Low – minimal impact expected.

Final Thoughts

Round 17 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 17

Cheers

Goal Practitioner