AFL GameDay Squad Round 7 Preview | Best Matchups, PODs & Key Trends

The AFL GameDay Squad Round 7 Preview is here, bringing you the latest insights to help you dominate this week’s matchups. Join us for Round 7 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 7 Preview and identify the must-have players for the week!

AFL GameDay Squad Round 7 Preview– Best Plays by Position

WEST COAST

Carrying on from last week, due to their inability to football, we will take a look at the opponent of the West Coast Eagles. This week they come up against Hawthorn, who will be wanting to bounce back after a couple of losses. Designated kickers have been scoring well against WCE, meaning Karl Amon (113 GDS Average) is an option. I would avoid James Sicily due to his lack of form but can see some coaches rolling the dice on him. Midfielders have been okay against WCE but not scoring massively above their averages. The only real option here is Jai Newcombe (119 GDS Average), who has been very consistent this year with a low of 91 GDS and 3 of his last 4 scores above 126 GDS. Meek (100 GDS Average) has been consistent and I can see him scoring in the 110+ range quite easily. Dylan Moore (84 GDS Average) would normally be an option but has been getting far less of the ball compared to last year, and I would avoid unless necessary.

DEFENDERS

There have been quite a few consistent defender options so far this year, but with some premiums having quiet weeks in Round 6 (Sinclair 98, NWM 101, Zorko 98, and Holmes 91) there is still massive upside to pick players with the best matchups. Those who backed in Noble & Dale were rewarded. Designated kickers down back have been performing well against Richmond and Fremantle.

Richmond come up against Melbourne this week. I like Jake Bowey (112 GDS Average) and Christian Salem (111 GDS Average) in this matchup. I am slightly cautious with both sides having a 5-day break but expect these 2 players to be solid. Fremantle come up against Adelaide Crows, who don’t have any defenders I would be risking on, as they would need to score well above their averages to be fieldable. Rory Laird (100 GDS Average) could be run through your midfields if coaches are after a value option. St Kilda have been scored against by general defenders, and whilst Dayne Zorko (124 GDS Average) doesn’t fit exactly into this category, coaches should back him in to bounce back this week after a decent rest. Darcy Wilmot (92 GDS Average) could be good, but as with the Adelaide options, would need to outperform his average by 20–30% to be a good pick.

MIDFIELDERS

In the last 5 rounds, inside midfielders have scored well against Richmond, Sydney and Brisbane. Brisbane are a surprise to see, but given they rarely tag—and when they do, it is never too hard (e.g., Jarrod Berry on Nick Daicos was pointless)—it makes sense that some teams are scoring well against them.

St Kilda midfielders are in alternate GDS positions but should be great – playing high multipliers of Jack Sinclair (125 GDS Average) and Jack Macrae (115 GDS Average) will help coaches. Against Richmond, Christian Petracca (105 GDS Average) has been very consistent with a low of 91 GDS and is a safe pick. Oliver (111 GDS Average) started hot but has been down recently. Certainly another option.

Gold Coast take on Sydney at their home ground – I really like Noah Anderson (123 GDS Average) and Matt Rowell (118 GDS Average) this week and would be backing both players in despite the risk of a tag.

RUCKS

Rucks continue to be quite a difficult position to nail each week. As mentioned, Rowan Marshall and TDK were SH!T this week and burned a lot of coaches.

Geelong and Fremantle have been giving up scores to rucks recently, which is not surprising given Geelong don’t really have a ruck and Fremantle appear to have rushed Sam Darcy back in early.

Geelong come up against Carlton, meaning TDK (111 GDS Average) might return to form. Fremantle come up against Adelaide Crows, but I can’t see the risk being worth it with Reilly O’Brien. But if you are desperate for a POD he could be an option (but it is not my recommendation!).

FORWARDS

Most forwards we are playing are in a midfield role in their teams, meaning we need to look at midfield matchups mostly. Key forwards have performed well against Melbourne, Essendon and Western Bulldogs – but I don’t love any option against them.

If Jesse Hogan (96 GDS Average) comes back in, he is the only key forward I like this week. Jason Horne-Francis (111 GDS Average) returned to form this week and should do well against North Melbourne when up forward. He certainly isn’t a POD, but Kysaiah Pickett (121 GDS Average) has looked incredible since returning, and I expect another big score from him this week – big prop to GDS Tom for this pick 3 weeks ago.

Top 5 PODs for Round 7

Every round, unique point-of-difference (POD) players can separate the best squads from the pack. Here are five left-field picks to consider:

POD Review – Round 6 Picks

1. Will Setterfield – 121 – Tick, solid score

2. Bailey Dale – 136 – Big tick, had 24 kicks and dominated

3. John Noble – 138 – Big tick, 20 kicks and 10 marks

4. Luke Davies-Uniacke – 85 – Poor score, only 1 mark for the day despite 25 possessions, a reminder that North Melbourne are dreadful

5. Jarrod Witts – 91 – Probably an acceptable score given other premium options failed such as Marshall (61) and TDK (75); however, was not as good as Gawn (138) and Xerri (122), who were also popular

Another decent week of picks – Dale and Noble were amazing for those who backed them in! Setterfield also solid, but surely nobody had the guts to play him! Maybe this week?

Here’s this week’s BOBs picks:

1. Karl Amon (10th ranked on average)

2. Lloyd Meek (7th ranked on average)

3. Jack Bowey (11th ranked on average)

4. Darcy Wilmot (not even top 20 ranked but a throw at the stumps if you need a cheap option)

5. Matt Rowell (16th ranked on average)

AFL Trends Noticed by BOBS

BOBS keeps an eye on emerging trends to help GameDay Squad coaches get ahead. Here are the key observations from recent rounds:

• For mine, Richmond is the big story – we have been playing them as a great matchup, but they have not been the soft target many thought they would be. That said, they are still a great choice for our first-choice guys, but the fringe players are struggling.

• Sydney look a soft target and are giving away big scores, especially to inside mids.

• The Pear is back and so is the restrictive game plan. Fade players against GWS, Port, and Hawthorn – all are restricted across the board.

Weather & Venue Watch – Key Conditions for Round 7

Before locking in your squad, consider these weather and venue factors that could impact fantasy scoring:

Thursday, April 24

Melbourne vs Richmond – 7:30pm AEST, MCG (Melbourne)

• Forecast: Mostly sunny during the day with a slight chance of a shower at night

• Rain Chance: 30%

• Expected Rainfall: 0 to 1 mm

• Game Impact: Low likelihood of rain affecting the match

Friday, April 25

Collingwood vs Essendon – 3:20pm AEST, MCG (Melbourne)

• Forecast: Cloudy with a very high chance of showers, increasing to rain during the morning and afternoon• Rain Chance: 90%

• Expected Rainfall: 4 to 25 mm

• Game Impact: Rain likely during the game, which may affect play

• BOBS View: This is a massive game for our fantasy points – Daicos, Merrett, Cameron, Martin – and the fact that there could be significant rain is a must-watch and has to be considered on the fade.

Fremantle vs Adelaide Crows – 8:10pm AEST, Optus Stadium (Perth)

• Forecast: Mostly sunny and pleasant

• Rain Chance: 5%

• Expected Rainfall: 0 mm

• Game Impact: Unlikely to experience rain during the game

Saturday, April 26

St Kilda vs Brisbane Lions – 1:20pm AEST, Marvel Stadium (Melbourne)

• Forecast: Cloudy with a high chance of showers, most likely in the morning and afternoon

• Rain Chance: 70%

• Expected Rainfall: 0 to 6 mm

• Game Impact: Rain possible during the game, which may affect play

Port Adelaide vs North Melbourne – 4:15pm AEST, Adelaide Oval (Adelaide)

• Forecast: Partly cloudy with a slight chance of a shower, most likely in the morning and afternoon

• Rain Chance: 30%

• Expected Rainfall: 0 to 1 mm

• Game Impact: Low likelihood of rain affecting the match

GWS GIANTS vs Western Bulldogs – 7:35pm AEST, Manuka Oval (Canberra)

• Forecast: Partly cloudy with a high chance of showers, most likely in the afternoon and evening

• Rain Chance: 70%

• Expected Rainfall: 0 to 7 mm

• Game Impact: Rain likely during the game, which may affect play

Sunday, April 27

Gold Coast SUNS vs Sydney Swans – 1:15pm AEST, People First Stadium (Gold Coast)

• Forecast: Partly cloudy with a slight chance of a shower, most likely in the afternoon

• Rain Chance: 30%

• Expected Rainfall: 0 to 1 mm

• Game Impact: Unlikely to experience significant rain during the game

Carlton vs Geelong Cats – 3:20pm AEST, MCG (Melbourne)

• Forecast: Cloudy with a medium chance of showers, most likely in the afternoon and evening

• Rain Chance: 70%

• Expected Rainfall: 0 to 4 mm

• Game Impact: Rain possible during the game, which may affect play

Hawthorn vs West Coast Eagles – 4:45pm AEST, Marvel Stadium (Melbourne)

• Forecast: Cloudy with a medium chance of showers, most likely in the afternoon and evening

• Rain Chance: 70%

• Expected Rainfall: 0 to 4 mm

• Game Impact: Rain possible during the game, which may affect play

Summary: Most Melbourne-based games could see some rain over the weekend. The highest rain impact is expected for Collingwood vs Essendon and GWS vs Bulldogs. Keep an eye on updates as game day approaches.

Teams and Their Taggers

This will be an evolving area as we see trends develop. In Round 6, while taggers existed, they slowed no one down. They still tried to do jobs but looked like they were on strike all games across the round.

1. Toby Bedford – Has been in great form slowing players down. The coach mentioned they would have a crack at Rankine or Dawson depending on where they were playing (who was inside). He proceeded to be almost irrelevant, limiting neither player as they put up huge scores. In the past 2 years, they have gone after Bont with the tag and done quite well; however, both times it’s been Ward doing the job. I think it’s an interesting watch—one of the hardest blokes to tag vs the comp’s current best tagger. Given the form, I’m backing Bont here.

2. James Jordan – This bloke was extremely relevant tagging the inside mids. However, against Port Adelaide, he looked lost. Rozee ran him off his feet in the first quarter—similar to the job Daicos did on him the week before. He was switched to JHF, which also proved to be of little effect. After half-time, I'm not sure if they gave up the tag or if he was so ineffective it didn’t matter. Has had his colours well and truly lowered two weeks in a row. Swans are struggling, and I think they’ll try again vs Anderson or Rowell—but will it be relevant?

3. Marcus Windhager – Ross thought they better slow Richards down and not worry about Bont going 30+ and 2 goals. Richards put up a ton, and the Bulldogs went mental. He will tag again, and this week I think it’s Lachie Neale in the crosshairs. For a two-time Brownlow medallist, he’s extremely tag-prone—so for me, it’s a hard fade.

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 7:

Final Thoughts

Round 7 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 7!

Cheers

Beast Mode and The Goal Practitioner.