The Ultimate AFL Fantasy Form Guide | In-Form PODs to Win Your GameDay Squad Matchups

In GameDay Squad, form is perhaps one of the defining features. Matchup, taggers, venues, and weather are all critical; however, form can transcend all of these to produce winning scores. When we consider the fantasy formats, this is great for putting flyers on in draft or training in underpriced players in AFL Fantasy or SuperCoach.

In GDS, we use form to help guide which players should be our higher-tier cards, and who to consider for the final positions on-field to give us that weekly win.

So with that in mind, today I’m gonna take a look at the top of the form lines, but also focus on the players that are hitting form yet are overlooked due to their seasonal averages.

The Ultimate AFL Fantasy Form Guide -Diamonds, baby (or highest you got in the locker room)

The strategy here transcends positions. In the last couple of years, we’ve seen rucks dominate this section. However, we’ve seen a swing more towards the designated kicker in 2025.

1. Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera

Over the last 5 rounds, he’s been incredible—the top-scoring player with a 5-round average of 154. He’s the key ball mover for the Saints, and as his contract continues to be speculated, he keeps adding zeroes with his gameplay. You have to lock him in as your top card. You’d think he has to get some real attention at some point—but we haven’t seen it yet.

2. Bailey Smith

When this guy plays—and isn’t a late out—he too has been amazing. His form isn’t new and he’s been irrepressible all season (when he doesn’t have the flu). If he’s playing, his Diamonds are forever.

3. Brodie Grundy

It’s back to the future with the big man. A 5-game average of 147.4 is massive. As I write this, he looks to be building another big score versus the double rucks. Looking ahead, he has one of the juiciest runs for an in-form ruck I can remember. Lock and load.

The Ultimate AFL Fantasy Form Guide - The Overlooked Players We Need to Consider

Defenders

I didn’t think I’d be writing about this guy in 2025. I had high hopes after taking his Prize card last year, but I thought I was in trouble watching the start of the season. His team looks woeful again, and they tried him more forward early, but the last 5 rounds have seen him revert back to defense—and he's become a top 6 defender in that span. He’s hungry and loves a 1-2. We’ve seen big scores from players in that position, and it’s time to acknowledge that Colby McKercher may just be banging down the door for a spot in our defensive lines.

The other player to watch here is Liam Duggan. His role also appears to have changed and—like Colby—his team is struggling. Coming off scores of 125 and 144, it might be time we strongly consider this POD for our teams, or at least see him as a cheap alternative with no significant drop in output.

On another note, Jordan Clark looks to be back to his best.

Midfielders

This guy has put up better numbers than every midfielder except Daicos over the last 5 rounds, yet I haven’t considered him once for my team. Josh Dunkley appears to have moved away from a full-time mid role, spending more time forward, and it’s opened the door for Hugh McCluggage to come inside and score big. He’s cheap—I picked up 2 Diamonds for $7—and he’s delivering. Not only has he dominated ther last 5 - Hes the 4th best scoring mid over the year.

Now, I was going to write about Jye Caldwell, who has also been great, but after watching him sink my team with his flimsy ankle (heal up soon), I’ve had to pivot. Instead, let’s talk Matt Rowell—he has a 5-round average of 125 and doesn’t appear to be the #1 tag target. His team could be heading to finals for the first time ever, and he’ll be a key cog. He’s a demon in the tackle, giving him a safe floor, and when he adds more possessions, he really dominates. He’s getting seriously disrespected compared to his mate Noah Anderson, who continues to be picked more despite worse output over the last 5. Strong consideration is required.

Finn Callaghan and Isaac Heeney have also hit form and are currently outscoring Butters and Dawson over the last 5 rounds.

Rucks

Rather than the set-and-forget of 2024 with Xerri and Marshall, we now have a roundabout of rucks. Darcy Cameron and Grundy are the two big surprise packets. This is now a matchup-driven position, where you fallback to Grundy or Marshall if nothing else pops up—like this week.

Forwards

To start the year, it felt like we had a heap of safe options and then a significant gap. But with JHF copping injuries and sub-outs, and Moore falling away from consistency, outside of the top 3–4 forwards it’s become a free-for-all—just hope you roll the right dice.

That said, there’s huge opportunity here.

The bloke we just discussed (JHF) is actually starting to turn it around. His 5-round average of 103.6 has him sitting 7th in the order. Kozzy Pickett, who’s been a staple, is averaging 98.4 over his last five, while the likes of Caleb Daniel and Ben Keays are both going at 101—offering cheap upside.

TOP players based on averages for 2025

Form Trumps Name Value

Clearly, each position has players that we need to be considering—players we’re currently overlooking due to names or early-season averages. Form is king, and it’s time we react accordingly. 

When it comes to building a winning GameDay Squad, season averages and big names only tell part of the story. What really matters—especially as we approach the pointy end of the season—is form. Players flying under the radar are delivering week after week, and it’s those in-form PODs that will separate the contenders from the pretenders.

Whether it's Wanganeen-Milera setting the pace, Grundy turning back the clock, or the likes of McCluggage, Colby, and Rowell finding serious touch, your ability to spot these surges and act on them is where games are won.

Ignore the price tag. Forget the name on the back. Back the form, trust the data, and don’t be afraid to zag when others zig.

There’s plenty of footy left, and plenty of points still to be won.

See you in the winners' circle