Footy is back.

Well, I guess it was technically back last week, but premiership-points footy that doesn’t have fantasy implications should only be limited to the finals. I mean shit, I almost went and got myself a Sp#rtsB*t account just to add some spice to the games… Anywho, you’re here because you might have drafted the likes of Coleman, Parish, Docherty, Parker, Darcy, Mills, Walsh, Guthrie, Day, Simpkin, Graham, Sinclair, Adams, Dale and holy fuck it’s been a brutal preseason!

The purpose of this article is to suggest one week streaming options, that is, a list of lowly owned players* worthy of a one week pickup and play, so as to fill any gaps you may have in your starting squad. Here are some draft leftovers I like for a round 1 stream:

*player ownership percentages taken from AFL Fantasy

DEFENDERS

Darcy Wilmot (23%) vs. Fremantle – Freo are a mildly positive matchup for general defenders, but the real appeal here is founded in Coleman’s absence. I’ve been on Wilmot all preseason, he scored in the 70s last week, and if you can tell me where else Coleman’s points are going to go, please do, because I’m struggling to figure it out, and I call myself a Lions fan…

Zac Guthrie (28%) vs. St Kilda – ‘defenders against St. Kilda’ was a streamer’s boon in 2023, and that’s the most recent scoring data I have to go off because I ain’t bothering with preseason numbers, okay? Guthrie does have fantasy 100s in him though, and I think this is a safe stream with BOOM potential. 

Steven May (30%)  vs. Western Bulldogs – the Dogs were also a tasty matchup for defenders in 2023, and we know what May’s ceiling is like, particularly in SC. If Salem goes back to the midfield (after starting there but moving back thanks to Bowey last week), May’s scoring could benefit. This is another safe stream with BOOM potential, albeit a pretty boring one given that May lives on the fringes of ownership in every 10 team, 5-7-1-5 league. Regardless, he’ll be my first SHOE-IN OF THE WEEK for 2024. 

MIDFIELDERS

Riley Bonner (39%) vs. Geelong – I know the salary dweebs are onto him, but I was still shocked to see his ownership numbers for draft comps. If Sinclair misses, he’s a really fine play in a defensive rebounder role, but I’m basing this solely on his preseason numbers; so how gullible are we? 

Matt Roberts (25%) vs. Collingwood – we have another mid-only eligible player scoring in a defensive role here, with the big difference being we saw it in a real game last week. Additionally, enough defenders scored nicely against the Pies last week to quell any matchup concerns you might have for this one. 

Ben Hobbs (45%) vs. Hawthorn – Parish’s injury is the basis for this tip. The only other reason I really have here is that I like Hobbs in terms of both actual and fantasy footy. Sheil is doubtful too, but I better mention that Hobbs had minor injury concerns in the preseason (he played in a VFL practice match last week though). 

Willem Drew (42%) vs. West Coast – would it be a Stream Team article if I didn’t feature: a) Willem Drew and b) a mid versus West Coast? No, it wouldn’t. If Port slam the Eagles (and they will), I can see Butters and the like being rested late, leaving some points out there for my boy, Drewy. He could literally be the player I’ve featured the most over the 3-4 years I’ve been writing this piece. 

RUCK

Rhys Stanley (32%) vs. St Kilda – can you think of anyone better that’s available on wires? Bite me. 

FORWARDS

Todd Marshall (10%) vs. West Coast – forward streaming will win you matchups this year, mark my words! This is the year the Stream Team article breaks out and gets snapped up by one of them proper content providers, like the Coaches Panel or Honeyball or something, and it will all be due to the success of my forward streaming advice and how vital it will be in getting you all wins!

Also, forwards against West Coast will still very much be a great play.

Harry McKay (48%) vs. Richmond – I watched Richmond live last week, and man, did their defense look woeful… as did their midfield, and their forward line, and their bench, for that matter. An SC 150 is not out of the question for big H here – he also looked like he could kick last week too. 

Bailey Fritsch (14%) vs. Western Bulldogs – key forwards loved it against the Dogs last year, and although Fritsch isn’t a traditional KPP, he’s close enough in his role. With two 84+ scores (SC) in his last 3 against the Dogs, I quite like the punt here, especially in SC. 

Now this article will be published before teams drop on Thursday, so make necessary adjustments when they do, or hit me up on X (@lionelhutz4prez) for any streaming queries you may have. 

And as always, may your streams flow golden and strong!