Position 2026 AFL Fantasy Midfielders

[tigs2010]

This line looks to have great rooks and some guys priced in the 90s that have done 105 plus with big ceilings. Butters, Walsh, Steele, Taranto, Serong.

Who has the balls to go a ~ $760k Darcy Parish

3

Darcy Parish

Age

28

Ht

180cm

Wt

81kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

20.4

5star

K

9.2

4star

HB

11.2

5star

M

3.2

3star

T

3.3

5star

CL

3.2

5star

D

16.6

4star

K

7.4

3star

HB

9.1

5star

M

1.4

2star

T

2.0

3star

CL

3.1

4star

D

22.2

5star

K

7.6

3star

HB

14.6

5star

M

3.2

4star

T

4.4

5star

CL

3.6

5star

lol. Bargain price..

Looks some pretty easy rookie picks on this line.

 

[Tex Danger]

Some interesting options in the 60s too

 

[BennyFC]

A few mid-pricers that I'm currently looking at:

Parish - Priced at 72, no early bye. Averaged 100+ from 2021-23, 91 in 2024 and 85 (from 3 games) in 2025. If he's in the main MID rotation you would imagine that he is 15-20 points of value. Depends where he sits in the pecking order of Caldwell, Merrett, Durham, Sharp and (maybe) McGrath, but you'd expect him to be in there.

Reid - Priced at 67, no early bye. Was clearly unfit in preseason last year, which I think showed in the first half of the season. Average 57 up to R12, and 84 in the second half of the season until his injury. Looks in cracking nick this preseason. I think the real fight is the Eagle's low PPG (highest averaging player in 2025 was McCarthy with 83ppg), but genuinely think Harley goes 90+ this year.

Curtin - Priced at 65, no early bye. Averaged 81 in the second half of last season, is training with the MIDS in preseason and reportedly dominating. Got 50% CBAs in Rnd 20 last year and knocked out 97, can see this rate of CBAs being the norm for him this year. Easy pick IMO.

Langford - Priced at 63, no early bye. Didn't get much of a go in the middle last year but has been tipped to get a run this year with Oliver and Petracca gone. Averaged 107 from 15 games as a midfielder in the Coates Talent League before getting drafted, so clearly can score. If he's one of the main 3 midfielders (Pickett, Viney, Langford? Do Rivers and Windsor get a run in there?) can see him going 85+

Brodie - Priced at 43, no early bye. Averaged 100 from 24 games with Freo in 2022 before losing his spot. Averaged 85ish from 45 games with Peel Thunder in the last 3 years, which is fairly disappointing. Has gone to Port and there's some talk that he'll get games but I just don't see it with Butters, Wines, Drew, Bergman and JHF (when fit) rotating through there. Think this one is wishful thinking - pick him if he is named given his price and easy early run, but I doubt it happens

Yeo/T Kelly - both priced at around 63. Don't think you go there but wanted to list them for completeness. Word is Yeo might be rotating through the backline and Kelly rotating through half-forward, with the midfield rotation being Reid, McCarthy, Hewett and some others (Dev Rob, maybe Jack Graham).

 

[Barrybran]

A few mid-pricers that I'm currently looking at:

Parish - Priced at 72, no early bye. Averaged 100+ from 2021-23, 91 in 2024 and 85 (from 3 games) in 2025. If he's in the main MID rotation you would imagine that he is 15-20 points of value. Depends where he sits in the pecking order of Caldwell, Merrett, Durham, Sharp and (maybe) McGrath, but you'd expect him to be in there.

Reid - Priced at 67, no early bye. Was clearly unfit in preseason last year, which I think showed in the first half of the season. Average 57 up to R12, and 84 in the second half of the season until his injury. Looks in cracking nick this preseason. I think the real fight is the Eagle's low PPG (highest averaging player in 2025 was McCarthy with 83ppg), but genuinely think Harley goes 90+ this year.

Curtin - Priced at 65, no early bye. Averaged 81 in the second half of last season, is training with the MIDS in preseason and reportedly dominating. Got 50% CBAs in Rnd 20 last year and knocked out 97, can see this rate of CBAs being the norm for him this year. Easy pick IMO.

Langford - Priced at 63, no early bye. Didn't get much of a go in the middle last year but has been tipped to get a run this year with Oliver and Petracca gone. Averaged 107 from 15 games as a midfielder in the Coates Talent League before getting drafted, so clearly can score. If he's one of the main 3 midfielders (Pickett, Viney, Langford? Do Rivers and Windsor get a run in there?) can see him going 85+

Brodie - Priced at 43, no early bye. Averaged 100 from 24 games with Freo in 2022 before losing his spot. Averaged 85ish from 45 games with Peel Thunder in the last 3 years, which is fairly disappointing. Has gone to Port and there's some talk that he'll get games but I just don't see it with Butters, Wines, Drew, Bergman and JHF (when fit) rotating through there. Think this one is wishful thinking - pick him if he is named given his price and easy early run, but I doubt it happens

Yeo/T Kelly - both priced at around 63. Don't think you go there but wanted to list them for completeness. Word is Yeo might be rotating through the backline and Kelly rotating through half-forward, with the midfield rotation being Reid, McCarthy, Hewett and some others (Dev Rob, maybe Jack Graham).

Scratch Kelly off your list. He'll be best 23 but we really need to move on from him.

 

[bettingonbetts]

A few mid-pricers that I'm currently looking at:

Parish - Priced at 72, no early bye. Averaged 100+ from 2021-23, 91 in 2024 and 85 (from 3 games) in 2025. If he's in the main MID rotation you would imagine that he is 15-20 points of value. Depends where he sits in the pecking order of Caldwell, Merrett, Durham, Sharp and (maybe) McGrath, but you'd expect him to be in there.

Reid - Priced at 67, no early bye. Was clearly unfit in preseason last year, which I think showed in the first half of the season. Average 57 up to R12, and 84 in the second half of the season until his injury. Looks in cracking nick this preseason. I think the real fight is the Eagle's low PPG (highest averaging player in 2025 was McCarthy with 83ppg), but genuinely think Harley goes 90+ this year.

Curtin - Priced at 65, no early bye. Averaged 81 in the second half of last season, is training with the MIDS in preseason and reportedly dominating. Got 50% CBAs in Rnd 20 last year and knocked out 97, can see this rate of CBAs being the norm for him this year. Easy pick IMO.

Langford - Priced at 63, no early bye. Didn't get much of a go in the middle last year but has been tipped to get a run this year with Oliver and Petracca gone. Averaged 107 from 15 games as a midfielder in the Coates Talent League before getting drafted, so clearly can score. If he's one of the main 3 midfielders (Pickett, Viney, Langford? Do Rivers and Windsor get a run in there?) can see him going 85+

Brodie - Priced at 43, no early bye. Averaged 100 from 24 games with Freo in 2022 before losing his spot. Averaged 85ish from 45 games with Peel Thunder in the last 3 years, which is fairly disappointing. Has gone to Port and there's some talk that he'll get games but I just don't see it with Butters, Wines, Drew, Bergman and JHF (when fit) rotating through there. Think this one is wishful thinking - pick him if he is named given his price and easy early run, but I doubt it happens

Yeo/T Kelly - both priced at around 63. Don't think you go there but wanted to list them for completeness. Word is Yeo might be rotating through the backline and Kelly rotating through half-forward, with the midfield rotation being Reid, McCarthy, Hewett and some others (Dev Rob, maybe Jack Graham).

Somehow want to fit Parish, Curtin and Reid in my team lol. Wish Reid had def or fwd status

 

[JDWCE]

Not seeing Callaghan in many teams. Think his trajectory bodes well and starts the season with decent fixtures. I understand he has the bye but he's got the R4 bye which has only Saints and GWS on that bye, then also has the R13 bye which again is only the teams on the bye.

I tihnk we are all going to have to pick bye players or have them slightly spread through our teams with how many are on the bye this year. I see Gulden in 90% of teams. I love him as much as the next man but his bye is a shocker so I have been looking for alternatives. Does Clarry help or hinder Callaghan?

 

[Phteven]

Somehow want to fit Parish, Curtin and Reid in my team lol. Wish Reid had def or fwd status

Curtin out for many months!

 

[happy_eagle]

Not seeing Callaghan in many teams. Think his trajectory bodes well and starts the season with decent fixtures. I understand he has the bye but he's got the R4 bye which has only Saints and GWS on that bye, then also has the R13 bye which again is only the teams on the bye.

I tihnk we are all going to have to pick bye players or have them slightly spread through our teams with how many are on the bye this year. I see Gulden in 90% of teams. I love him as much as the next man but his bye is a shocker so I have been looking for alternatives. Does Clarry help or hinder Callaghan?

Callaghan to me seems like the type who will be a fantastic player, but not a fantasy jet. I also think he may be susceptible to a tag.

He is priced at 100, you'd have to be confident he could raise that to around 110 for that to be a good pick.

 

[Dan12]

I don't remember Callaghan getting tagged last year, but surely he'll be tagged this year?
And he was already a full time mid last year. Is the idea that he'll be full time mid again and just play better?

 

[Exambolor]

Not seeing Callaghan in many teams. Think his trajectory bodes well and starts the season with decent fixtures. I understand he has the bye but he's got the R4 bye which has only Saints and GWS on that bye, then also has the R13 bye which again is only the teams on the bye.

I tihnk we are all going to have to pick bye players or have them slightly spread through our teams with how many are on the bye this year. I see Gulden in 90% of teams. I love him as much as the next man but his bye is a shocker so I have been looking for alternatives. Does Clarry help or hinder Callaghan?

Partially hinder.

Green and Clarry have to be full time mids becuase they can’t play any other position.

Cogs can float forward and play wing and Finn has wing experience

 

[JDWCE]

Callaghan to me seems like the type who will be a fantastic player, but not a fantasy jet. I also think he may be susceptible to a tag.

He is priced at 100, you'd have to be confident he could raise that to around 110 for that to be a good pick.

Yep can see this. I used to think that of him but he started to put it all together last year after a slow start. Seems to be fairly consistent even with tags at the back end of last year and natural progression + 5th year I feel he has it in him. Probably risky starter though

I don't remember Callaghan getting tagged last year, but surely he'll be tagged this year?
And he was already a full time mid last year. Is the idea that he'll be full time mid again and just play better?

He got tagged more as the year went on. Can’t really remember how heavy those tags were though. But yeah, the idea is it’s just natural progression, coming into his prime, Giants potentially ****ing around with it less in the back half, plus slightly faster game with the new ruck rules which should benefit him

Partially hinder.

Green and Clarry have to be full time mids becuase they can’t play any other position.

Cogs can float forward and play wing and Finn has wing experience

I understand what you’re saying but there are 3 starting mids at centre bounces and he’d have a spot sewn up especially with no Kelly for what you’d imagine is most of the season. We shall see if Cogs can even stay on the park. Clarry has done a calf this preseason as well.

All these podcasts of late have been talking transition mids and how they are the ones that are coming into the forefront of midfield scoring - so my thoughts with Callaghan is he is that to a tee

 

[Sonny Hayes]

Not seeing Callaghan in many teams. Think his trajectory bodes well and starts the season with decent fixtures. I understand he has the bye but he's got the R4 bye which has only Saints and GWS on that bye, then also has the R13 bye which again is only the teams on the bye.

I tihnk we are all going to have to pick bye players or have them slightly spread through our teams with how many are on the bye this year. I see Gulden in 90% of teams. I love him as much as the next man but his bye is a shocker so I have been looking for alternatives. Does Clarry help or hinder Callaghan?

I don't mind him as an option depending on how risk adverse you are.

Personally too many red flags for me to go for him.

Tag risk, early bye, role with Clarry added, question marks over how much upside he has in him.

High risk/high reward player, depends on how you like to play the game.

 

[TheGoldenEagle]

I had Curtin in the last 6 or so rounds of last year, and while he pulled some great scores he also had a couple absolute shockers. Even without the injury, I wouldn't put him in as of yet. His last 3 rounds of last year he scored a 55, 76 and a 39. Almost cost me the grand final. Pass.

I am rolling with Parish, Steele, and Walsh at the moment. Followed by Gulden, X.Lindsay and rooks. My midfield and fwd line is weak but my defense is stacked with Newman being my cheapest starter. I will probably downgrade one of my defenders to strengthen my midfield before round 1, and I also will monitor Parish closely in the pre-season to see if he is worth it.

Had Brodie in my lineup when I set my team up on opening day. I'll consider squeezing him back in if it looks like he plays. He is tight with he new coach, right?

Lindsay is a must have. Pretty much best scoring rook last year. When healthy was getting 85-100 easy. Now there is no Oliver or Petracca, making him what, the second to third go-to midfielder in the side? and under 600K..

 

[Balsam]

Lindsay is a must have. Pretty much best scoring rook last year. When healthy was getting 85-100 easy. Now there is no Oliver or Petracca, making him what, the second to third go-to midfielder in the side? and under 600K..

Really?

Played 18 games last year and scored above 85 a total of twice.

Are you saying he was only fit for two games in the season?

 

[BennyFC]

Maybe he's mistaking Lindsay with Langford?

 

[squashface]

Rachele getting some midfield hype on the socials atm

 

[bettingonbetts]

Rachele getting some midfield hype on the socials atm

I’m picking Rach over Lalor if it comes down to it priced only 90k more

 

[JADED]

I’m picking Rach over Lalor if it comes down to it priced only 90k more

Hmm. Lalor is looking incredible so far this pre season.

This popped up again today,
Reminding me I need to rejig my entire side anyway as I don't have NWM.

 

[dplggr47]

Hmm. Lalor is looking incredible so far this pre season.

This popped up again today,
Reminding me I need to rejig my entire side anyway as I don't have NWM.

2 votes N.Wanganeen-Milera...

 

[BennyFC]

What is everyone's thoughts on Will Brodie

23

Will Brodie

Age

27

Ht

190cm

Wt

89kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

19.0

5star

K

8.2

3star

HB

10.8

5star

M

3.1

3star

T

4.9

5star

CL

4.1

5star

D

14.0

3star

K

4.0

1star

HB

10.0

5star

M

3.0

3star

T

1.0

2star

CL

3.0

4star

D

13.8

4star

K

7.4

3star

HB

6.4

4star

M

3.2

4star

T

5.4

5star

CL

2.8

5star

?

I am fully expecting him to line up Rnd 1 and get CBA time (only role he can play) but make way for Ollie Wines when he is back from suspension in Round 3. Do you think it is worth it to pick him for the quick cash grab/scores knowing that he will (likely) be a forced trade in Round 3?

Using the DFS Australia calculator, two scores of 80 will give him a $526,000 ($69,000 rise).

Best case scenario: Keeps his spot when Wines returns, averages 80 and rises $350,000ish.

Realistic scenario: Plays round 1/2, makes $69,000, forced trade Rnd 3. Could maybe fund a mid-pricer to Washcroft/Walsh coming off their bye?

Worst case scenario: Plays round 1/2, but other issues (injuries etc) mean you can't trade in Rnd 3. Potential Sam Taylor

15

Sam Taylor

Age

26

Ht

198cm

Wt

95kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

10.0

3star

K

4.6

2star

HB

5.4

4star

M

3.3

3star

T

2.1

4star

MG

130.5

2star

D

8.0

2star

K

2.5

1star

HB

5.5

3star

M

2.8

3star

T

2.5

3star

MG

60.8

1star

D

8.6

3star

K

3.0

1star

HB

5.6

4star

M

1.2

2star

T

2.8

5star

MG

110.8

2star

situation from last year, rotting on your bench while you deal with other issues.

Do you start him knowing he is a very high risk of being a forced trade?

 

[Barrybran]

What is everyone's thoughts on Will Brodie?

I am fully expecting him to line up Rnd 1 and get CBA time (only role he can play) but make way for Ollie Wines when he is back from suspension in Round 3. Do you think it is worth it to pick him for the quick cash grab/scores knowing that he will (likely) be a forced trade in Round 3?

Using the DFS Australia calculator, two scores of 80 will give him a $526,000 ($69,000 rise).

Best case scenario: Keeps his spot when Wines returns, averages 80 and rises $350,000ish.

Realistic scenario: Plays round 1/2, makes $69,000, forced trade Rnd 3. Could maybe fund a mid-pricer to Washcroft/Walsh coming off their bye?

Worst case scenario: Plays round 1/2, but other issues (injuries etc) mean you can't trade in Rnd 3. Potential Sam Taylor situation from last year, rotting on your bench while you deal with other issues.

Do you start him knowing he is a very high risk of being a forced trade?

What does a rookie have to score to gain $70k in two weeks?

 

[Shaunn]

What is everyone's thoughts on Will Brodie?

I am fully expecting him to line up Rnd 1 and get CBA time (only role he can play) but make way for Ollie Wines when he is back from suspension in Round 3. Do you think it is worth it to pick him for the quick cash grab/scores knowing that he will (likely) be a forced trade in Round 3?

Using the DFS Australia calculator, two scores of 80 will give him a $526,000 ($69,000 rise).

Best case scenario: Keeps his spot when Wines returns, averages 80 and rises $350,000ish.

Realistic scenario: Plays round 1/2, makes $69,000, forced trade Rnd 3. Could maybe fund a mid-pricer to Washcroft/Walsh coming off their bye?

Worst case scenario: Plays round 1/2, but other issues (injuries etc) mean you can't trade in Rnd 3. Potential Sam Taylor situation from last year, rotting on your bench while you deal with other issues.

Do you start him knowing he is a very high risk of being a forced trade?

For me i don't like having planned trades as your point being if someone gets injured then your early season is ****ed.

I still think even if stays in when Wines is back he has enough value still to trade in at that point. Think its just more risk than reward and a better trade in option over starting.

 

[BennyFC]

What does a rookie have to score to gain $70k in two weeks?

Looks like a basement $230k rookie would have to average 56, and Willem Duursma ($350k) would have to average 68

 

[Barrybran]

Looks like a basement $230k rookie would have to average 56, and Willem Duursma ($350k) would have to average 68

Dollars wise, Brodie might be a better option. I think I'd rather get 'stuck' with Duursma though.

 

[BennyFC]

Dollars wise, Brodie might be a better option. I think I'd rather get 'stuck' with Duursma though.

I think I'll go there if he's named Round 1, even if he does lose his spot in Rnd 3 he's provided some good points and a little bit of cashola

The issue will come when Darcy Parish ruptures his patella, Jagga does his ACL, Nic Newman gets syndesmosis and Phillipou strains his spleen in the same round