Flexers - Your Secret Weapon for 2025
The beauty of the AFL Fantasy Draft format is that you don’t need to have the top scoring team every week. You just need to beat your opponents enough times to make finals. Flexers are the perfect tool to have in your toolbox of players to help make this happen.
What Makes a Flexer
Now a Flexer is not to be confused with the perfect player for your “utility position”. Flexers are players that you can play or stream on your field that will add real flexibility to what score your squad is capable of week to week.
These are the players you want to be selecting in your draft when your faced with a sea of “similar” players that you cant decide between.
There are three main types of players that make them a perfect Flexer candidate.
Those with a high floor in their default position and just one injury away from a premium role.
Players eyeing “temporary” positional switches during the year.
Players who dominate specific opponents (matchup specialists).
The Flexers can evolve throughout the season too. Reminder, we get three opportunities during the year for players to gain extra position status. Just know for now, those draft day Flexers might end up being even more valuable than you initially thought.
Flexers aren't just about having multiple positions to their name. It's about knowing exactly when to deploy them. Whether you're streaming against weaker teams or covering unexpected injuries, these are the players that transform good teams into premiership contenders.
When to Draft Your Flexers
Getting the timing right on flexible players can make or break your entire season.
The best time to target your Flexer involves:
Your first bench position for non premium Flexers.
Your first bench position if they are insurance for your injury-prone premium players
If they are one of four people you are looking at drafting in a certain round. Then always choose a potential Flexer over the other three players.
If they are already considered a premium player, than before any other premium player in the same tier.
Potential Flexers Catching Our Eye for AFL Fantasy Draft 2025
Let me run you through the players creating buzz for 2025 as Flexer options.
Luke Jackson: Dual-eligible as forward/ruckman and sits one Sean Darcy injury away from premium status. His baseline forward output makes him relevant even before any Darcy setback. Essential handcuff if you're targeting Darcy as your R1.
James Sicily: Major preseason watch - if he gets forward time and potentially gains forward status mid-year, he could emerge as 2025's flex king when he undoubtley returns to Hawthorns defence later in the season.
Matthew Kennedy: Carrying his 2024 flex dominance into 2025. If he's not in the Bulldogs' initial midfield mix, he's just one injury away from midfield time - a role where he posted strong numbers in 2024 when at Carlton and they lost Docherty, Cerra, and Walsh through their midfield during the season.
Rowan Marshall: Might seem like an unusual inclusion here, but stay with us. Similar to Sicily, he's generating significant preseason buzz. If he gets forward time in the preseason, many will overlook him as an early selection. However, this scenario actually makes him more appealing - getting a Ruck/Forward who's likely to return to being St Kilda's primary ruckman later in the season is gold for your finals.
Charlie Curnow: The ultimate matchup exploiter. When facing weaker defensive units, lock him in. Against stronger backlines, swap him out for a forward with a more favorable matchup that round. He's the perfect Flexer piece to maximize based on weekly opposition.
Ed Richards: He's proven he can score well in midfield, so that's ideal if he plays there. If they start him in defense, even better - he could pick up defender status and be just one injury away from midfield minutes. Should Bailey Dale face any setbacks this year, Richards could transform into an elite defender during the season.
Rory Laird: Another prime candidate for 2025's Flexer king status. Laird finished the last four AFL matches playing off half-back. With Adelaide drafting a ready-to-go midfielder in the 2024 Draft, all signs point to Laird returning to where he built his career - the half-back line. If he gains defender status early while remaining one injury (or one rookie rotation) away from midfield time, we could see premium midfielder scoring from our defensive line at the pointy end of the season.
Wrapping Up Your 2025 Flexer Strategy
Flexibility is the key to fantasy premierships.
Remember, the highest point-scorers don't always deliver premierships. The real advantage comes from building a squad that can handle the chaos of injuries, matchups, and role changes. Flexers help you turn this tide of luck in your favour.
The seasoned campaigners know that while early rounds matter, the real magic happens when you nail those versatile selections capable of being the difference in multiple matchups you have during the year.
This strategy has incredible potential. If you would like a full list of Flexer options sent to you before round 1. Be sure to register to our mailing list at the link below.