Live footy with stats was back, Fantasy coaches were glued to the screen gathering the last information on offer before the AFL Season kicks off. Some sides felt like full dress rehearsals whilst others have one eye open towards Opening Round this week. How do we decipher what is real and what is not? We recruit special guest DT Lemon, 3 x hat winner and top 400 finisher 5 years running to help set you up for the AFL Fantasy Season!

In this episode, Holmesy, Lewy and Lemon discuss all 9 practice matches in-depth, talking stocks up and stocks down. This episode is always one of our biggest for the year and it is super crucial to ensure coaches have all of the information necessary to make informed decisions around their starting squads. The 2026 AFL Fantasy season is just days away!

PODPOD Challenge - Join the community!

League code: JXR8EF6M

Ask me on Qu

 * Podpodafl has once again partnered with Qu platforms in 2026 to help answer your afl fantasy questions
 * During the season - Selby and Holmesy will be recording a podcast late in the week to answer general questions and themes
 * For a guaranteed answer and to help support the PODPOD, for a small fee you have  the ability to have a personalised audio response to your afl fantasy questions
 * There is the ability for full team reviews, questions on individual players and during the season there is the ability to ask trade questions, vc/c options and many more
 * Head to https://askmeonqu.com/podpodafl now!

The PODPOD is brought to you by Moreira’s Magic in 2026. All Holmes Files episodes will be available exclusively as a part of the 2026 Season Guide. As well as the podcasts, the Season Guide will also include:

 * Player profiles and comments for all players in the AFL
 * Best 22’s from the MM team
 * Draft rankings
 * DVP
 * Strength of schedule
 * Market Share
 * Podcasts with Selby and Xavier Ellis
 * Holmes Files episodes exclusive to the guide
 * Much much more!

The guide is now live! A must have for any serious Fantasy coach head over to moreirasmagic.com.au/ [http://moreirasmagic.com.au/membership] to order now! The guide will be updated right up until the start of round 1 and the in-season content begins

Follow us on X:

The PODPOD: @podpodAFL

Holmesy: @Holmesysheroes

Lewy: @AFLewy

Harmey: @jonharmey

Sam: @grillis03

Jordy: @jordandsena

Dossy: @HKdos

Community Series Review Ft DT Lemon #PODPOD

The tripods were out, legends were taking stats as Fantasy coaches dive into the unofficial practice matches to see which players they would like to select in their starting squads. Although we say every year that we need to be cautious with what data we extract from these games, it was good to just have footy back!

In this episode, the panel does stocks up and stocks down with every match that was played last week. Which players have increased their value and which ones have dropped off? Find out what the boys think and more!

The PODPOD is brought to you by Moreira’s Magic in 2026. All Holmes Files episodes will be available exclusively as a part of the 2026 Season Guide. As well as the podcasts, the Season Guide will also include:

 * Player profiles and comments for all players in the AFL
 * Best 22’s from the MM team
 * Draft rankings
 * DVP
 * Strength of schedule
 * Market Share
 * Podcasts with Selby and Xavier Ellis
 * Holmes Files episodes exclusive to the guide
 * Much much more!

The guide is now live! A must have for any serious Fantasy coach head over to moreirasmagic.com.au/ [http://moreirasmagic.com.au/membership] to order now! The guide will be  updated right up until the start of round 1 and the in-season content begins

PODPOD Challenge

League code: JXR8EF6M

Ask me on Qu

 * Podpodafl has once again partnered with Qu platforms in 2026 to help answer your afl fantasy questions
 * During the season - Selby and Holmesy will be recording a podcast late in the week to answer general questions and themes
 * For a guaranteed answer and to help support the PODPOD, for a small fee you have  the ability to have a personalised audio response to your afl fantasy questions
 * There is the ability for full team reviews, questions on individual players and during the season there is the ability to ask trade questions, vc/c options and many more
 * Head to https://askmeonqu.com/podpodafl now!

Follow us on X:

The PODPOD: @podpodAFL

Holmesy: @Holmesysheroes

Lewy: @AFLewy

Harmey: @jonharmey

Dos: @HKdos

Sam: @grillis03

Jordy: @jordandsena

Dossy: @HKdos

Unofficial Practice Matches Stocks up and Stocks Down! #PODPOD

Live footy is back, unofficial practice matches are here and Opening Round is just around the corner! For months we have been researching players, looking at structures and building our AFL Fantasy squads. Today we get a look behind the curtains and get an official team reveal from Lewy who consistently finds himself at the top of the rankings!

In this episode, the panel starts with all of the hot topics that have emerged since the last podcast recording. They then go through line by line for Lewy’s team reveal, with Lewy giving in-depth knowledge on every player he has selected whilst Holmesy and Harmey quiz him on players who have missed out and the key structural questions. Lastly, the listener questions are back in 2026 so the boys dust them off and answer a bunch that weren’t answered throughout the podcast!

The PODPOD is brought to you by Moreira’s Magic in 2026. All Holmes Files episodes will be available exclusively as a part of the 2026 Season Guide. As well as the podcasts, the Season Guide will also include:

 * Player profiles and comments for all players in the AFL
 * Best 22’s from the MM team
 * Draft rankings
 * DVP
 * Strength of schedule
 * Market Share
 * Podcasts with Selby and Xavier Ellis
 * Holmes Files episodes exclusive to the guide
 * Much much more!

The guide is now live! A must have for any serious Fantasy coach head over to moreirasmagic.com.au/ [http://moreirasmagic.com.au/membership] to order now! The guide will be  updated right up until the start of round 1 and the in-season content begins

PODPOD Challenge

League code: JXR8EF6M

Ask me on Qu

 * Podpodafl has once again partnered with Qu platforms in 2026 to help answer your afl fantasy questions
 * During the season - Selby and Holmesy will be recording a podcast late in the week to answer general questions and themes
 * For a guaranteed answer and to help support the PODPOD, for a small fee you have  the ability to have a personalised audio response to your afl fantasy questions
 * There is the ability for full team reviews, questions on individual players and during the season there is the ability to ask trade questions, vc/c options and many more
 * Head to https://askmeonqu.com/podpodafl now!

Follow us on X:

The PODPOD: @podpodAFL

Holmesy: @Holmesysheroes

Lewy: @AFLewy

Harmey: @jonharmey

Dos: @HKdos

Sam: @grillis03

Jordy: @jordandsena

Dossy: @HKdos

Lewy’s TEAM REVEAL! #PODPOD

Forwards forwards forwards… Every year we lose the gun mids with forward status yet, we are usually left with some solid value.. This year however, it feels the trickiest it has been to nail down 6 starting options that we are comfortable with in our starting squads.. To Sheez or not to Sheez? Can we pay up for premiums with an early bye? How many mid-pricers is too many? All this and more on the podcast this week!

In this episode, the panel discusses everything you need to know in terms of the forward line. Lewy reveals his projected top 6 and the boys discuss who we can consider starting, the breakout guys are discussed in length as well as all the mid-priced guys who we may need to consider if the forward rookies don’t present. We deliberately left this position until last to analyse to provide as much up to date information as possible, so this is not one to miss!

The PODPOD is brought to you by Moreira’s Magic in 2026. All Holmes Files episodes will be available exclusively as a part of the 2026 Season Guide. As well as the podcasts, the Season Guide will also include:

 * Player profiles and comments for all players in the AFL
 * Best 22’s from the MM team
 * Draft rankings
 * DVP
 * Strength of schedule
 * Market Share
 * Podcasts with Selby and Xavier Ellis
 * Holmes Files episodes exclusive to the guide
 * Much much more!

The guide is now live! A must have for any serious Fantasy coach head over to moreirasmagic.com.au/ [http://moreirasmagic.com.au/membership] to order now! The guide will be  updated right up until the start of round 1 and the in-season content begins

Follow us on X:

The PODPOD: @podpodAFL

Holmesy: @Holmesysheroes

Lewy: @AFLewy

Harmey: @jonharmey

Dos: @HKdos

Sam: @grillis03

Jordy: @jordandsena

Dossy: @HKdos

FORWARDS! - Top 6, Breakout Contenders and Mid-Priced Value! #PODPOD

Honestly, what the ruck? Every year the rucks are one of the hardest lines to select in our AFL Fantasy starting squads. Jordy wants to “set and forget,” Lewy likes the idea of paying up for one and then finding value and Harmey genuinely has no idea where he wants to go. Come and join us as we talk all things rucks!

In this episode, the panel discusses everything you need to know in terms of the ruck line. The lads discuss strategy and structure and whether you can or should pay up in the top tier with the impending ruck rule changes. They discuss allllllll relevant options they believe should be considered whilst chatting about whether it is viable to start a red dot rookie at R3. The decisions here will shape what money you have left to spend in other lines and is crucial in finding the balance that will set you up for success!

The PODPOD is brought to you by Moreira’s Magic in 2026. All Holmes Files episodes will be available exclusively as a part of the 2026 Season Guide. As well as the podcasts, the Season Guide will also include:

 * Player profiles and comments for all players in the AFL
 * Best 22’s from the MM team
 * Draft rankings
 * DVP
 * Strength of schedule
 * Market Share
 * Podcasts with Selby and Xavier Ellis
 * Much much more!

The guide is now live! A must have for any serious Fantasy coach head over to moreirasmagic.com.au/ [http://moreirasmagic.com.au/membership] to order now! The guide will be  updated right up until the start of round 1 and the in-season content begins

Follow us on X:

The PODPOD: @podpodAFL

Holmesy: @Holmesysheroes

Lewy: @AFLewy

Harmey: @jonharmey

Dos: @HKdos

Sam: @grillis03

Jordy: @jordandsena

Dossy: @HKdos

RUCKS! - Strategy and Structure, Top-Tier and Value! #PODPOD

It seems as though the midfield line is the last line being filled in our fantasy sides this year, with value presenting in defence and then the decisions to be made around the forwards and rucks. Some coaches are spending up in the mids, whilst others are looking at potentially 4 rookies on field! How you structure up will be crucial for success in AFL Fantasy this year! Don’t worry, the lads talk through strategy and structure as well as all of the relevant starting options in the midfield!

In this episode, the panel discusses everything you need to know in terms of the midfield line. Jordy gives who he thinks are the top 8 averaging midfielders broken down by tiers, the panel discusses the top end premiums who they believe still present upside, under-priced premiums who can hopefully take the next step and score in-line with the top 8 and then discuss a whole bunch of listener requests.

The PODPOD is brought to you by Moreira’s Magic in 2026. All Holmes Files episodes will be available exclusively as a part of the 2026 Season Guide. As well as the podcasts, the Season Guide will also include:

 * Player profiles and comments for all players in the AFL
 * Best 22’s from the MM team
 * Draft rankings
 * DVP
 * Strength of schedule
 * Market Share
 * Podcasts with Selby and Xavier Ellis
 * Much much more!

The guide is now live! A must have for any serious Fantasy coach head over to moreirasmagic.com.au/ [http://moreirasmagic.com.au/membership] to order now! The guide will be  updated right up until the start of round 1 and the in-season content begins

Follow us on X:

The PODPOD: @podpodAFL

Holmesy: @Holmesyheroes

Lewy: @AFLewy

Harmey: @jonharmey

Dos: @HKdos

Sam: @grillis03

Jordy: @jordandsena

Dossy: @HKdos

MIDFIELDERS! - Top 8, Value Premiums and Mid-Pricers! #PODPOD

Is the defensive line going to be one of the trickier lines to pick this year? It always seems that the top end defenders are fairly or over-priced, but with so many top end premiums having an early bye to start 2026, how will you go about picking players in your defensive line?

In this episode, the panel discusses everything you need to know in terms of the defensive line. Harmey gives who he thinks are the top 6 (15) averaging defenders, the panel discusses the top end premiums who they believe still present upside, under-priced premiums who can hopefully take the next step and score in-line with the top 6 and then discuss a whole bunch of listener requests.

The PODPOD is brought to you by Moreira’s Magic in 2026. All Holmes Files episodes will be available exclusively as a part of the 2026 Season Guide. As well as the podcasts, the Season Guide will also include:

 * Player profiles and comments for all players in the AFL
 * Best 22’s from the MM team
 * Draft rankings
 * DVP
 * Strength of schedule
 * Market Share
 * Podcasts with Selby and Xavier Ellis
 * Much much more!

Head over to moreirasmagic.com.au/membership [http://moreirasmagic.com.au/membership] to pre-order now - the guide will be released early January and updated right up until the start of round 1

Follow us on X:

The PODPOD: @podpodAFL

Holmesy: @Holmesyheroes

Lewy: @LewyAF

Harmey: @jonharmey

Dos: @HKdos

Sam: @grillis03

Jordy: @jordandsena

Dossy: @HKdos

DEFENDERS - Top 6, Value Premiums and Mid-Pricers! #PODPOD

Keen to learn more about AFL Fantasy and put some context around why particular players score the way they do? This podcast is for you! Market share in an AFL Fantasy context is untapped research that will help you better link a players’ scoring to their teams overall points. This was crucial in helping Holmesy finish 2nd in 2025 and he is sharing the info with you!

In this episode, Holmesy is joined by Rowan from The AFL Fantasy Market Place. They start by discussing market share, why it is important and how it can help add context to a players’ scoring. They then deep dive on all the key stats of each team to help you find an edge for your starting squads in 2026. If you enjoy Fantasy Footy and love your content, this one is a ripper! For more in-depth research you can follow Rowan on X @RowanTAFM

The PODPOD is brought to you by Moreira’s Magic in 2026. All Holmes Files episodes will be available exclusively as a part of the 2026 Season Guide. As well as the podcasts, the Season Guide will also include:

 * Player profiles and comments for all players in the AFL
 * Best 22’s from the MM team
 * Draft rankings
 * DVP
 * Strength of schedule
 * Market Share
 * Podcasts with Selby and Xavier Ellis
 * Much much more!

Head over to moreirasmagic.com.au/membership [http://moreirasmagic.com.au/membership] to pre-order now - the guide will be released early January and updated right up until the start of round 1

Follow us on X:

The PODPOD: @podpodAFL

Holmesy: @Holmesyheroes

Lewy: @LewyAF

Harmey: @jonharmey

Sam: @grillis03

Jordy: @jordandsena

Bonus Episode! - Market Share Analysis and AFL Fantasy Statistics with Rowan #PODPOD

Season 2025 has been and gone, with mixed results from the panel. Whether you were Holmesy who finished the competition in 2nd, or Harmey who finished in the Dossy ranks outside 10k, there are many lessons to be learned to help improve moving into 2026. On this episode, the lads bring learnings from 2025 as well as answer listener questions to help ensure we are all better Fantasy coaches in 2026.

The PODPOD is brought to you by Moreira’s Magic in 2026. All Holmes Files episodes will be available exclusively as a part of the 2026 Season Guide. As well as the podcasts, the Season Guide will also include:

 * Player profiles and comments for all players in the AFL
 * Best 22’s from the MM team
 * Draft rankings
 * DVP
 * Strength of schedule
 * Podcasts with Selby and Xavier Ellis

Head over to moreirasmagic.com.au/membership [http://moreirasmagic.com.au/membership] to pre-order now - the guide will be released early January and updated right up until the start of round 1

Follow us on X:

The PODPOD: @podpodAFL

Holmesy: @Holmesyheroes

Lewy: @LewyAF

Harmey: @jonharmey

Dos: @HKdos

Sam: @grillis03

Jordy: @jordandsena

Key Learnings from AFL Fantasy in 2025 #PODPOD

The Holmes Files is an in-depth strategy podcast where Holmesy interviews some of the brightest minds in the AFL Fantasy Community. Holmesy starts big, chatting with Kyerin Grundy who was the unofficial winner in 2025, before finding out after the comp was finished that he was ineligible for the hilux due to being the brother of the Ruck Pig Brodie Grundy.

On this episode, Kyerin tells his story and reviews his epic 2025 season where he would end up as the #1 coach. The boys discuss starting squad philosophy, trades to win you the comp and much much more! This is a must listen for any coach who wants to compete at the top end!

The PODPOD is brought to you by Moreira’s Magic in 2026. All Holmes Files episodes will be available exclusively as a part of the 2026 Season Guide. As well as the podcasts, the Season Guide will also include:

 * Player profiles and comments for all players in the AFL
 * Best 22’s from the MM team
 * Draft rankings
 * DVP
 * Strength of schedule
 * Podcasts with Selby and Xavier Ellis

Head over to moreirasmagic.com.au/membership [http://moreirasmagic.com.au/membership] to pre-order now - the guide will be released early January and updated right up until the start of round 1

Follow us on X:

The PODPOD: @podpodAFL

Holmesy: @Holmesyheroes

Lewy: @LewyAF

Harmey: @jonharmey

Dos: @HKdos

Sam: @grillis03

Jordy: @jordandsena

The Holmes Files - Season Winning Strategies with Kyerin Grundy #PODPOD

Join Holmesy, Lewy, Harmey and guests for a refreshing take on AFL Fantasy Classic, navigating all the hottest topics, strategies, trade options and team-tinkering across the fantasy footy season.

Holmesy

Shows