A-Leagues Fantasy is back for the 2023-24 season! Here are some of the players to look to build your squads around this campaign.
Coaches, it’s time start building your A-Leagues Fantasy teams.
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KEEPUP has you covered with all the best premium and bargain options in both A-League Men and Women Fantasy, along with how some of the fresh faces are stacking up going into the new season.
Premium options
Premiums are the players you essentially build your squad around.
The most expensive players are those predicted to score the highest on average this season, with last season’s remaining top scorers Melbourne City’s Jamie Maclaren and Western United’s Hannah Keane being the priciest to begin the season.
Here are some of the options to look at sprinkling into your squad from the onset.
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A-League Men’s Fantasy Star List
Melbourne City star Maclaren will begin the 2023-24 campaign as A-League Men’s Fantasy’s most expensive player.
The reigning Golden Boot winner comes in at $579,000 this year, following another impressive campaign that saw him become the all-time leading goalscorer in the competition.
He’s followed by Brisbane Roar midfielder Jay O’Shea, who comes in at $545,800 as the game’s most expensive midfielder, while Western Sydney Wanderers attacker Brandon Borrello ($509,300) is the final member of the $500k club.
New Western United signing Daniel Penha ($474,600) and Melbourne City star Mathew Leckie ($458,800) round out the top five.
Western United’s Josh Risdon is the league’s most expensive defender at $397,000 and while not making the top ten, Western Sydney Wanderers goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas is the most expensive shot-stopper at $350,500.
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Here’s the full list of the top 10 most expensive players in A-League Men’s Fantasy to begin the season!
- Jamie Maclaren (MCY) FWD – $579,000
- Jay O’Shea (BRI) MID – $545,800
- Brandon Borrello (WSW) FWD – $509,300
- Daniel Penha (WUN) MID – $474,600
- Mathew Leckie (MCY) FWD – $458,800
- Joe Lolley (SYD) FWD – $450,900
- Ryan Kitto (ADL) DEF – $432,800
- Oskar Zawada (WEL) FWD – $429,100
- Marco Tulio (CCM) FWD- $429,000
- Jake Brimmer (MVC) MID – $410,400
A-League Men Fantasy Five Most Expensive Goalkeepers
- Lawrence Thomas (WSW) GK – $350,500
- Filip Kurto (MAC) GK – $336,200
- Jack Duncan (WEL) GK – $335,200
- Paul Izzo (MVC) GK – $290,000
- Jamie Young (MCY) GK – $273,800
Thomas will likely be a popular selection after winning Goalkeeper of the Year last season off the back of a league best 10 clean sheets. Kurto, Izzo and Young are all solid picks, especially the former given his brilliant save percentage (70.6% last season). Duncan didn’t start in either of Wellington’s Cup games so buyers beware.
A-League Men Fantasy Five Most Expensive Defenders
- Josh Risdon (WUN) DEF – $397,000
- Damien Da Silva (MVC) DEF – $392,600
- Marcelo (WSW) DEF – $386,200
- Jack Clisby (WSW) DEF – $375,200
- Gabriel Cleur (WSW) DEF – $369,100
Western United gun Risdon had a brilliant season last time around and is an easy set and forget option. Da Silva’s second half of the season at Victory was brilliant and should go from strength to strength with a first full pre-season at the club. Wanderers trio Marcelo, Clisby and Cleur had great Fantasy seasons last year, but the latter is currently jostling for the starting right-back position with Aidan Simmons. Clisby’s ability to contribute in the attacking third makes him an intriguing option.
A-League Men Fantasy Five Most Expensive Midfielders
- Jay O’Shea (BRI) MID – $545,800
- Daniel Penha (WUN) MID – $474,600
- Ryan Kitto (ADL) MID – $432,800
- Jake Brimmer (MVC) MID – $410,400
- Florin Berenguer (BRI) MID – $349,200
O’Shea finished last season like a house on fire and comes in as the most expensive midfielder of the lot. Keep an eye on where he plays this season, having lined up as part of a double pivot under Ross Aloisi in the Cup instead of as a ten under caretaker coach Nick Green whom he thrived undr. Penha will be a popular pick if he can recapture his Newcastle best, while Kitto is now classified a midfielder this season after being a defender last year and can score big if he’s given the same license to bomb forward. Brimmer and Berenguer will be curious watches after injury riddled campaigns.
A-League Men Fantasy Five Most Expensive Forwards
- Jamie Maclaren (MCY) FWD – $579,000
- Brandon Borrello (WSW) FWD – $509,300
- Mathew Leckie (MCY) FWD – $458,800
- Joe Lolley (SYD) FWD – $450,900
- Oskar Zawada (WEL) FWD – $429,100
Maclaren is the safe, set and forget option at the pointy end of attack given his track record in the competition. Another strong season all but guarantees a huge output in Fantasy. Just pick him, trust me. Borrello is also a great pick if you opt to go a touch cheaper, especially if he can recapture his best form from the second-half of last season, which is a similar story with Zawada. Leckie is coming into the season under an injury cloud so watch this space, while Lolley should be a strong contributor again.
A-League Women’s Fantasy Star List
American striker Hannah Keane is listed as A-League Women’s Fantasy’s most expensive player, following a brilliant 2022-23 season.
Keane won the Golden Boot with 14 goals to her name last season, helping lead Western United to the Grand Final on the first time of asking.
Canberra United’s Vesna Milivojevic ($483,000) is the second most expensive player while Sydney FC star Cortnee Vine ($478,700), all-time leading Liberty A-League goalscorer Michelle Heyman ($456,900) and new Western United star Grace Maher ($455,300) round out the top five.
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Meanwhile, Glory’s Isabella Foletta is the most expensive defender at $402,300 and despite not making the top ten, Sydney FC’s Jada Whyman is the most expensive goalkeeper at $368,800.
Here’s the full list of the top 10 most expensive players in A-League Women’s Fantasy to begin the season!
Note – Rylee Baisden and Cyera Hintzen are both in the game for now and are in the top 10 most expensive players but haven’t re-signed for Perth Glory this season. Casey Dumont is also still listed in the game for now despite leaving Melbourne Victory, but hasn’t been included in the below list.
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- Hannah Keane (WUN) FWD – $496,100
- Vesna Milivojevic (CAN) MID – $483,000
- Cortnee Vine (SYD) FWD – $478,700
- Michelle Heyman (CAN) FWD – $456,900
- Grace Maher (WUN) MID – $455,300
- Grace Jale (PER) MID – $449,200
- Melina Ayres (NEW) FWD – $434,400
- Isabella Foletta (PER) DEF – $402,300
- Hana Lowry (PER) MID – $402,300
- Rhianna Pollicina (MCY) FWD – $381,100
A-League Women Fantasy Five Most Expensive Goalkeepers
- Jada Whyman (SYD) GK – $368,800
- Chloe Lincoln (CAN) GK – $271,500
- Sarah Langman (CCM) GK – $270,600
- Miranda Templeman (MVC) GK – $265,000
- Sally James (PER) GK) – $261,100
Whyman will be a popular pick after notching up eight clean sheets last season. Lincoln should flourish again at Canberra, while it will be a curious watch to see how Langman and James go at their new homes. Templeman is set to be Victory’s second choice option after the arrival of Lydia Williams over the weekend.
A-League Women Fantasy Five Most Expensive Defenders
- Isabella Foletta (PER) DEF – $402,300
- Tyla-Jay Vlajnic (WUN) DEF – $376,900
- Kayla Morrison (MVC) DEF – $361,200
- Natalie Tobin (SYD) DEF – $354,900
- Michaela Foster (WEL) DEF – $350,300
Foletta finished last season with a flurry, recording some great scores off the back of some brilliant defensive showings. Keep an eye on where Mark Torcaso utilises Vlajnic this season after she played as part of Western’s front three last season. Morrison and Tobin are safe options given how strong Victory and Sydney’s defences are respectively, while Foster is a wildcard. The Wellington full-back registered three assists from defence and scored once too.
A-League Women Fantasy Five Most Expensive Midfielders
- Vesna Milivojevic (CAN) MID – $483,000
- Grace Maher (WUN) MID – $455,300
- Grace Jale (PER) MID – $449,200
- Hana Lowry (PER) MID – $387,300
- Tameka Yallop (BRI) MID – $348,000
Milivojevic tore it up last season, scoring eight goals and tallying three assists, and is a great option to build your midfield around. Her ex-Canberra teammates Maher and Jale are also good picks, but buyers beware with the former given she will more than likely play further back in Western United’s defence, limiting her attacking output and thus, Fantasy. Lowry finished last season strongly and Yallop will be a great pick if she can recapture her best form.
A-League Women Fantasy Five Most Expensive Forwards
- Hannah Keane (WUN) FWD – $496,100
- Cortnee Vine (SYD) FWD – $478,700
- Michelle Heyman (CAN) FWD – $456,900
- Melina Ayres (NEW) FWD – $434,400
- Rhianna Pollicina (MCY) FWD – $381,100
You really can’t go wrong with any of these five options. Keane dominated last season en route to winning the Golden Boot. Vine is fresh off a FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign and will contribute from a goals and assists standpoint. The immortal Heyman has 100 goals in her sights and has shown no signs of slowing down. Ayres lands at a new home in Newcastle and has a Golden Boot calibre season well within her arsenal if she can shrug off her injury riddled history. Similarly to Vine, Pollicina can get it done from a goals and assists standpoint. A wildcard that’s not on the list is Holly McNamara ($373,600). The Matildas attacker will be hoping to string together her first full season and build off her enormous promise this campaign. Keep an eye on her start to the season.
Best of the new signings?
A-League Men
Western United’s Daniel Penha is the most expensive new arrival this season, coming in at $474,600. The Brazilian attacking midfielder tore up the A-Leagues in the 2021-22 season with Newcastle Jets, leading the competition in assists with 11 to go with four goals.
Melbourne City’s new midfield duo Tolgay Arslan and Hamza Sakhi are both worth $348,000 each heading into the new season. Both players have impressed in City’s Australia Cup run, with Arslan scoring four goals in three games and looks set to be their designated penalty taker – which is only good news for coaches.
Their teammate Aziz Behich is also worth $348,000 and could be the perfect option for coaches. Full-backs who get involved in attacking phases tend to score higher in A-Leagues Fantasy and Behich’s ability to bomb on and offer support going forward is his great strength.
Former City midfielder Florin Berenguer is a touch more expensive at $349,200 and looks set to play a key role in Brisbane Roar’s midfield. The Frenchman had a difficult last campaign as he battled form and injury concerns, but will be looking to return to his brilliant best at his new home.
Meanwhile, in attack, three new arrivals Alou Kuol, Valere Germain and Marcus Antonsson are all priced at $348,000 and look like great options for coaches given they will most likely start from the onset. Antonsson has been particularly impressive this pre-season, scoring a double in his starting debut for Western Sydney Wanderers, while Kuol fired home a goal in Central Coast Mariners’ defeat to Sydney FC.
Some of the other notable new signings are Jamie Young ($273,300), Samuel Souprayen ($261,000), Riku Danzaki ($165,300), Marin Jakolis ($261,000), Daniel Arzani ($254,800) and Lachlan Brook ($203,500).
A-League Women
Matilda and returning Brisbane Roar star Tameka Yallop headlines the new faces in A-League Women’s Fantasy this year and looks set to be a popular selection among coaches. Yallop is worth $348,000, which makes her the fifth most expensive midfielder this season.
New Western United signing Grace Maher comes in at $455,300 after a brilliant season with Canberra United. However, Maher may play further back as part of Western’s defensive unit this season, which is one to keep in mind.
Melina Ayres has swapped Melbourne Victory’s navy blue for Newcastle Jets gold this season and looms as another intriguing option in attack at $434,400. Ayres was brilliant last campaign, scoring 12 goals in 13 appearances for Victory. Injury issues have plagued her last two seasons, but she’s been dynamite every time she’s stepped foot on the park.
Shea Connors is another fascinating attacking option this season, after joining Sydney FC from Brisbane Roar. The American striker is worth $348,100 and finished last season strongly, scoring four of her six goals in March.
Meanwhile, new arrivals Isobel Dalton, Millie Farrow, Lorrena Bauman and Vicky Bruce all come into the season at $348,000 and new Melbourne Victory midfielder Rachel Lowe is worth $251,800.
While not technically a new signing, Western United’s Chloe Logarzo ($293,700) is set to play her first games as a permanent member of Mark Torcaso’s squad this year after a wretched run with injury.
Returning Melbourne City star Rebekah Stott, Canadian international Lysianne Proulx and new Brisbane Roar defender Leah Scarpelli are all $203,500, while NPLW Victoria Golden Boot winner Kurea Okino comes in at $165,300 ahead of her first season with Melbourne Victory.
Diamonds in the rough?
There are a few options in both A-League Men’s and Women’s Fantasy that may slip through the cracks of coaches who aren’t privvy to stars dropping in price this season.
Some of these players are stars who either suffered from injury or a difficult season and have diminished in starting value, while others are well and truly diamonds in the rough on the brink of a breakout season.
Here’s a few of those options.
A-League Men
Ulises Davila ($281,100) looms as a popular pick in midfield for coaches. His price has dropped heavily after a knee injury ended his 2022-23 season prematurely, but the Mexican attacking midfielder looks primed to bounce back this campaign.
Perth Glory’s Adam Taggart ($299,400) and Western United’s Aleksandar Prijovic ($296,600) are worth a look up top, as they have big seasons well within their kitbag, as does Adelaide target man Hiroshi Ibusuki ($280,500) and Western’s Noah Botic ($246,300).
Nestory Irankunda ($234,800) is another to keep on the watch list, especially if he works his way into the starting lineup this season.
Western United’s Ben Garuccio ($276,900) has big scores in his arsenal as well, while Joe Gauci ($262,900) is a fascinating option in goals.
A-League Women
2021-22 Julie Dolan Medallist Fiona Worts ($224,500) stands out immediately, especially if she can return to her best in her new colours at Sydney FC.
Melbourne City Player of the Season Julia Grosso ($263,300) is another to keep an eye on in midfield.
Her City teammate Daniela Galic ($242,300) started last season on fire and expect her to score heavily if she continues on the same upwards trajectory, while Adelaide’s Dylan Holmes ($241,900) will be looking to put together a solid season.
Western United’s Alana Cerne ($239,600) and Adelaide’s Maruschka Waldus ($256,700) are great defensive options, and Analee Grove ($241,500) stands out among keepers.
Best bargains?
Sometimes the best bits of Fantasy gold are found in the deep recesses’ of the player research page.
There are a host of players in both A-League Men and Women Fantasy worth under $200k, who could appeal to coaches this season as they look to construct a squad within the constraints of their $4,000,000 salary cap.
Importantly, their prices are set to rise as the season goes on due to the lower predicted scores and breakevens they come into the season with.
There are a bucket load of great options, so here’s a list of the best in each position.
A-League Men
Goalkeepers: Coaches are spoiled for choice this season when selecting bargain priced goalkeepers, with a host of potential number one options looming under $200K. Chief among them are Thomas Heward Belle and Ryan Scott who have both joined Western United and Newcastle Jets respectively. The duo have been the first choice options so far this pre-season and start the season priced at $155,100 each. Meanwhile, Wellington Phoenix’s Alex Paulsen is another option at the same price who stood out in their Australia Cup matches against Peninsula Power and Melbourne City.
Defenders: Central Coast’s Dan Hall ($198,700), Melbourne City’s Callum Talbot ($197,800) and Adelaide’s Alexandar Popovic ($195,400) are all in the mix to feature regularly this season, as is Nuno Reis at $166,100. Newcastle’s Phillip Cancar ($165,300) looks set to get first crack in the heart of the Jets defence this season, while Perth’s Daryl Lachman and Mariners full-back Noah Smith other other options at the same price. Wellington’s Lukas Kelly-Heald ($150,700) has started in both of their Australia Cup contests and looks set to be a lock if he can hold his spot in the team.
Midfielders: At exactly $200K is Mariners’ Christian Theoharous, who will be hoping to build off a promising second-half of the season with the reigning champions. Macarthur’s Jed Drew and ($192,000) and Perth’s Giordano Colli ($185,500) have goals and assists in their kitbag and could be great players to compliment your premium midfielders. Western United’s Sebastian Pasquali ($170,900) has seen plenty of minutes in the Cup, while his teammate Danzaki ($165,300) looks set to be a popular option among coaches. Youngsters Jake Girdwood-Reich ($165,300), Mohamed Al-Taay ($165,300), Jonny Yull ($155,100), Corey Hollman ($155,100), Clayton Taylor ($155,100) and Giuseppe Bovalina ($150,700) are also players to keep an eye on after featuring heavily in the Australia Cup.
Forwards: Veteran Wellington duo Kosta Barbarouses (191,900) and David Ball ($187,800) shape as great cut-price options should they start the season strongly. Young trio Archie Goodwin ($183,900), Nishan Velupillay ($180,400) and Bernardo Oliveira ($165,300) are worth a look if they can break into the XI early – particularly the latter in wake of Craig Goodwin’s departure, as are former City duo Stefan Colakovski ($155,100) and Raphael Borges Rodrigues ($155,100). Brisbane Roar’s Thomas Waddingham ($150,700) looms as a popular pick after starting up front in both of their Australia Cup matches and scoring in their wins over Sydney United 58 and Western Sydney Wanderers. Others to watch is Sydney FC’s Patrick Wood ($165,300) – especially if he can hold off new signing Fabio Gomes – Michael Ruhs ($165,300), Jing Reec ($155,100), Lachlan Bayliss ($155,100) and Daniel Bennie ($150,700).
A-League Women
Goalkeepers: Not too many starting options under $200K in A-League Women’s Fantasy this season, but Western Sydney Wanderers’ Sham Khamis ($195,800) looms as a potential pickup, depending on whether she can nudge ahead of new signing Kaylie Collins to secure the number one jersey. Keeley Richards ($165,300) is another, should she also win the number one jersey at Brisbane Roar, while keep your eye on Western United’s Alyssa Dall’Oste ($155,100) if Mark Torcaso’s side don’t sign a Hillary Beall replacement.
Defenders: Melbourne Victory’s Jessika Nash ($182,000) and Emma Checker ($165,300) look set to play key roles for Jeff Hopkins’ side this season. New Brisbane Roar duo Jenna McCormick ($165,300) and Chelsea Blissett ($165,300) are also options, along with Wanderers’ Alexia Apostolakis ($195,800) City’s Naomi Chinnama ($165,300) and Canberra’s Emily Ilijoski ($165,300). However, Newcastle Jets signing Claudia Cicco ($165,300) looks primed for a breakout season after an impressive campaign with NPLW NSW champions APIA Leichhardt Tigers, while Peta Trimis ($150,700) is a promising young player on the books of Central Coast Mariners. City’s Karly Roestbakken ($155,100) is one to keep an eye on if she can finally overcome a horrid run of injuries.
Midfielders: Adelaide’s Emilia Murray ($150,700) and new Canberra signing Mary Stanic-Floody ($155,100) are two options to consider given the added scope the duo should get this season. Perth Glory duo Susan Phonsongkham and Sofia Sakalis (both $165,300) had impressive NPL seasons, while Sienna Saveska ($165,300) has made the switch to Sydney FC. Matilda Elise Kellond-Knight ($189,300) is another for down the track, depending on how quickly she recovers from a torn Achilles tendon.
Forwards: New Adelaide United and Melbourne Victory signings Alana Jancevski ($174,100) and Kurea Okino ($165,300) will look to translate their NPL form onto the big stage at their new club. Jancevski showed promise in her last two seasons at Perth Glory, while Okino won the Golden Boot in Victoria for Boroondara Eagles with a whopping 31 goals. Western United duo Kahli Johnson ($180,200) and Catherine Zimmerman ($169,700) should be in the mix for starting roles this season. Rola Badawiya and Annalise Rasmussen (both $165,300) are
