CBAs Analysis: Round 5, 2025- AFL Fantasy

In AFL Fantasy, Centre Bounce Attendances (CBAs) are one of the most valuable indicators of a player’s role and scoring potential. Each week, changes in CBAs can signal role shifts, coaching adjustments, or evolving team strategies—all of which are crucial for fantasy coaches looking to stay ahead of the game. Each week, I’ll be selecting five key players whose midfield involvement is worth highlighting. For a more detailed breakdown of all the biggest movers, members can access our CBA analysis data tools here.

Will Setterfield

Will Setterfield returned to Essendon’s lineup over the weekend and attended 69% of the CBAs. He played an accountable midfield role, which is typically taken by Sam Durham, but with Jye Caldwell out, Durham was given a bit more freedom. If Elijah Tsatas remains out of the side, there’s definitely room for Setterfield to continue playing through the midfield. Monitor how this midfield mix performs with Caldwell sidelined.

Willem Drew

With Connor Rozee moving to half-back, Willem Drew returned to Port Adelaide’s centre bounce rotations against Hawthorn. He scored 86 points—a small bump from his 70.5 season average leading into the match. He had been playing a wing/midfield hybrid role, but the return to CBAs gives him more chances for clearances and tackles. That added inside time could benefit his scoring.

Sam Draper

Sam Draper saw a spike in centre bounce attendances after Nick Bryan unfortunately suffered a season-ending ACL injury early in the game against Melbourne. If Essendon opts to use Draper as the sole ruck rather than bringing in Todd Goldstein, his scoring could see a notable increase—especially now that he has gained forward status in AFL Fantasy formats and on the industry setting on the Keeper platform, which makes him a far more valuable option given the scarcity of reliable forwards.

Ned Long

After starting as the sub in most of his games this season, Ned Long was finally given a full game in the midfield—and he delivered. He attended 23 centre bounces, racked up 29 disposals, 17 contested possessions, and scored 104 points. Post-game comments from Craig McRae suggest he’s locked into the midfield for the time being. If he’s available, grab him off waivers in your league.

Trent Rivers

Trent Rivers had a quiet CBA presence last week but jumped to 8 centre bounce attendances in Round 5. He’s a player who needs midfield time to be relevant in AFL Fantasy, and the return of Judd McVee might allow that. With Christian Petracca spending more time forward, Rivers may get more midfield opportunities and potentially see a scoring bump in the weeks ahead.

For a full breakdown of the biggest CBA movers this week, be sure to check out the CBA analysis tools available to members.

Preview of Advanced CBA Stats:

Advanced CBA Stats

Key:
LG% – Percentage of CBAs last game
LG%vsPG% – Percentage of CBAs last game versus percentage of CBAs previous game
Avg% – Average of CBA percentage in games played
L3Avg% – Average of CBA percentage over the past three games
LG%vsAvg% – Last game CBA percentage vs average CBA percentage
L3G%vsAvg% – Last three games CBA percentage vs average CBA percentage

Last Round vs Previous Game

Key:
AF – AFL Fantasy points scored last round
TOG% – Percentage of Time On Ground last round
LR – Last Round Centre Bounce Attendances
LR% – Last Round Centre Bounce Attendance Percentage
PGCBA – Previous Game Centre Bounce Attendances
PGCBA% – Previous Game Centre Bounce Attendance Percentage
CBADif – CBA Differential of Last Round vs Previous Round
CBA%Dif – CBA% Differential of Last Round vs Previous Round

CBA% By Round

View more CBA Analysis numbers here.