With the 2022 AFL H&A season set to begin on March 16, @aflratingsPete provides a fantasy outlook for Brisbane.
2022 Fantasy Resources
Coach/Game Style
Brisbane remained a fast ball movement team in 2021, the Lions averaged 6.3 disposals per inside 50 in the H&A season (Rank 1).
Brisbane were not a high disposal type team last season, the Lions averaged 352.1 disposals in the H&A season (Rank 17).
The Lions were ranked 16th in 2020.
Brisbane have been in premiership contention the last couple of years, unfortunately they have fallen short at the business end of the season.
As a result senior coach Chris Fagan may provide extra responsibility to the younger generation to help them get to the next level.
Brisbane were impacted by injuries in 2021, key forward Eric Hipwood is expected to return from an ACL injury in May.
No player at Brisbane averaged over 30 disposals in 2021, Jarryd Lyons (28.1), Lachie Neale (27.1), Daniel Rich (26.0) & Hugh McCluggage (25.0) all averaged 25.0 disposals or more.
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Premium
Jarryd Lyons ($982K MID) has been a beast as an inside midfielder for Brisbane, he averaged 116.0pts from 24 games in 2021.
He scored 100pts or more in a strong 75.0% of games, he scored 120pts or more in 41.7% of games which was ranked 5th in the AFL.
In games when Lachie Neale didn’t play in 2021 Lyons averaged 116.1pts, in games where Neale played he averaged 116.0pts.
The centre bounce usage is expected to be strong for Lyons again in 2022, he was used at 73.6% in 2021.
The ownership is likely to be thin for Lyons at Round 1, he will be a unique premium option.
Lyons is arguably fully priced to begin the season.
Lachie Neale ($792K MID) had a severely interrupted 2021 season, he averaged 97.4pts from 17 games.
He averaged 117.3pts from his final 4 games of the year.
Neale was used at 58.1% of centre bounces across the season, in games he played in that number jumped significantly to 82.6%.
He will be used heavily at centre bounces again in 2022.
Neale is under-priced based on his historical scoring output, expect very strong ownership at Round 1.
2021 Fantasy: Brisbane Centre Bounces
Value
Zac Bailey has been developing nicely at Brisbane since being drafted back in 2017, he averaged 72.7pts from 24 games in 2021.
He averaged 81.2pts from his final 5 games of the year.
Bailey is likely to see an increase in midfield usage in 2022, he was used at 27.3% of centre bounces last season.
An outside midfield role with centre bounces mixed in would be preferred this season, his scoring output would likely increase if that eventuates.
Ownership may be underweight to start the season for Bailey, his MID/FWD status provides flexibility in your squad.
On The Rise
Cam Rayner is returning from an ACL injury, his scoring hasn’t been noteworthy from a fantasy perspective early in his career.
A move further up the ground would likely result in an increase in scoring output.
Rayner has trimmed down since he last played at AFL level, Dayne Zorko stated that was a requirement to play through the midfield.
There will likely be a considerable amount of forward usage for Rayner in 2022, his scoring output could be volatile as a result.
There is upside scoring potential based on his starting salary, however his ceiling may only be limited.
Ruck
Oscar McInerney averaged 77.5pts from 23 games in 2021, he scored a season high 115pts in Round 15 against Geelong.
He scored 100pts or more in just 8.7% of games.
The Lions have been entertaining a dual ruck set-up to begin the season, this would provide coverage of tall forward options until Eric Hipwood returns.
The scoring likely remains similar for McInerney in 2022, there are other options that will provide a better ROI.
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2021 AFL Draft
16. Darcy Wilmot (Brisbane) Fantasy
20. Kai Lohmann (Brisbane) Fantasy
41. James Tunstill (Brisbane) Fantasy
Newly Acquired
Darcy Fort should be a feature in the Brisbane team early in the year, the Lions have touted forward usage for him to cover for Eric Hipwood.
He is likely to split time at best with Oscar McInerney at the ruck position.
The salary for Fort is interesting if for some reason McInerney was unable to start the season, regardless he should still see playing time early in the year.
Don’t Forget About
Hugh McCluggage has increased his season average in each year of his career, he averaged 100.0pts from 24 games in 2021.
He has been extremely durable over his career.
McCluggage was used at 23.6% of centre bounces in 2021, his role will likely be similar in 2022.
He’s likely appropriately priced to begin the season, ownership is expected to be low.
2022 Fantasy: Adelaide Season Preview
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Article by: @aflratingsPete
Player Salaries: AFL Fantasy
