With the 2022 AFL H&A season set to begin on March 16, @aflratingsPete provides a fantasy outlook for Carlton.
2022 FANTASY RESOURCES
Coach/Game Style
Michael Voss comes in as the new senior coach at Carlton, back in his playing days he was an elite midfielder.
In his recent role at Port Adelaide he was in charge of the midfield group, it is expected he will have a heavy influence through the middle of the ground which could provide plenty of opportunities from a fantasy perspective.
The previous historical team statistics can be thrown out for Carlton, Voss will provide a new team structure and with that will come new data points.
Voss has stated he wants to introduce a “balanced games style”, with an emphasis on getting “hands on the ball first”.
More recently he has stated he wants an “emphasis on the pressure around the ball”.
Referencing back to Port Adelaide, the Power were ranked 2nd in contested possession (2021 H&A season) which may provide an indicator on the type of game style the Blues will be trying to implement.
It certainly lines up with his comments over the last couple of months.
Sam Walsh (25.8) was the only player to average over 25 disposals in 2021.
Carlton Update: 2022 Game Plan
Premium
Sam Walsh ($914kK MID) elevated his game to a new level last year, he averaged 109.0pts from 22 games, he scored 100pts or more in a very strong 72.7% of games.
He has been extremely durable since his debut in 2019, he has not missed a game.
The centre bounce usage for Walsh last year was strong, he was used at a rate of 67.7%.
He is likely to be used at a heavy rate through the midfield again in 2022.
He is arguably appropriately priced to begin the season although there could be further upside available, ownership is likely to remain solid early.
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Value
The scoring has declined for Patrick Cripps ($686K MID) since his career season high 109.3pts back in 2018, lack of midfield support plus injuries have taken a toll.
With a new senior coach and a relatively smooth pre-season thus far, it is hoped Cripps can return to a premium scoring average.
His season average of 81.8pts in 2021 will likely be exceeded with ease if he hits Round 1 without interruption, his salary to begin 2022 offers decent value based on his early career scoring output.
Ownership may only be moderate at this stage, many won’t be willing to take a risk with that amount of money and recent injury history.
Ruck
Mark Pittonet is around but it is time for Tom DeKoning ($507K RUCK) to take ownership of the No.1 Ruck position at Carlton, he is the future at the position and is likely to be a big part of any Carlton move up the ladder.
Having played just 22 games over his career, the 22 year old ruck is entering his prime years as a player at the position.
His scoring output did show some genuine life late in the 2021 season, he could exceed value quite easily if he is given a clear extended run at the No.1 position.
Ownership is quite light presently, many will opt to take experienced and proven ruck types into the season at Round 1.
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2021 AFL Draft
27. Jesse Motlop (Carlton) Fantasy
2022 Fantasy: 2021 AFL Draft Analysis
Newly Acquired
Adam Cerra ($732K MID) joined the Blues in the off-season, his opportunities are likely to be strong through the midfield in 2022.
He averaged 87.3pts from 18 games in 2021, he scored a season high 138pts in Round 20 against Richmond.
There is genuine upside in scoring output based on his starting salary, at 22 years of age and having been in the AFL system for 4 years he should be about to mature as a premium midfielder.
Many may overlook the opportunity available on Cerra.
Don’t Forget About
Key forwards often provide volatile scoring, key forwards with a poor recent injury history add an extreme amount of risk in season long fantasy.
The starting salary for Charlie Curnow is noteworthy, it will provide a generous amount of salary relief for starting squads.
Curnow averaged 71.2pts from 21 games in 2017, he averaged 73.9pts from 20 games in 2018, there is potentially 20-30pts worth of improvement based on his current salary.
Full fitness for the early part of the season will be critical if consideration is to be given to starting with Curnow, a quick rise in salary is likely if he can hit the ground running early in the season.
He doesn’t have to be a long hold, just enough to claim a quick handy profit.
Curnow is clearly best 22 if fully fit, this is high risk but the payoff could be quick & profitable.
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Article by: @aflratingsPete
Player Salaries: AFL Fantasy
2022 FANTASY RESOURCES
