With the 2022 AFL H&A season set to begin on March 16, @aflratingsPete provides a fantasy outlook for Fremantle.
Coach/Game Style
The 2021 season was a year of improvement under senior coach Justin Longmuir, the Dockers recorded 10 wins to finish 11th on the ladder (2020: 12th).
Fremantle Win Pct.
2020: 41.2%
2021: 45.5%
Injuries did impacted heavily again in 2021, a smooth run in 2022 could provide a sharp rise up the ladder this season.
There will be a focus on more efficient ball movement at Fremantle in 2022, Longmuir stated back in October that the team will “open the game up a little bit”.
In 2020 Fremantle were ranked 18th for average Disposals per Inside 50 with 8.2, in 2021 there was improvement to 7.1 Disposals per Inside 50 (7th).
There was movement in the off-season for Fremantle through the midfield, Adam Cerra was traded to Carlton while Will Brodie came in from Gold Coast.
The Dockers also hit the draft bringing in midfielders Neil Erasmus and Matthew Johnson.
The battle for positions in the midfield will be strong the over pre-season.
Andrew Brayshaw (28.4) and David Mundy (25.1) were the only two players to average more than 25.0 Disposals in 2021.
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Premium
Andrew Brayshaw ($875K MID) was strong from a fantasy perspective in 2021, he averaged 104.3pts from 20 games.
He scored 100pts or more in 65.0% of games, he scored 120pts or more in 25.0% of games.
Brayshaw is an integral part of the Fremantle midfield now, his centre bounce usage will likely increase from the 61.3% in the 20 games he played in last year.
He is likely appropriately priced to begin the season, although he did show a decent ceiling last year which provides optimism there could be scoring upside potential in 2022.
Expect ownership to be light at Round 1.
2021 Fantasy: Fremantle Centre Bounces
VALUE
Nathan O’Driscoll ($190K DEF/MID) has been well and truly on the radar for much of the pre-season, he is yet to make his AFL debut.
He was selected at pick 27 in the 2020 AFL Draft by Fremantle, his numbers were elite as a midfielder throughout his junior career.
O’Driscoll averaged 15.0 Disposals, 3.9 Marks & 2.7 Tackles in the WAFL last season.
At the lowest salary available to start the season his ability to exceed value will be strong, he would be a consideration if he’s anywhere near that Fremantle Round 1 team.
Expect high ownership when he makes his AFL debut.
Ruck
Sean Darcy ($786K RUCK) was impacted several times with injury in 2021, he still managed to average 93.9pts from 21 games.
He scored 100pts or more in 42.9% of games which included a season high 133pts in Round 9 against Essendon.
At the age of 23 he should be entering his prime years at the ruck position, he has so far completed a strong pre-season.
There is value based on his starting salary to begin the season, it wouldn’t surprise if he produced something special in 2022.
Expect moderate ownership at Round 1.
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2021 AFL Draft
8. Jye Amiss (Fremantle) FANTASY
10. Neil Erasmus (Fremantle) FANTASY
21. Matthew Johnson (Fremantle) FANTASY
54. Eric Benning (Fremantle) FANTASY
Newly Acquired
Will Brodie ($387K MID/FWD) joined Fremantle in the off-season, he was limited for opportunities in the Gold Coast midfield.
He will be one of a number of players battling for a pure midfield role in 2022, expect his marking ability to be used forward as another option.
His training program has been interrupted recently, keep updated on his status to complete the pre-season.
There is definitely upside scoring potential based on his starting salary at Round 1, a secure midfield role would be preferred for optimal scoring.
Ownership could be moderate to strong when he is named.
Don’t Forget About
Out of necessity Darcy Tucker ($514K DEF) was used in multiple roles last season including out of defence, his scoring was impacted with just an average of 61.3pts from 16 games.
He will be another that is in a battle for midfield opportunities this season at Fremantle, he can be used as an inside and outside mid type with the ability to run with opposition players in a negating role.
There is scoring upside available for Tucker especially if he is used predominantly as an inside midfielder.
Ownership may be light to moderate.
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Article by: @aflratingsPete
Player Salaries: AFL Fantasy
2022 FANTASY RESOURCES
