With the 2022 AFL H&A season set to begin on March 16, @aflratingsPete provides a fantasy outlook for Gold Coast.
Coach/Game Style
Gold Coast were not a strong scoring team in 2021 averaging just 65.0pts (Rank 18) across the year, the loss of Ben King with an ACL injury prior to the start of this season impacts the team heavily.
The development of the list under Stuart Dew has taken time, several key injuries throughout his time as senior coach have restricted wins.
There were significant signs of growth last season with a few crucial wins away from Metricon Stadium, the midfield is starting to mature and with the return of Jarrod Witts at the ruck position positive outcomes at stoppage situations should start to increase.
Expect significant growth in contested situations as the list continues to mature this season.
Gold Coast were not a high disposal team in 2021, they averaged 356.8 disposals per game across the H&A season (Rank 12).
Touk Miller (31.8) was the only player to record 25 Disposals or more in 2021.
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Premium
Touk Miller ($1.02M MID) was able to take his game to a new level in 2021, he averaged 122.1 points from 21 games which included a season high 160pts against Hawthorn in Round 11.
He scored 100pts or more in 81.0% of games and 120pts or more in a whopping 61.9% of games.
Miller was used at 78.6% of centre bounces in games he played in last season, expect high centre bounce usage again in 2022.
The salary for Miller to begin the season is extreme, but the benefit will be the ceiling games he provides with what should be moderate to low ownership early in the year.
Value
Matt Rowell ($464K MID) has been unable to find any type of consistency in his game due to injuries early in his career, the former No.1 draft pick has played just 17 games which included 11 consecutive games to finish off the 2021 season coming off a knee injury.
He was used at 57.7% of centre bounces in his final 11 games of the 2021 season, he averaged 58.8pts over the same period.
Rowell is expected to be used at a decent rate at centre bounces and at stoppages throughout the 2022 season.
His salary represents strong value for a player that can win plenty of ball in contested situations combined with what should be a high rate of opportunities.
Expect ownership to be moderate to strong to begin the year.
Elijah Hollands ($190K MID/FWD) did not make his AFL debut in 2021 with Gold Coast content on a full rehabilitation of his knee injury which occurred back in his draft year of 2020.
He averaged 17.7 Disposals, 3.0 Marks & 4.0 Tackles from 3 games in the VFL in 2021.
Hollands will provide flexibility which could see him used through a midfield/forward role or even with his excellent delivery across half-back if required.
He should easily exceed value based on his Round 1 starting salary, expect strong ownership when he makes his AFL debut.
Ruck
Jarrod Witts ($572K RUCK) is coming off a season ending ACL injury in Round 3 last year, he is expected at this stage to be available from Round 1 of the 2022 AFL season.
Witts is not a player that relies heavily on a high rate of disposals for optimal scoring, he ranks highly in the category of hit outs.
Based on his historical scoring output there is considerable value for Witts at Round 1, he should exceed value.
For those looking for salary relief Witts is an option but the risk of not returning back to his best coming off an ACL needs to be acknowledged, expect moderate to strong ownership.
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2021 AFL Draft
5. Mac Andrew (Gold Coast ) Fantasy
63. Charlie Constable (Gold Coast) Fantasy
Newly Acquired
Keep an eye on James Tsitas ($190K MID), he was signed by Gold Coast via the pre-season Supplemental Selection Period (SSP).
He averaged 28.6 Disposals, 4.0 Marks & 5.6 Tackles in the SANFL last season.
Tsitas is rock bottom salary and should exceed value quite easily if can find his way into the Gold Coast team.
Don’t Forget About
After signing a long term deal Rory Atkins ($350K MID) struggled with injury in his first season at Gold Coast, he managed very little game time in 2021 which delivered a low scoring output.
Based on his historical scoring output Atkins does offer value based on his starting salary but his position in the team needs to be absolutely secure, additionally there may be better ROI opportunities below his salary range.
Competition for spots will be strong at Gold Coast early in the season, Atkins will be in the the mix after a strong pre-season.
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Article by: @aflratingsPete
Player Salaries: AFL Fantasy
2022 FANTASY RESOURCES
