2022 GWS Giants AFL Fantasy Preview
With the 2022 AFL H&A season set to begin on March 16, @aflratingsPete provides a fantasy outlook for GWS Giants.
Coach/Game Style
After a poor start to the 2021 season the Giants were outstanding making it though to a semi final, injuries impacted heavily at the back end of the season which does provide optimism at the beginning of this season.
Lachie Whitfield is ready to go to start the year, there plenty of forward options available as well as at the ruck position.
Defensively the Giants should be one of the stronger teams in the AFL this season, this has also been a priority in the pre-season from the coaching staff.
The Giants were ranked 10th last year averaging 364.8 disposals in the H&A season.
Tim Taranto (26.5), Jacob Hopper (26.3), Josh Kelly (26.1) & Lachie Whitfield (25.0) all averaged 25 disposals or more in 2021.
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Premium
Lachie Whitfield had a delayed start to his 2021 due to injury, he averaged 95.2pts from 17 games which included a season high 132pts against Essendon in Round 19.
He scored 100pts or more in 47.1% of games.
Whitfield has completed a strong pre-season to this point, it is anticipated he will provide a strong scoring output in 2022.
There is value based on his Round 1 salary, expect strong ownership to begin the year.
Josh Kelly was used forward at times early last season which impacted his scoring output, he averaged 103.5pts from 23 games.
He averaged 109.8pts from his final 17 games of the year which coincided with the return of Lachie Whitefield at Round 7.
Kelly will likely be utilised though the midfield at a high rate this season which should include centre bounce usage as well as being used on the outside.
Ownership could be moderate to begin the year, there is arguably scoring upside potential based on his starting salary.
Value
Stephen Coniglio has been severely impacted by injuries the last 2 years, he will likely see strong midfield usage this year but could shift forward at times with an ability to hit the scoreboard.
Coniglio will likely be highly targeted at Round 1, his DPP status provides crucial flexibility in a year when it will be utilised quite often with roster adjustments.
His Round 1 starting salary offers pretty decent value, his ability to hit ceiling games should be strong through his midfield role.
Ruck
Last year senior coach Leon Cameron preferred starting the recently retired Shane Mumford over Matt Flynn & Kieren Briggs, this same scenario could be played out with the availability of Braydon Preuss in 2022.
The Giants have discussed over the pre-season playing with a dual ruck setup this year which could limit the output for the position.
This could be a very fluid situation all year with decisions potentially based on opposition starting rucks, obtaining certainty prior to Round 1 would be critical if considering Preuss as a starting ruck.
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2021 AFL Draft
3. Finn Callaghan (GWS Giants) Fantasy
15. Leek Aleer (GWS Giants) Fantasy
42. Josh Fahey (GWS Giants) Fantasy
Don’t Forget About
Tom Green is entering his 3rd year in the AFL, his inside contested type style should start to be a feature.
He averaged 69.9pts last season which was impacted by injuries.
Green should see a decent amount of midfield usage this year, he will likely see an increase in centre bounce usage across the season.
There is value based on his Round 1 starting salary, with so many high scoring mids at the Giants he could benefit significantly in optimal scoring conditions.
Ownership will be minimal at Round 1.
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Article by: @aflratingsPete
Player Salaries: AFL Fantasy
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