With the 2022 AFL H&A season set to begin on March 16, @aflratingsPete provides a fantasy outlook for Melbourne.
Coach/Game Style
Melbourne broke their 57 year premiership drought in 2021 with dominating performances, this was no fluke starting from a sustained period of investing in draft talent several years ago all the way through to an elite high performance training program.Â
Melbourne were a strong contested team in 2021 under senior coach Simon Goodwin, they recorded a +11.3 contested possession differential in the H&A season (Rank 2).Â
The Demons relied heavily on the trio of Clayton Oliver, Christian Petracca and Jack Viney at centre bounces last season, Oliver was used at a team high 86.8% of centre bounces.
It is expected all 3 will be used significantly though the middle of the ground again in 2022.
With a healthy list again in 2022 it’s hard not to see Melbourne as a strong contender.Â
Melbourne averaged 368.1 disposals in the 2021 H&A season (Rank 9).Â
Clayton Oliver (31.6), Christian Petracca (29.2) and Christian Salem (25.3) averaged 25 or more disposals in 2021.
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2021 Melbourne Premiership List Build
Premium
Clayton Oliver ($912K MID) was outstanding in 2021 averaging 109.6pts from 25 games. he scored 100pts or more in 72.0% of games.Â
He scored 100pts or more in 36.0% of games.Â
Oliver is a reasonably consistent premium scoring midfielder that can hit ceiling games in optimal conditions, in a season where it appears Melbourne will perform strongly the points could really start to flow from a fantasy perspective.Â
His midfield usage should be high this season which includes centre bounces.
Ownership could be light to moderate to begin the year, he is likely appropriately priced at Round 1.Â
Christian Petracca ($930K MID) keeps elevating his game, the 2022 season should be no different with expected high midfield usage again.Â
He also has the ability to hit the scoreboard.
Petracca averaged 111.5pts from 25 games in 2021, he scored 100pts or more in 68.0% of games and 120pts or more in 32.0% of games.Â
Ownership could be moderate to begin the year, he is likely appropriately priced at Round 1.Â
Value
Jake Bowey ($371K DEF) made a late entrance into the Melbourne team last season and was rewarded with an instant premiership in his first year in the AFL, he should see decent growth opportunities in 2022.
His ability to fit seamlessly into the Melbourne structure was a critical element for success, he was outstanding in crucial moments throughout the finals series including the grand final.Â
There is upside scoring potential based on his 52.1 averaged last season, it’s not likely to be a strong rise but there is consideration based on his starting salary at Round 1.
Ruck
Max Gawn ($911K RUCK) delivered yet another quality year in 2021 which included the strong development of Luke Jackson at times through the ruck position, the ability for Gawn to be utilised with his flexibility over the entire ground is an important aspect of his scoring opportunities.Â
He averaged 110.8pts last season, he scored 100pts or more in 72.0% of games and 120pts or more in 28.0% of games.Â
The ownership for Gawn could be moderate at Round 1, fitting both Gawn and Grundy in to a 30 player player squad will compromise other areas in roster construction however it does provide stability at the ruck position.Â
Gawn is likely appropriately priced at Round 1.
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2021 AFL Draft
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Don’t Forget About
Christian Salem ($779K DEF) is not one to dismiss heading into this season from a fantasy perspective, a full healthy complete season should deliver a strong scoring output.Â
He averaged 94.5pts from 24 games in 2022, that included an average of 107.6pts from his last 5 games of the season.Â
Salem scored 100pts or more in 45.8% of games, he recorded a season high 141pts in Round 6 against Richmond.Â
Ownership could be light to begin the year, there is arguably scoring upside potential based on his Round 1 salary.Â
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Article by: @aflratingsPete
Player Salaries: AFL Fantasy
2022 FANTASY RESOURCES
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