With the 2022 AFL H&A season set to begin on March 16, @aflratingsPete provides a fantasy outlook for Sydney.
Coach/Game Style
The Swans likely surpassed external expectations in 2021, but internally it could be seen as a lost opportunity to advance deeper into the finals series.
Unfortunately injuries started to impact late in the season.
Armed with a faster ball movement game style and quick growth from their younger type players Sydney flew out of the blocks last year, opposition teams will be better prepared as to what to expect in 2022.
Sydney are set up to deliver high speed run off half-back with Nick Blakely and Justin McInerney, that ball movement will certainly suit their key forwards which of course includes Lance Franklin.
Expect a significant amount of growth from their younger type midfielders.
Sydney averaged 374.0 disposals in the 2021 H&A season (Rank 6).
Jake Lloyd (27.9), Luke Parker (27.9) and Callum Mills (26.1) averaged 25 disposals or more in 2021.
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Premium
Callum Mills ($922K MID) played at a high rate through the midfield last season after spending much of his early career off half-back, a late season Achilles injury interrupted his finish to the year which has also provided a slow build up to his pre-season campaign.
His scoring output was strong last year through his midfield role, he is expected to play at a high rate in the middle of the ground again in 2022.
Ownership will likely be low to begin the year, many will wait to see how he performs coming off a slow build up.
The investment is certainly high with potential risk involved, he may be a low owned target throughout the season.
Value
The midfield usage for Isaac Heeney ($639K FWD) is set to increase this season, he’ll likely see an increase at centre bounces as well but overall he’ll spend more time outside forward 50 across the season.
There will be occasions were he is matched up against certain opposition players and it will be favourable to play inside forward 50, this also provides additional scoring opportunities from a fantasy perspective.
Ownership could be moderate to begin the season with other options available at a similar salary.
There is upside scoring potential available based on his starting salary.
Ruck
Tom Hickey ($690K RUCK) begins the season as the No.1 ruck option for the Swans, Peter Ladhams ($610K RUCK/FWD) joined Sydney in the off-season and should see a fair amount of playing time.
Hickey is not a viable option with his ongoing knee issues, Ladhams however would be an option if given a clear run at the No.1 ruck position but that is currently not available.
This is a clear avoid spot to begin the season.
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2021 AFL Draft
18. Angus Sheldrick (Sydney) Fantasy
34. Matthew Roberts (Sydney) Fantasy
40. Corey Warner (Sydney) Fantasy
58. Lachlan Rankine (Sydney) Fantasy
Don’t Forget About
Paddy McCartin ($271K DEF/FWD) looks to have secured a role in defence for the Swans, recently signed via the pre-season Supplemental Selection Period (SSP), the switch to defence appears to suit him well.
His scoring output should be solid enough to easily exceed value, mixing in intercepts marks to keep the scores ticking over from a fantasy perspective.
Ownership is likely to be moderate to strong at Round 1 with very few options available to provide salary relief across the board.
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Article by: @aflratingsPete
Player Salaries: AFL Fantasy
2022 FANTASY RESOURCES
