Howdy all and welcome to my team preview for 2022. First time I’ve done one of these so let’s run through it line by line.
I’ve tried not to be heavily influenced by the pre-season ever since Darcy MacPherson made me pick him with some standout performances a couple of years ago, only to stink it up in the season proper, hence the no Cripps, Heeney etc, even though I’ve been incredibly tempted! Let’s get started!
Defenders
I see a lot of risk in this backline, I’ll be completely honest. The only guy I’ve had sitting there all pre season is Short, who I think could be in for a super year as the Tigers sole avenue out of defence. Ryan has elite scoring history and can pull out a triple figure score from minimal touches if he uses it well. Whitfield and Sicily both come with risk but I think for their price, and the potential end of season output (both good enough for top 6-8 defenders) is too good to pass up on. Of the rookies, Sinn and De Koning would be fielded if these four guys are in my round 1 team, but like a lot of us, rookies will change depending on who gets announced on the team sheet a week from now.
Midfielders
Between Steele and Macrae, it was a real toss up. At the end of the day, the Saints captain saved me 14K and come the end of the season, I don’t think they’ll be much difference. Also, his 150 point scores seem to come a little more often (or at least it seems that way). The same could be said between Oliver and Miller, but due to a couple of seasons of previous ownership, Satan gets in on bias. Either way I’ll be aiming to have all four by season end. I’m backing in Wines as a POD, and keep on looking at his post-bye form from last year as an indication that I’ve made a safe choice. Neale seems somewhat obvious, while Brayshaw could well push his average into the high 110’s in my opinion. JHF, Daicos and Stephens are pretty common for M6-8, while the bench will change once again depending on round 1 teams. (Although I’m tempted to keep Clark as a loophole for the start of the year).
Rucks
Grundy will ideally do his usual and average that 115-125 range, while Dixon provides that DPP if he gets the round 1 start. Witts has been in my team all pre-season and his AAMI performance locked him in. In an ideal world, he makes 100K and is a upgrade to one of Gawn or Darcy if they have a couple of bad weeks, or he plays well enough to average 95 and is one of my last upgrades. Or of course, it completely backfires and he stagnates around this price and I find myself using 3 trades trying to correct it. For me, I’m willing to take the risk.
Forwards
I had my doubts over Dunkley but I said the same last year and he was incredible before injury struck, plus he was everywhere in the preseason so he seems a safe pick. Dusty is at his cheapest in ages and I can’t pass for him at that price, knowing that he is capable enough of being the #1 forward (and the fact he usually goes nuts in round 1). Butters seems about ready to breakout, while Coniglio for 261K is a steal if he can produce anything in the 90’s, which is well within his reach. Rachele and McCartin look set for round 1, but might be moved to other lines if required, with Hollands and Hayes being at the mercy of the selection table.
So there it is, my current but no where near finalised 2022 starting lineup. I’ve only got $1,800 left in the bank but that’s the way I like it, may as well use as much of the starting balance if I can, although I admit this doesn’t give me much wiggle room if my rookies have to be moved around.
Keen to hear some constructive thoughts down below!
Leave a comment / Scroll to bottom
Nice team Dane, very similar to mine expect for a small few tweaks.
Sicily > Lloyd
D. Martin > J. Berry
Love the structure though, think it’s the way to go.
Thanks LNL!
Both of those guys have been in and out over Feb and may well come back in by Wednesday! Would be happy to start both if it came to it.
Looks good Dane. I do agree with most but have concerns on others. Think Dusty is correctly priced and you won’t see if go up and down too much, don’t think Wines has that consistent ceiling like you can get with others a touch higher priced and I think Berry is almost as much of a good pick as someone like Cogs (although I don’t want to say lock)
Do you also have a back up plan for Witts if it doesn’t work out? I currently have Witts as well but have been keeping English in my forwards just in case (My original plan was to run English R2 and Pruess R3 and if Preuss was getting consistent tons I could swing English forward for Hayes and play Preuss on field but that didn’t last long.) I guess you could always just go down to Preuss if anything.
Thanks TJ!
I feel the same concerns that you raised. Pruess has been my R3 for a hot minute but needed to move some cash around to get Bowey – Sicily. I’ve had eyes on Bowey but I’m just doubtful he’s going to make the 115-130K that I’d want from a guy priced in his range. The lineup will definitely change again, but I saw Witts played well enough on the weekend to warrant selection even with tough early season matchups.
Wines – Cripps/Rowell is something I’m tossing up to free up some cash currently.
I agree with Bowey. Is one I’ve picked in multiple drafts instead.
Nice team Dane!
I know you’ve said rookies are subject to change but I’d have a plan B to drop a premo like Wines/Brayshaw to Berry/Rowell/Caldwell to get the higher priced rookies. (I doubt this is something you haven’t already planned though)
Thanks Alza!
100% have contemplated that, even going down as far as Ward to then upgrade around the ground.
Some good thought there Dane. I have downgraded Darcy for Witts to fit Rowell in along side Berry to go six deep in the mids. While I grapple with that points v cash generation, it may change as I have similar concerns as TJ as to back up plan if it turns pear shaped early.
Starting with Witts does free up that 250-300K to use on a sixth mid, which for guys with value like Rowell and Berry, is worth it. I’m also thinking with an extra few trades this season, if Witts does go pear shaped, we can adjust for that easier than in the past.
Just have to be careful to not use all my trade boosts as correctional at the start of the season!