Check out who we think will be in your club’s best 22 come Round 1 next year
THE trade period is done and now your club’s best 22 for 2019 is starting to take shape. Who is in it right now? Check out our SuperFooty predictions for all 18 teams and have your say on who should come in and out.
THE trade period is done and now your club’s best 22 for 2019 is starting to take shape.
Who is in it right now?
SuperFooty has run the numbers and come up with the best 22 for all 18 clubs for next season.
Do you agree with our predictions?
Scroll down to check out each team and let us know your best 22 in the comments.
GARY BUCKENARA: TRADE PERIOD WINNERS AND LOSERS
GARY BUCKENARA: THE TOP 30 DRAFT PROSPECTS FOR 2018
ADELAIDE
B: R.Laird, D.Talia, L.Brown
HB: B.Smith, T.Doedee, W.Milera
C: R.Atkins, R.Sloane, P.Seedsman
HF: R.Douglas, T.Walker, T.Lynch
F: D.Fogarty, J.Jenkins, E.Betts
FOL: S.Jacobs, M.Crouch, B.Gibbs
I/C: R.Knight, H.Greenwood, B.Crouch, J.Gallucci
MATTHEW HEATH SAYS: The Crows farewell Mitch McGovern but maintain the bulk of their imposing 2017 squad that did everything but win the grand final. They found a ripper in Tom Doedee this season, Wayne Milera and Hugh Greenwood came on in spades and there is now depth across the board with the trade period delivering some ready replacements for the ageing Eddie Betts in Tyson Stengle and Shane McAdam. With a full preseason from Brodie Smith and a bit of luck on the injury front for Brad Crouch and Taylor Walker, they should be right back in the premiership mix.
BRISBANE
B: Luke Hodge, Harris Andrews, Darcy Gardiner
HB: Marcus Adams, Daniel McStay, Alex Witherden
C: Daniel Rich, Mitch Robinson, Dayne Zorko
HF: Cameron Rayner, Eric Hipwood, Hugh McCluggage
F: Tom Cutler, Oscar McInerney, Charlie Cameron
Folls: Stefan Martin, Jarrod Berry, Lachie Neale
Inter: Lewis Taylor, Allen Christensen, Zac Bailey, Nick Robertson
Next in line: Rhys Mathieson, Josh Walker, Ryan Lester, Ryan Bastinac, Ben Keays
CHRIS VERNUCCIO SAYS: How good would this Lions team look if Dayne Beams wanted to stay? Brisbane, however, has effectively traded one elite midfielder for another elite midfielder, but a younger model. The line-up has great depth in the backline and an emerging forward line. Charlie Cameron would have been a contender for recruit of the year before his season-ending injury in Round 11. Every line is starting to take shape, it’s now up to the youngsters such as Hugh McCluggage, Alex Witherden, Cameron Rayner and Tom Cutler to become A-graders.
CARLTON
B: C.Marchbank, J.Weitering, L.O’Brien
HB: S.Docherty, L.Jones, K.Simpson
C: Z.Fisher, E.Curnow, P.Dow
HF: S.Petrevski-Seton, C.Curnow, T.Williamson
F: M.McGovern, H.McKay, J.Pickett
FOL: M.Kreuzer, M.Murphy P.Cripps,
I/C: W.Setterfield, L.Plowman, N.Newman, S.Walsh
Next best: D.Thomas, Jarrod Garlett, Matthew Kennedy, David Cuningham
MATTHEW HEATH SAYS: That Blues’ spine is coming along nicely thanks to the addition of Crows swingman Mitch McGovern, who could fill a key forward or defensive post. At only 23, you get the feeling he is still a way off reaching his full potential, which an injury-free season could deliver. There is still a glaring lack of big-bodied protection for Cripps, but the inclusions of Setterfield and Newman, along with the returns of Docherty and Williamson from season-long injuries, should help ease the midfield load. Will they take Walsh with the first pick and slot him straight in?
COLLINGWOOD
B Brayden Maynard Ben Reid Tom Langdon
HB Jeremy Howe Darcy Moore Jack Crisp
C Steele Sidebottom Scott Pendlebury Tom Phillips
HF Will Hoskin-Elliott Brody Mihocek Dayne Beams
F Jamie Elliott Mason Cox Jordan De Goey
Foll Brodie Grundy Taylor Adams Adam Treloar
I/C Jaidyn Stephenson Josh Thomas Daniel Wells Travis Varcoe
Next in line: Brayden Sier, Chris Mayne, Tyson Goldsack, James Aish, Levi Greenwood, Jordan Roughead
KATE SALEMME SAYS: Lynden Dunn and Matt Scharenberg are facing delayed starts to 2019 after knee reconstructions. Sier, Mayne, Aish and Greenwood are mightily unlucky not to be picked but if the big guns are all fit, some players have to miss out. Reid gets the nod at full-back just ahead of Goldsack because of his size but if both are fit and available, it will be horses for courses, depending on form and match-ups.
ESSENDON
B: Aaron Francis Cale Hooker Andy McGrath
HB: Adam Saad Michael Hurley Conor McKenna
C: Devon Smith Dyson Heppell David Zaharakis
HF: Orazio Fantasia Shaun McKernan Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti
F: Jake Stringer Joe Daniher Mark Baguley
R: Tom Bellchambers Zach Merrett Dylan Shiel
INT: Darcy Parish Kyle Langford David Myers Jayden Laverde Martin Gleeson
Next in line: Mason Redman, Patrick Ambrose, Matt Guelfi, Mitch Brown, Michael Hartley
LIAM TWOMEY SAYS: There are no excuses for the Bombers in 2019. This team can’t just make the finals. It needs to win one. We know what we are going to get from the stars. But watch for the likes of Aaron Francis, Andy McGrath and Jayden Laverde to take their games to the next level. And what will Dylan Shiel do as the star of the show?
FREMANTLE
B Nathan Wilson Joel Hamling Taylin Duman
HB Luke Ryan Alex Pearce Ed Langdon
C Stephen Hill Andrew Brayshaw Brad Hill
HF Michael Walters Matt Taberner David Mundy
F Hayden Ballantyne Jesse Hogan Rory Lobb
Foll Sean Darcy Nat Fyfe Connor Blakely
I/C Travis Colyer Adam Cerra Reece Conca Harley Bennell
Next in line: Aaron Sandilands, Cam Sutcliffe, Tom Sheridan, Cam McCarthy, Brandon Matera, Brennan Cox
BEN HIGGINS SAYS: There’s plenty of new faces at Fremantle with Hogan, Lobb and Colyer all set for Round 1 debuts in purple. It’s time for some young blood as well, so we’ve picked Sean Darcy in the ruck ahead of Aaron Sandilands. After his controversial move from GWS a couple of years ago, Cam McCarthy is now on the outside looking in and will have to impress over preseason to squeeze into the best 22.
GEELONG
B: Tom Stewart Mark Blicavs Jed Bews
HB: Zach Tuohy Lachie Henderson Jack Henry
C: Mitch Duncan Patrick Dangerfield Sam Menegola
HF: Nakia Cockatoo Esava Ratugolea Tim Kelly
F: Gary Rohan Tom Hawkins Luke Dahlhaus
R: Rhys Stanley Joel Selwood Gary Ablett
INT: Jake Kolodjashnij Lachie Fogarty Brandan Parfitt Cam Guthrie
Next in line: Harry Taylor Daniel Menzel Scott Selwood Quinton Narkle Nathan Kreuger Wylie Buzza
LIAM TWOMEY SAYS: The Cats need to look over a few familiar faces to start the year, meaning Taylor, Menzel and Scott Selwood should start in the VFL. They would love to get 22 games from both Nakia Cockatoo and Esava Ratugolea in 2019. Will this be the Little Master’s final season?
GOLD COAST
B Sam Collins Rory Thompson Jarrod Harbrow
HB Pearce Hanley Jack Hombsch Jack Martin
C David Swallow Anthony Miles Jack Bowes
HF Izak Rankine Peter Wright Alex Sexton
F Josh Corbett Sam Day Ben Ainsworth
Foll Jarrod Witts Touk Miller Lachie Weller
I/C George Horlin-Smith Callum Ah Chee Jarryd Lyons Brayden Fiorini
Next in line: Will Brodie, Jack Lukosius, Corey Ellis, Chris Burgess, Jesse Joyce, Nick Holman
BEN HIGGINS SAYS: Round 1 could see an almost completely new team suit up for the Suns. We’re predicting at least six new faces, including likely top draft pick Izak Rankine, with Jack Lukosius, Corey Ellis and Chris Burgess on the fringes. Will Brodie needs a big preseason to force his way into the best 22. Stuart Dew faces an almighty task just to get this club to gel ahead of the new season. Will they win a game?
GWS GIANTS
B Sam Taylor Phil Davis Nick Haynes
HB Matt Buntine Aiden Corr Zac Williams
C Stephen Coniglio Callan Ward Lachie Whitfield
HF Toby Greene Harry Himmelberg Matt de Boer
F Brett Deledio Jeremy Cameron Zac Langdon
Foll Shane Mumford Tim Taranto Josh Kelly
I/C Jacob Hopper Heath Shaw Adam Tomlinson No.9 draft pick
Next in line: No.11 draft pick, Harry Perryman, Aiden Bonar, Adam Kennedy, Isaac Cumming, Jeremy Finlayson
BEN HIGGINS SAYS: The biggest question (no pun intended) ahead of the draft is will Shane Mumford return? If he does, he starts Round 1. If not, Dawson Simpson gets the nod. Meanhile, the Giants’ trade period exodus will put pressure on their young stars, with the likes of Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper set for much bigger roles in the midfield. GWS also holds three first-round picks, with at least one sure to start Round 1.
HAWTHORN
B Blake Hardwick James Frawley Ricky Henderson
HB James Sicily Ben Stratton Jarman Impey
C Isaac Smith Tom Mitchell Liam Shiels
HF Chad Wingard Jack Gunston James Worpel
F Luke Breust Jarryd Roughead Paul Puopolo
Foll Ben McEvoy Jaeger O’Meara Daniel Howe
I/C Tom Scully Shaun Burgoyne Harry Morrison Teia Miles
Next in line: David Mirra, Conor Nash, Jon Ceglar, Grant Birchall, Ryan Schoenmakers, Kaiden Brand
MICHAEL RANDALL: If Tom Scully is fit he walks into the side, but that’s Hawthorn’s million-dollar question in the wake of the trade period. Chad Wingard can return to the high half-forward role that saw him become an All-Australian and Luke Breust and Jack Gunston will be licking their lips with his elite service. The Hawks have a nice blend of youth and experience with the likes of Miles, Morrison and Worpel in the team.
MELBOURNE
B Jake Lever Oscar McDonald Neville Jetta
HB Kade Kolodjashnij Steven May Michael Hibberd
C Christian Salem Jack Viney Angus Brayshaw
HF Christian Petracca Tom McDonald James Harmes
F Jake Melksham Sam Weideman Mitch Hannan
Foll Max Gawn Nathan Jones Clayton Oliver
I/C Alex Neal-Bullen Jordan Lewis Charlie Spargo Bayley Fritsch
Next in line: Jayden Hunt, Aaron vandenBerg, Braydon Preuss, Sam Frost, Jay Kennedy-Harris, Joel Smith
BEN HIGGINS SAYS: The additions of Steven May and Kade Kolodjashnij and Jake Lever’s returns makes Melbourne’s defence arguably the best in the AFL. A full pre-season for Jack Viney and the continued development of some young stars has the Demons well placed to repeat their preliminary final performance. The biggest question mark is if Jayden Hunt can break in to the best 22 and whether Braydon Preuss will share ruck duties with Max Gawn.
NORTH MELBOURNE
B: Majak Daw Scott Thompson Marley Williams
HB: Jasper Pittard Robbie Tarrant Luke McDonald
C: Jared Polec Ben Cunnington Jamie Macmillan
HF: Jy Simpkin Jack Ziebell Aaron Hall
F: Kayne Turner Ben Brown Tarryn Thomas
Foll: Todd Goldstein Shaun Higgins Jed Anderson
I/C: Paul Ahern Shaun Atley Trent Dumont Mason Wood
Next in line: Dom Tyson, Luke Davies-Uniacke, Sam Wright, Nathan Hrovat, Taylor Garner, Sam Durdin
GILBERT GARDINER SAYS: Does Dom Tyson play Round 1? Who does he squeeze out? Ben Cunnington is a lock, so is Trent Dumont, while Jed Anderson finished 2018 in strong form. Jared Polec and Jasper Pittard provide some much needed run-and-carry while Aaron Hall brings match-winning ability to the forward half. Expect Next Generation Academy gun Tarryn Thomas to be a first-round draft pick and he could force his way in for Round 1.
PORT ADELAIDE
B: T.Jonas, T.Clurey, D.Houston
HB: R.Burton, D.Howard, H.Hartlett
C: R.Bonner, O.Wines, S.Motlop
HF: T.Boak, J.Westhoff, R.Gray
F: S.Lycett, C.Dixon, S.Gray
FOL: P.Ryder, S.Powell-Pepper, B.Ebert
I/C: K.Farrell, T.Marshall, T.Rockliff, D.Byrne-Jones
MATTHEW HEATH SAYS: There will once again be plenty of intrigue about Port Adelaide’s starting line-up in 2019 after the Power played another front-and-centre role during the trade period. But instead of questions on where big-name recruits such as Rockliff, Motlop and Watts will slot in, this time it will be how Polec, Wingard and Pittard will be replaced. Scott Lycett will be a big boost as second ruck, but much of the Power’s hopes will rest on how Ryder, Dixon, Hartlett, Rockliff and even young forward Todd Marshall bounce back from injury-cursed 2018 campaigns.
RICHMOND
B Dylan Grimes Alex Rance Nathan Broad
HB Nick Vlastuin David Astbury Bachar Houli
C Kane Lambert Dion Prestia Kamdyn McIntosh
HF Shane Edwards Tom Lynch Daniel Rioli
F Dan Butler Jack Riewoldt Josh Caddy
Foll Toby Nankervis Dustin Martin Trent Cotchin
I/C Shaun Grigg Jack Higgins Jayden Short Jason Castagna
Next in line: Brandon Ellis, Jack Graham, Jacob Townsend, Oleg Markov, Connor Menadue, Ryan Garthwaite
AL PATON SAYS: Only an injury setback can stop Tom Lynch from lining up at centre half-forward in Round 1. The Tigers’ mini exodus has seemingly had little impact on the best 22 with premiership stars Brandon Ellis, Jack Graham and Jacob Townsend being squeezed out of our predicted line-up. Jayden Short cemented his place in the senior team this year. Will Dimma stick with the mosquito fleet underneath Lynch and Jack Riewoldt?
ST KILDA
B Jarryn Geary Nathan Brown Dylan Roberton
HB Shane Savage Jake Carlisle Jimmy Webster
C Blake Acres Jack Steven Jack Steele
HF Jade Gresham Tim Membrey Jack Billings
F Dean Kent Josh Bruce Paddy McCartin
Foll Billy Longer Seb Ross Dan Hannebery
I/C Hunter Clark Ben Long Jack Newnes No.4 draftee
Next in line: Jack Lonie, Nick Coffield, Luke Dunstan, David Armitage, Lewis Pierce, Logan Austin
AL PATON SAYS: Dan Hannebery (if 100 per cent fit) is an instant improvement in the Saints’ midfield, while Dean Kent will battle with Ben Long and Jack Lonie for a spot in the forward line. One of the King brothers should arrive with the No.4 draft pick and walk straight into the best 22. Luke Dunstan and David Armitage are now behind youngster Hunter Clark and Nick Coffield on the Saints’ pecking order.
SYDNEY SWANS
B Dane Rampe Heath Grundy Nick Smith
HB Jake Lloyd Aliir Aliir Zak Jones
C Isaac Heeney Josh Kennedy Callum Mills
HF Ryan Clarke Lance Franklin Tom Papley
F Ben Ronke Tom McCartin Will Hayward
Foll Callum Sinclair Luke Parker George Hewett
I/C Ollie Florent Jarred McVeigh Harry Cunningham Nick Blakey
Next in line: Jackson Thurlow, Kieren Jack, Sam Reid, Lewis Melican, Sam Naismith, Harry Marsh
BEN HIGGINS SAYS: The returns of Callum Mills and Nick Smith certainly improves the Swans’ line-up and Ryan Clarke adds some key midfield depth. Tom McCartin’s impressive debut season has seen him jump Sam Reid in the key forward pecking order, while the ruck mantle is Callum Sinclair’s to lose. Academy star and likely top-10 draft pick Nick Blakey should slot straight into the best 22. Jackson Thurlow is on the fringe for now.
WEST COAST
B Shannon Hurn Tom Barrass Brad Sheppard
HB Liam Duggan Jeremy McGovern Lewis Jetta
C Chris Masten Luke Shuey Andrew Gaff*
HF Willie Rioli Jack Darling Elliot Yeo
F Liam Ryan Josh Kennedy Jamie Cripps
Foll Tom Hickey Mark Hutchings Jack Redden
I/C Daniel Venables Nathan Vardy Tom Cole Dom Sheed
Next in line: Will Schofield Jake Waterman, Brendon Ah Chee, Hamish Brayshaw, Jackson Nelson, Jack Petruccelle
BEN HIGGINS SAYS: Nic Nat will miss the first half of the year, so Tom Hickey gets the start at ruck. Andrew Gaff is suspended for the first two games of 2019, even though we’ve named him. Callum Ah Chee should get a call up. Will Schofield was immense in the Eagles’ premiership win but that backline is a tough nut to crack, with Brad Sheppard back in the team.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
B Dale Morris Zaine Cordy Easton Wood
HB Ed Richards Aaron Naughton Jason Johannisen
C Lachie Hunter Jack Macrae Toby McLean
HF Sam Lloyd Jackson Trengove Josh Dunkley
F Mitch Wallis Josh Schache Billy Gowers
Foll Tom Boyd Marcus Bontempelli Tom Liberatore
I/C Matthew Suckling Hayden Crozier Caleb Daniel Bailey Dale
Next in line: Liam Picken, Bailey Williams, Tim English, Tory Dickson, Patrick Lipinski, Taylor Duryea
BEN HIGGINS SAYS: Sam Lloyd walks straight into a half-forward flank, probably at the expence of Tory Dickson, but Taylor Duryea might have to bide his time. There’s some big decisions to be made on the Dogs’ talls. Is Tom Boyd the No.1 ruckman or does Tim English start in Round 1? How do Boyd, Trengove, Schache and English all fit? Liam Picken is a walk-up start if he’s fit. Bailey Williams desperately unlucky.
Originally published as Check out who we think will be in your club’s best 22 come Round 1 next year