The 22 biggest winners from the 2022 AFL season
Collingwood’s 2021 season ended with a second bottom finish and no coach, so how did they turn it around in 2022. These winners were a big part of the Pies’ resurgence.
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There are plenty throughout the AFL world who will see in the New Year with a big grin thanks to a 2022 which delivered them a reason to smile.
These are the 22 winners from the 2022 season.
PATRICK DANGERFIELD
The premiership which had eluded the Cats superstar was collected and no-one enhanced their reputation more than Danger. His performances in the preliminary final and grand final were out of this world and quickly silenced critics who were starting to question his September output.
JENNIFER WATT
Just the second female to be appointed CEO in the AFL. Watt cut her teeth in various roles at Melbourne before moving over to the MCC. An inspired choice by the Kangaroos who continue to tick all the right boxes in their rebuild.
JORDAN DE GOEY
We’re all a fickle lot. Mid-year De Goey was persona non grata after another off-field incident which saw his contract offer pulled by the Magpies. That all changed when the star midfielder turned in an epic finals series which saw Collingwood scrambling to get his signature on a contract that had a few more zeros on it (and less behavioural restrictions).
PATRICK CRIPPS
His team’s late season fade-out would have hurt but the Carlton skipper claimed some major personal satisfaction winning the Brownlow Medal. After being banged up with injury and having questions asked about whether his best days were behind him, he put together a brilliant season which changed the narrative around him quickly.
CRAIG McRAE
Debut season’s as coach don’t go much better. Took Collingwood from 17th to within a kick of a grand final. The former Brisbane Lions premiership rover was a breath of fresh air in the coaching ranks with his honesty and positive outlook shining through. Maybe, he’s onto something.
ROSS LYON
Just as his media career was taking off, the lure of fixing his former team was too much. Lyon is always fascinating and what he can do at St Kilda is going to be fun to watch although we’re not sure the new cuddly Ross is going to last.
JACK GINNIVAN
Went from unknown rookie to the most maligned figure in the game. The debate around Ginnivan’s skill in winning free kicks shouldn’t get in the way of the extraordinary season he had, kicking 40 goals from a forward pocket to be a major part of Collingwood’s revival. We think Jack had the last laugh.
DR SONJA HOOD
The no-nonsense North Melbourne president showed she was a person not to be messed with. Sacked an underperforming coach and then landed the biggest fish in the pond in Alastair Clarkson to rebuild her troubled club.
TASMANIA
While there is still some nuts and bolts to be figured out around the stadium, what is now a no-brainer is that Tasmania will have its own AFL team with it being a matter of when not if now. A lot of people campaigned hard and now they just need some Federal Government cash to make sure it comes to life inside the next five years.
JEREMY CAMERON
Left GWS to chase a flag with Geelong and got one in his second year. Kicked 65 goals for the season and combined brilliantly with Tom Hawkins (67 goals). He also excelled in the Cats premiership celebrations, earning the three votes with his cows.
DAISY PEARCE
The pioneer of AFLW finally got her premiership. Pearce was the spiritual force behind Melbourne’s victory and was just as inspirational in the celebrations. She also continued to enhance her reputation as a special comments expert moving comfortably into Channel 7’s Friday night hot seat.
TIM TARANTO
Should be laughing rather than just smiling after the crazy supply and demand of the AFL system meant he was handed a monster seven-year deal, worth more than $5 million, to join Richmond. Taranto was a more than handy midfielder with GWS but those sorts of deals have previously been linked to superstars.
STEVE HOCKING
First year as CEO and guides Geelong to a premiership. Hocking overhauled Kardinia Park with a number of key off-field appointments while also challenging Chris Scott to change his ways. The former AFL football boss also deserves credit for his tinkering of the rules during his time at head office which hit pay dirt in 2022.
ROBBIE WILLIAMS
While it mightn’t be at the top of his own achievements for the year, Robbie gets a gig because of the smiles he put on the faces of everyone on Grand Final day. Most notably Gill McLachlan who had been desperate to nail a big act for the pre-game entertainment and ironically delivered on his last chance.
STUART DEW
Finally got that contract extension he was craving midway through the year. There is no doubt Dew is building a culture for success and deserves another couple of years although the pressure will be front and square again if the Suns aren’t a final eight contender.
CHARLIE CURNOW
Carlton fans had been wondering if their young superstar was ever going to get back after a couple of years in the wilderness because of injury. He hit back with a bang, winning the Coleman Medal with 64 goals to give the Blues a one-two punch with 2021 Coleman Medallist Harry McKay which will give opposition coaches’ sleepless nights.
PADDY McCARTIN
One of the fairytale stories of the year. The former No. 1 draft pick at St Kilda thought his career was done because of concussion but he never gave up and the Swans gave him a lifeline to play alongside his younger brother. The sight of them running out together in the grand final is one of the images of 2022.
JEFF BROWNE
Won the battle for control of Collingwood and then sat back and watched the Pies surge back to being one of the best teams in the land. Is now on the hunt for a high-profile CEO (ie Craig Kelly) to complete his stunning makeover.
TYSON STENGLE
Yet another heartwarming story. Dumped by two clubs before being handed a final chance with Geelong, the goalsneak became one of the best forwards in the competition kicking 53 goals, winning All-Australian selection and then a premiership. Good luck topping that in 2023 Tys.
SAM DOCHERTY
Diagnosed with cancer again in August last year yet there he was in round 1. The defender’s inspirational comeback was a tear-jerker for the football world with Docherty then putting together a brilliant season with many surprised he wasn’t All-Australian.
CRAIG VOZZO
In October he was looking at trying to figure out a way to turnaround West Coast’s horror year as their football boss. Two months later he’s the surprise CEO of Essendon after they managed to completely stuff up the appointment of Andrew Thorburn.
ISAAC SMITH
Was the poster boy for the “too old” Cats yet the 33-year-old won his fourth premiership and claimed the North Smith Medal in the process. The former Hawk ran rings around Sydney in the GF, kicking three goals from 32 touches.
Originally published as The 22 biggest winners from the 2022 AFL season
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