AFL 2022 Pre-season guide: All the latest from every club
Which magnets have moved in the off-season? Get the inside word on who is switching positions at every club in our ultimate 2022 scouting report.
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There is plenty happening at every AFL club as the season fast approaches.
Defenders are getting swung forward, blokes are ‘training the house down’ in a bid for ‘more midfield time’ and the young gun draft picks are trying to prove their worth.
Chris Cavanagh with the latest about what is happening at your club.
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ADELAIDE
NEW RECRUITS
Jordan Dawson is already showing what an asset he will be at the Crows this year with some impressive form on the track.
The 24-year-old midfielder’s gut running and foot skills have particularly impressed the Crows and he has kicked multiple goals on occasion during match simulation.
NEW POSITIONS
Expect to see Rory Sloane spend more time across half-forward this year as the Crows adopt a different midfield mix which is likely to include more onball minutes for Sam Berry and Harry Schoenberg.
BACK FROM INJURY
Matt Crouch is back in the thick of things after missing last year with hip and groin problems but is yet to fully hit his strides.
DRAFT WATCH
The Crows’ top draftee from last year, small forward Josh Rachele, is right in the mix for a Round 1 debut having impressed with his power, polish and scoring ability.
Fellow draftee Jake Soligo has also slotted in very nicely.
INJURY ISSUES
Wingman Paul Seedsman has still been having “ups and downs” with his recovery from a concussion pre-Christmas.
Lachie Murphy (neck surgery) has also had an interrupted pre-season, along with Elliott Himmelberg (hamstring).
ONE MORE THING …
The talk out of Adelaide is that Lachie Sholl is ready to step things up again, after earning a second Rising Star nomination in as many years last season.
BRISBANE
NEW RECRUITS
It was a quiet trade period for the Lions last year, who picked up only Geelong ruckman Darcy Fort.
Fort has made a good impression at his new club and the Lions have not ruled out playing him in the same team as No. 1 ruckman Oscar McInerney.
NEW POSITIONS
Lions captain Dayne Zorko is expected to spend a lot more time across halfback this year, having been a lock inside midfielder for years.
Grant Birchall’s retirement has freed up a spot down back for the 32-year-old Zorko.
BACK FROM INJURY
Former No.1 draft pick Cam Rayner has said he is “back to normal” and has caught the eye during match simulation for the Lions.
Rayner missed all of last season after suffering an ACL injury during the AAMI Community Series in March last year.
Defender Noah Answerth has also shone brightly during recent match simulation, having missed most of last year with groin issues.
DRAFT WATCH
The Lions’ top two draft picks from last year have both slotted in nicely at Brisbane.
Darcy Wilmot (pick 16) brings pace that the Lions have at times lacked and can be used off halfback or a on a wing, while half-forward Kai Lohmann (pick 20) has been described by coach Chris Fagan as a player who has “got a few tricks to play AFL footy”.
INJURY ISSUES
Zorko will miss Brisbane’s pre-season matches after recent ankle surgery, but is still expected to be available for Round 1.
Key forward Eric Hipwood is ahead of schedule in his recovery from an ACL he suffered in Round 17 last year but will be sidelined for at least the first half of the season.
ONE MORE THING …
The Lions have added a breathing coach to their support staff for the 2022 season. Can that help bring some more composure this year?
CARLTON
NEW RECRUITS
The Blues can’t wait to see what former Fremantle midfielder Adam Cerra and former Sydney onballer George Hewett can add through the midfield this year.
Both have had strong pre-seasons with their new club and will get ample opportunity on the ball early in the season.
Former Western Bulldogs defender Lewis Young and should get an opportunity early in the year.
NEW POSITIONS
Mitch McGovern is headed back down back, where he has been playing as a third tall during match simulation and has shown a bit.
The former forward is also fit again, after missing large chunks of last year with injury.
BACK FROM INJURY
The Blues say key forward Charlie Curnow is in “great shape” and is “bouncing around” after he returned from injury for the last four games last season to set the tone for a big pre-season.
Key defender Caleb Marchbank is entering the final stages of his recovery from an ACL injury he suffered in a VFL match last April.
Marchbank has not played an AFL game since 2019.
DRAFT WATCH
Carlton only had one pick in the first two rounds of the draft last year in small forward Jesse Motlop (pick 27).
Motlop might have to bide his time a little bit, though, with the Blues having a few small forward options.
INJURY ISSUES
Reigning best-and-fairest Sam Walsh is the big issue for the Blues, set to miss “at least” the first three to four weeks of the season with an ankle syndesmosis injury.
Young ruckman Tom De Koning has recovered well from surgery to remove a blood clot from his shoulder and is still a chance to feature in practice matches as he eyes Round 1.
ONE MORE THING …
Patrick Cripps’ brother Josh is still training with the Blues in search of the a list spot during the pre-season supplemental selection period, which ends on March 9.
COLLINGWOOD
NEW RECRUITS
Former Geelong defender Nathan Kreuger has been training with the forwards and has looked good at stages during pre-season as the Pies look for some help for Brody Mihocek in the key-position posts.
Former Western Bulldogs talent Patrick Lipinski has also been training with the forwards and will be pushing for an early-season debut in his new colours.
NEW POSITIONS
The captain, Scott Pendlebury, is moving out of the midfield and will spend a lot more time in the back six this year where the Pies will hope he can add some classy ball use.
Jack Crisp has been told he will play more midfield minutes this year as a result, having been primarily been used across halfback in recent years.
BACK FROM INJURY
Will Kelly has had a bad run with injury since joining the club at the end of 2018, but has had a good run at it this pre-season after playing just two senior games last year.
He could add another element in attack.
Star defender Darcy Moore is back to full fitness after missing the second half of last season with a knee injury.
DRAFT WATCH
All eyes are on last year’s No. 4 draft pick Nick Daicos, who looks certain to get a game early in the season after a huge summer.
Captain Pendlebury has said Daicos will “be ready” when his name gets called and “hopefully it’s Round 1”.
INJURY ISSUES
The only real worry for the moment at the Pies is key defender Jordan Roughead, who will miss at least the first month of the season after recently undergoing shoulder surgery.
ONE MORE THING …
Star ruckman Brodie Grundy has trimmed off his man bun and has also trimmed off some kilos as he looks to get back to his “vintage” best this season.
ESSENDON
NEW RECRUITS
Former Adelaide backman Jake Kelly looks like being an astute addition for the Bombers after being picked up as an unrestricted free agent at the end of last year.
Kelly can play tall or small and is a strong interceptor who has impressed Essendon with his attitude over pre-season.
NEW POSITIONS
Aaron Francis looks set to spend more time forward this year, having been used mostly as a defender in recent seasons.
During match simulation, Andrew McGrath and Zach Merrett have been rotating through halfback and midfield roles as the Bombers look to change up their onball mix.
BACK FROM INJURY
Veteran defender Michael Hurley is progressing in his recovery from an ongoing hip problem but is still limited in his training.
It is expected Hurley will be more likely to be seen in the VFL than the AFL this year.
DRAFT WATCH
No. 13 draft pick Ben Hobbs has done plenty as a big-bodied midfielder during match simulation.
It will not be an easy midfield to break into this year, but Hobbs could not be doing much more to press his claims.
INJURY ISSUES
Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti has been back at Tullamarine but will miss the early part of the season after a calf injury has limited his pre-season.
Jake Stringer has been carefully managed after hurting his groin but has not been ruled out of returning by Round 1.
Dylan Shiel has had some recent quad tightness but was cleared of any serious damage.
Kyle Langford (shoulder) is expected to return for pre-season matches.
ONE MORE THING …
Former No. 11 draft pick Jye Caldwell has been tearing up the track and looks set for a breakout year after hamstring issues restricted him to three AFL games last year.
FREMANTLE
NEW RECRUITS
Former Geelong defender Jordan Clark looks ready to step straight into the Dockers defence and bring some serious pace off halfback.
Clark had found it hard to become a permanent part of the Geelong side the past two years, but has impressed at his new club and should not have any similar issues.
Former Gold Coast talent Will Brodie has had some nice moments on the track but has missed some recent match simulation due to a minor injury issue.
NEW POSITIONS
Hayden Young is in the mix to fill the midfield hole left by the departure of Adam Cerra during last year’s trade period.
Young has played his 13 AFL games over the past two years mostly as a defender, but has great pace and elite disposal.
Key defender Brennan Cox has been tried in attack during pre-season to great effect, but is expected to primarily remain in defence.
BACK FROM INJURY
There’s a long list of Dockers who missed a large number of games last year.
The biggest name is clearly Nat Fyfe, though, who missed the tail end of the season after having shoulder surgery.
The good news for Dockers fans is that Fyfe is back in full training and back to his normal playing weight of 96kg.
Defender Joel Hamling is also in line for a Round 1 return, having played just one game in the past two years due to persistent ankle issues.
DRAFT WATCH
No. 10 draft pick Neil Erasmus has been racking up the disposals through the midfield and on a wing during intra-club match practice.
No. 8 pick Jye Amiss has been on a modified training program, while pick 21 Matthew Johnson had a setback with a foot injury in late January.
INJURY ISSUES
In addition to Brodie, Darcy Tucker has had some recent minor hamstring issues.
ONE MORE THING …
Veteran David Mundy just keeps keeping on and hasn’t missed a beat over pre-season.
GEELONG
NEW RECRUITS
Former Hawthorn ruckman Jonathon Ceglar had arthroscopy surgery on his right knee after a training mishap, but is expected to make a quick recovery.
Former Adelaide small forward Tyson Stengle is expected to add some firepower to group of small forwards who struggled last year.
BACK FROM INJURY
Star defender Tom Strewart missed the last five games of last season – including finals – with a syndesmosis ankle injury but is back fit and firing and ready for Round 1.
DRAFT WATCH
James Willis looks the most likely of the Cats’ draftees to break into the side.
However, the pick 32 was eased into training during pre-season as he continued his recovery from a knee injury late in the SANFL season last year.
INJURY ISSUES
Along with Ceglar, small forward Gryan Miers is out of action at the moment after suffering a syndesmosis injury to his left ankle at training in late January.
The Cats are yet to put a date on Miers’ expected return.
ONE MORE THING …
Key forward Jeremy Cameron says he is primed for his “best season” yet after an issue-free pre-season that has seen him miss only one training session.
GOLD COAST
NEW RECRUITS
Former Richmond ruckman-forward Mabior Chol and former Carlton big man Levi Casboult have settled in well.
With Ben King’s injury, both could play important roles in attack this season.
SANFL Magarey Medallist James Tsitas won Gold Coast’s final list spot through the Supplemental Selection Period and the 26-year-old has the ability to slot straight into the Suns’ line-up.
NEW POSITIONS
Former No. 2 draft pick Jack Lukosius has spent all of pre-season training with the forwards, having spent his first three years in the AFL playing almost exclusively in defence.
BACK FROM INJURY
Ruckman and co-captain Jarrod Witts is awaiting final medical approval to return from an ACL injury he suffered in Round 3 last year.
A Round 1 return is firmly on the cards.
Defender Rory Thompson is also looking to return from the same injury.
DRAFT WATCH
No. 5 draft pick Mac Andrew, who can play at either end of the ground or in the ruck, has been strong on the training track and has all the attributes to play some senior football this year.
INJURY ISSUES
Key forward Ben King’s season-ending ACL injury he suffered at pre-season training is a huge blow for the Suns.
King had kicked 47 goals from 22 games in a breakout 2021 season.
Midfielder Jack Bowes had shoulder surgery in late January and is expected to miss at least the first six rounds of the season.
ONE MORE THING …
Midfielder Brayden Fiorini has worked with a speed coach over summer to try and take his game to another level and make sure he stays a permanent part of the line-up.
GWS
NEW RECRUITS
The Giants’ only addition during the trade period last year was delisted free agent Jarrod Brander.
The former West Coast utility was originally taken at pick 13 in the 2017 national draft but struggled to find a role at the Eagles after being tried as a forward, back and on a wing.
However, Brander has trained purely as a forward at the Giants and is vying for one of the key position spots.
NEW POSITIONS
Lachie Ash is primed for more midfield minutes this season after impressing across halfback over the past two years.
Ash has built his tank over the summer and spent some time training with the midfield group.
BACK FROM INJURY
Co-captain Stephen Coniglio is fighting fit after a tough past two years with his body and form, with the Giants hopeful he is turning the corner.
Coniglio has been moving freely and covering the ground well on the training track.
DRAFT WATCH
The Giants’ top draft pick from last year, Finn Callaghan, has spent some time in the rehab group over summer.
However, Callaghan (pick 3) and Leek Aleer (pick 15) are standout high picks who could feature for the Giants at some stage this year.
INJURY ISSUES
Star forward-midfielder Toby Greene will miss the first five rounds of the season through suspension for umpire contact last year.
Small forward Brent Daniels is expected to miss the first half of the season with a Lisfranc injury.
Jack Buckley is also sidelined until at least the latter part of the year after suffering an ACL injury last July.
ONE MORE THING …
Key forward Jesse Hogan has completed a full pre-season and looks primed for a big 2022 after having some injury issues again last year.
HAWTHORN
NEW RECRUITS
Former Collingwood ruckman Max Lynch has been highly impressive across the summer and continues to battle it out with fellow 23-year-old Ned Reeves for the Hawks’ No. 1 ruck role.
NEW POSITIONS
It had been expected that talented young defender Will Day would push up the ground into the midfield this year, but a recent setback with an ankle injury might have pushed back those plans.
BACK FROM INJURY
Veteran Jack Gunston is building his fitness as he eyes an AFL return after a crippling back injury limited him to just a single game last year.
Defender James Sicily is also back to full fitness and ready to go this year, having not played since suffering an ACL injury in Round 12, 2020.
DRAFT WATCH
Last year’s No. 7 draft pick Josh Ward has been a standout all pre-season at training and during match simulation and is on track for an early-season debut.
The midfielder can run all day, is composed and clean by hand and foot and showed some good follow-up work.
Rookie draftee Ned Long has also caught the eye and looks capable of playing some senior football early in the year.
INJURY ISSUES
Day is unlikely to be ready for Round 1 as the Hawks manage him carefully.
Jarman Impey (foot) is also in doubt for Round 1, while Luke Breust suffered a concussion in a recent intra-club match.
Changkuoth Jiath is making strong progress after injuring his PCL late last season.
ONE MORE THING …
Tom Mitchell has kept doing what he does best over pre-season and racking up the disposals at Waverley Park.
MELBOURNE
NEW RECRUITS
Former St Kilda midfielder Luke Dunstan has impressed teammates over pre-season and has fit in nicely to a team that prides itself on winning contested ball.
NEW POSITIONS
Don’t expect to see the reigning premiers switch up too much in 2022.
BACK FROM INJURY
Defender Adam Tomlinson if fully fit and ready to reclaim his spot in the Demons’ side after suffering an ACL injury in Round 7 last season.
There will be some fire in the belly of one of the year’s biggest hard luck stories.
DRAFT WATCH
Melbourne’s Western Australian draftees Jacob van Rooyen, Taj Woewodin and Judd McVee only joined training for the first time since the November draft in mid-January, putting them back a little bit in their preparations for the coming season.
Melbourne will be a tough team to break into this year, anyway.
Victorian Blake Howes (pick 39) was the Demons’ other selection in the national draft.
INJURY ISSUES
It was a largely injury-free pre-season for the Demons until premiership defender Harrison Petty went under the knife for surgery on a calf injury.
Petty is expected to miss the early rounds of the season as a result.
ONE MORE THING …
Onballer Clayton Oliver, who finished third in the Brownlow Medal last year, is said to be as fit as ever and has been doing some “unbelievable” things on the track.
NORTH MELBOURNE
NEW RECRUITS
Richmond recruit Callum Coleman-Jones has caught the eye with his mobility and marking ability around the ground and is likely to find a home in the forward line as well as rotate with Todd Goldstein in the ruck.
Gold Coast recruit Hugh Greenwood has looked good during match simulation with the hardness he brings around the ball and his tackling, among a young midfield group.
NEW POSITIONS
Expect midfielder-forward Tarryn Thomas to play more minutes around the ball this year, but still add class in the forward half.
Thomas has shone brightly during match simulation, where is either kicking the goals himself or being the “money kick” player to hit up a teammate inside-50.
BACK FROM INJURY
Tom Powell missed the second half of last season with groin issues, but has proven a standout at training over summer.
DRAFT WATCH
Get excited, Kangaroos fans.
No. 1 draft pick Jason Horne-Francis is going to be a star of the competition and he is ready to go at AFL level, sitting firmly in the mix for a Round 1 debut.
INJURY ISSUES
Ben Cunnington (testicular cancer) is still sidelined indefinitely.
ONE MORE THING …
Key forward Nick Larkey looks ready to build on a big back half of last season which saw him boot 21 goals from his last seven games.
PORT ADELAIDE
NEW RECRUITS
Former GWS forward Jeremy Finlayson is staking his claim for a berth in the season-opener.
His marking, movement and agility as a mobile forward has impressed Power teammates and coaches.
Former Brisbane defender Sam Skinner has also kept being mentioned as one to keep an eye on at Alberton, with teammate Tom Jonas recently saying Skinner is “looking really good”
Former North Melbourne midfielder Trent Dumont has had recent surgery on his knee in a setback to his preparations.
NEW POSITIONS
Exciting young stars Zak Butters and Connor Rozee will be pushing their cases for more midfield minutes this season.
However, the Power do have some depth through that area.
DRAFT WATCH
The sight of the Power’s No. 13 draft pick Josh Sinn turning onto his left foot and kicking goals or finding forwards in space is already becoming common.
Sinn has spent some time training with the midfielders but appears more likely to start across halfback.
INJURY ISSUES
Key forward Charlie Dixon has had recent surgery on his ankle but is still expected to push to play in Round 1.
Small forward Orazio Fantasia has recently gone under the knife for a knee complaint, which is expected to see him miss the early part of the season.
ONE MORE THING …
Shaun Burgoyne returned to the Power from Hawthorn in November, taking on a multifaceted off-field role that did not specify coaching. But he has been joining some coaching meetings and is offering an extra set of hands for drills as well as advice on the training track.
RICHMOND
NEW RECRUITS
The Tigers couldn’t have been much more impressed with what North Melbourne recruit Robbie Tarrant has brought to the table since joining the club.
Expect the 32-year-old Tarrant to fill the hole in defence left by the retirement of triple-premiership player David Astbury.
NEW POSITIONS
Exciting young defender Noah Balta has been training with the forward line group across the summer as the Tigers eye a potential switch.
Balta’s athleticism, marking ability and quality kick could see him be a huge asset in attack.
BACK FROM INJURY
Ruckman Ivan Soldo is fit again after suffering an ACL injury in Round 17, 2020 which sidelined him for all of last year.
The Tigers are keen to explore a return to playing two rucks with Soldo alongside new co-captain Toby Nankervis.
DRAFT WATCH
Top draft pick Josh Gibcus has particularly impressed coach Damien Hardwick, as a 196cm athletic key defender who competes hard.
Teammate Jack Riewoldt has described Gibcus as a “very special player”.
INJURY ISSUES
Midfielder-forward Kane Lambert has been carefully managed during pre-season, while Tom Lynch has been eased back into training after a minor hamstring.
However, it has been otherwise a largely clean bill of health for the Tigers.
ONE MORE THING …
Midfielder and 2019 best-and-fairest Dion Prestia has had his best pre-season since joining the club as he hopes to put his injury issues of recent years behind him.
ST KILDA
NEW RECRUITS
A relatively quiet trade period for the Saints last year, who only picked up former North Melbourne ruckman Tom Campbell as a delisted free agent.
Campbell has gone up against Rowan Marshall in the ruck during recent intra-club games and performed well.
NEW POSITIONS
Josh Battle has been a jack of all trades in his time at the club, but looks destined to bed down a spot in defence this season.
He has spent the whole pre-season working with the backs and spent some time opposed to Max King in the match simulation.
BACK FROM INJURY
Jade Gresham has taken some important steps recently towards booking a Round 1 berth against Collingwood after shining during match simulation.
The forward-midfielder has not played since rupturing his Achilles in Round 3 last year.
DRAFT WATCH
Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera has shown a bit during match simulation, as have fellow draftees Mitch Owens and Marcus Windhager.
INJURY ISSUES
Young defender Nick Coffield will miss the season with an ACL injury he suffered during pre-season training.
Dan Hannebery and Patrick Ryder have been on modified training programs as they are carefully managed.
Jarryn Geary is likely to be back into action at some stage next month.
ONE MORE THING …
Two time A-League winning coach Ernie Merrick has joined the Saints as a mentor for coach Brett Ratten. What can he add this season?
SYDNEY
NEW RECRUITS
Former Port Adelaide ruckman Peter Ladhams has impressed at his new club and put pressure on teammates as he vies for the No. 1 ruck spot.
NEW POSITIONS
Isaac Heeney kicked 36 goals as a medium-sized forward for the Swans last year but is poised to move into the midfield this season.
Heeney has had a full pre-season after ankle, thumb and hand issues interrupted his 2021 campaign.
BACK FROM INJURY
Former No. 1 draft pick Paddy McCartin has been listed by the Swans, having not played an AFL game since Round 16, 2018 due to concussion issues.
McCartin has been training alongside his brother Tom in defence, but can feature at either end of the ground.
DRAFT WATCH
The Swans No. 18 draft pick last year, Angus Sheldrick, has been training with the Sydney forwards in a new role but hopes to become an AFL midfielder in years to come.
INJURY ISSUES
Ruckman Sam Naismith is sidelined indefinitely after having second stage ACL surgery last October.
Callum Mills (Achilles) has been on a modified training program since late last year but is building his workloads and progressing well.
ONE MORE THING …
There is a bit of excitement about what Errol Gulden can do as a second-year player this season, after winning the AFL Players’ Association Best First Year Player award last year.
WEST COAST
NEW RECRUITS
Former Carlton defender-midfielder Sam Petrevski-Seton has settled in well out West but is part of an intriguing midfield selection battle.
NEW POSITIONS
Talented tall Oscar Allen looks set to play as a more permanent forward this year, having been used all around the ground in recent seasons.
BACK FROM INJURY
Small forward Willie Rioli is back at the club, having not played an AFL game since 2019 due to a two-year doping ban.
However, Rioli’s training has been backed off in recent times.
DRAFT WATCH
Pick 14 Campbell Chesser looks to be handling his first pre-season with ease as he pursues a likely early-season AFL debut.
With a few injury issues among the midfield group, the path is clear for Chesser to play in the pre-season games and stake his claim for a round one berth
INJURY ISSUES
Oscar Allen (foot) is set to be sidelined for the opening weeks of the season, as is fellow forward Jamie Cripps after undergoing surgery for a torn pectoral muscle.
Luke Shuey (leg) and Liam Duggan (knee) are also under a cloud entering Round 1, while Jack Darling’s future remains uncertain due to AFL vaccination requirements.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
NEW RECRUITS
Former Hawthorn forward Tim O’Brien has impressed at Whitten Oval and is set to feature as an intercepting defender at his new club, having trained with the backline group all summer.
NEW POSITIONS
Not so much a new position, but there is a position up for grabs for former No. 1 draft pick Jamarra Ugle-Hagan as a key forward alongside Aaron Naughton after Josh Bruce’s injury late last year.
Ugle-Hagan has put his hand up to step up after playing five AFL games on debut last season.
BACK FROM INJURY
Ed Richards has looked sharp on the training track and playing across halfback during match simulation, having had an injury-interrupted 2021 season which saw him feature in just five games.
DRAFT WATCH
Exciting draftee Sam Darcy is recovering from a foot stress fracture and is being carefully managed.
INJURY ISSUES
The Bulldogs are without key forward Josh Bruce (knee) and small forward Toby McLean (knee) until at least very late in the year.
Small forward Cody Weightman (foot) has been on a modified training program after post-season surgery, as has midfielder Adam Treloar.
ONE MORE THING …
The gates to Whitten Oval have largely been locked over summer, with media being granted only a few brief glimpses of training. What secrets does coach Luke Beveridge have up his sleeve?
Originally published as AFL 2022 Pre-season guide: All the latest from every club
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