Mick McGuane makes his call on every club’s players aged 30 and above for 2022
Ruthless decisions are needed at Carlton to create a cultural shift in 2022. And it starts with team selection and list management, writes Mick McGuane.
AFL
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
How does your club’s age profile rank compared to other teams in the competition, and which elder statesman will be getting a tap on the shoulder at year’s end?
Collingwood premiership star and football analyst Mick McGuane makes his call on every club’s over 30s going into 2020.
And he argues why Dustin Martin should captain Richmond next year.
Stream selected Fox Footy shows on Kayo Freebies completely free this June including AFL 360, On The Couch, Bounce & more. No Credit Card. No-brainer. Register Free Now
ADELAIDE
Average age of 2021 list: 23.49
Competition rank: Youngest list in AFL
Players 30 or above in 2021: David Mackay, Bryce Gibbs (retired), Tom Lynch, Rory Sloane, Taylor Walker
Goal for 2022: Personal and team growth
Some strong conversations are needed at the Crows, in particular with regards to the futures of Lynch and Daniel Talia. They both offer experience and leadership, but Matthew Nicks must find out where their minds are at and whether their bodies can withstand the rigours of another pre-season.
Lynch finished top 10 in their best and fairest last year, but I don’t believe his year was as good as they thought internally. At his best he is the link between defence and attack but he needs to be fully fit to play that role.
And Talia has played over 200 games and he’s been a consistent lockdown defender, but with his foot tendon injury can he get back to the player he was? I’m not sure, but I think he is more safe than Lynch.
BRISBANE
Average age of 2021 list: 23.77
Competition rank: Fifth youngest in AFL
Players 30 or above in 2021: Dayne Zorko, Grant Birchall, Mitch Robinson, Daniel Rich
Goal for 2022: Inject speed into defence
The recruitment of Grant Birchall has served its purpose, and perhaps a tap on the shoulder at the season’s end may be forthcoming.
CARLTON
Average age of 2021 list: 24.19
Competition rank: 11th oldest in AFL
Players 30 or above in 2021: Marc Murphy, Eddie Betts, Liam Jones, Ed Curnow, Levi Casboult
Goal for 2022: Defensive system is the priority
Ruthless decisions are needed to set high standards and create a cultural shift in 2022.
The Blues went out and invested heavily with the recruitment of Adam Saad and Zac Williams, which indicates they thought their finals window was open. Their abysmal failure this year has been on the back of them being soft at the selection table.
The relationships of coach David Teague and players has probably got in the way of logic. Some examples include the decision to give Betts another year and not omitting Murphy earlier in the season to make a strong statement.
As good a servant as Casboult has been, his time has come and Tom De Koning is the future. Betts’ illustrious career is over but a transition into development coaching is on the cards.
Ed Curnow is also on thin ice.
COLLINGWOOD
Average age of 2021 list: 24.08
Competition rank: 7th youngest in AFL
Players 30 or above during 2021: Levi Greenwood (retired), Scott Pendlebury, Jordan Roughead, Steele Sidebottom, Chris Mayne, Jeremy Howe, Mason Cox.
Goal for 2022: Fast track their youth
The Pendlebury situation is intriguing. I think he’ll want to play on and so will the club, so he’ll get another contract and so he should. Although, it’s a great opportunity for him to demonstrate selflessness by giving up the captaincy. Doing so while still being there to help the transition would only add to his legacy.
Adams is the obvious captain in waiting; he’s ruthless, sets high standards and demands excellence from teammates.
The three over 30’s that will come under serious scrutiny are Mayne, Cox and, to a lesser degree, Roughead. Although, Mark Keane and Jack Madgen’s slower than anticipated development probably works in Roughead’s favour.
Sidebottom is contracted and is not going anywhere, while Howe is worth persisting with to support Darcy Moore next year. Also, please stop the rot about Jordan De Goey being trade bait. He’ll be a Pie for life.
ESSENDON
Average age of 2021 list: 23.72
Competition rank: Fourth youngest in AFL
Players 30 or above in 2021: David Zaharakis, Michael Hurley, Cale Hooker, Patrick Ambrose, Andrew Phillips
Goal for 2022: Develop a better balance between attack and defence
Their stocks are rising, but they must strike a better balance between attack and defence. As for their over 30’s, questions will be being asked internally about Zaharakis and Hurley.
We know they’ve been terrific servants of the club, but they’re at the point of their footy lives where they’re both now in the grandstands more than on the field. Hurley probably stays, but time may be up for Zaharakis.
They’re a young team – the fourth youngest in the league – but they still have the likes of Dyson Heppell, Dylan Shiel and Zach Merrett to help the young kids along.
Hooker has turned his career around this year and has been Essendon’s version of Crow Taylor Walker. I’ll put my hand up and say I got that wrong as I thought Hooker was almost finished, but he’s been a revelation this year and he’ll stay to help Harry Jones’ development.
FREMANTLE
Average age of 2021 list: 23.95
Competition rank: Sixth youngest in AFL
Players 30 or above in 2021: Stephen Hill, David Mundy, Nat Fyfe, Michael Walters, Travis Colyer
Goal for 2022: Get some finals experience under their belts
Transition period is over – it’s time for finals. But they need to bring in another key forward.
GEELONG
Average age of 2021 list: 25.28
Competition rank: Oldest in the AFL
Players 30 or above in 2021: Joel Selwood, Shaun Higgins, Lachie Henderson, Patrick Dangerfield, Rhys Stanley, Tom Hawkins, Gary Rohan, Zach Tuohy, Mitch Duncan, Mark Blicavs, Isaac Smith, Josh Jenkins
Goal for 2022: Make the hard calls
It’s flag or bust this year after their bold moves at the end of last season. As for next year, my advice is to stop delaying the inevitable.
They’ve become a victim of their own success, because they’ve missed the finals only twice since 2003. Off the back of narrowly missing a flag last year, they topped up by adding Higgins, Smith and Jeremy Cameron to work with Tom Hawkins.
The most 30-year-olds that have played in a premiership side since 2000 is six, which was Brisbane in 2003. Geelong also did it with six players in 2011 and then Hawthorn when it saluted in 2014 and 2015.
The time, however, always comes when you must regenerate. The Cats this year have gone boom or bust. If they don’t get the boom right, the bust has to happen with some hard calls on a host of veterans.
GOLD COAST
Average age of 2021 list: 23.59
Competition rank: Third youngest in AFL
Players 30 or above in 2021: Zac Smith, Jarrod Harbow, Rory Thompson
Goal for 2022: To get mentally tougher
Coach Stuart Dew must become ruthless in every area of his coaching. Their performances fluctuate from good to bad far too frequently. Is their too much self interest as opposed to a team first mentality?
GWS GIANTS
Average age of 2021 list: 24.37
Competition rank: Seventh oldest
Players 30 or above in 2021: Lachlan Keeffe, Shane Mumford, Phil Davis, Matt de Boer, Sam Reid, Callan Ward
Goal for 2022: Eradicate inconsistent performances
The Giants have been somewhat of an anomaly this year. Young teams often mean inconsistent performances, but some of their best displays in 2021 have been when their youngest team is on the park.
HAWTHORN
Average age of 2021 list: 24.29
Competition rank: Ninth oldest in AFL
Players 30 or above in 2021: Shaun Burgoyne, Ben McEvoy, Tom Scully (retired), Liam Shiels, Luke Breust, Jon Ceglar, Keegan Brooksby
Goal for 2022: Shore up their defence
The Hawks needs to keep shoring up their defence, which they’ve been doing well. It is clear that Alastair Clarkson is building his new-look side from the back.
Of their older players, the big one debate involves Jack Gunston. With his back issues, would another club be interested in having a look at him? If I was Collingwood or Fremantle, I’d at least have a medical done on him because he would be great working with some of their young forwards.
Breust is contracted so he’ll stay. Ceglar is hot and cold, so I think his future is up in the air. Could Shiels end up at another club like Jordan Lewis, Sam Mitchell, Grant Birchall and Luke Hodge?
Burgoyne has already announced it’ll be his last season, but at times looks like he could play on.
MELBOURNE
Average age of 2021 list: 24.48
Competition rank: Sixth oldest in AFL
Players 30 or above in 2021: Nathan Jones, Jake Melksham, Majak Daw, Neville Jetta, Mitch Brown, Michael Hibberd
Goal for 2022: Continue their team first approach
The Demons just need to stay the course, and to make sure that selflessness and purposeful hard work remains a foundation of their game and Simon Goodwin’s coaching creed.
They’ve gone from a group with great individuals that play well to a group of players that play for the team and are getting results.
In terms of their list, Jones has been a super competitor and a great servant who’s not finished yet, but he’ll probably be tapped on the shoulder at the end of the year and rightfully so.
Melksham has been a serviceable recruit for the Dees, but is he going to be part of their process beyond 2022? There’s an argument he won’t be. Jetta is probably past his use-by date, and it’s probably curtains for Brown and Daw as well.
NORTH MELBOURNE
Average age of 2021 list: 23.59
Competition rank: Second youngest in AFL
Players 30 or above in 2021: Robbie Tarrant, Todd Goldstein, Jack Ziebell, Ben Cunnington, Aaron Hall
Goal for 2022: Onwards and upwards
The Roos are improving in a lot of areas of their game and there’s no going back. That attitude needs to be embraced by their senior players, as there’s an argument some of them can become quite territorial and selfish in where their standing is and if challenged strongly about their performances.
They must embrace the younger generation and collectively sign off on having the hardest pre-season they could possibly have in 2022. If they do, they could rapidly improve. I see all of their over 30’s staying on.
PORT ADELAIDE
Average age of 2021 list: 24.34
Competition rank: Eighth oldest in AFL
Players 30 or above in 2021: Charlie Dixon, Travis Boak, Tyson Goldsack, Tom Rockliff, Steven Motlop, Robbie Gray, Hamish Hartlett, Tom Jonas
Goal for 2022: Take your chances
These windows of ultimate glory don’t get gifted to you. They are close but as recent as 2020 they’ve still failed when it mattered most despite the great job Jason Cripps has done in compiling a strong list.
Dixon, Boak, Motlop, Gray and Jonas probably all survive, but I think Rockliff’s AFL future is under serious doubt. Hartlett is in the same boat despite how respected he is internally.
RICHMOND
Average age of 2021 list: 24.73
Competition rank: Fifth oldest in the AFL
Players 30 or above in 2021: Shane Edwards, Jack Riewoldt, Bachar Houli, Dylan Grimes, David Astbury, Trent Cotchin, Dustin Martin
Goal for 2022: Maintain the hunger
It’s time for Martin to captain the Tigers. It would be a big call for Cotchin to hand it over after three flags, but it might be the best for both men. Some may not see Dusty as a captain, but I certainly see the investment he makes in his team and his teammates.
He wins a Norm Smith Medal and five minutes later you don’t see it around his neck alongside his premiership medal. He’s already tucked it away, which tells me it’s all about the team to him. All the best captains have a team-first approach, and I think Dusty has that in spades.
If he doesn’t want it, Nick Vlastuin is another that strikes me as a good option. As for their list calls, Houli has been a superb player but does he want it enough to keep going? Is Riewoldt prepared to go around again? Edwards should play on, and ditto Astbury and Grimes.
ST KILDA
Average age of 2021 list: 25.14
Competition rank: Second oldest in AFL
Players 30 or above in 2021: Shaun McKernan, James Frawley, Jarryn Geary, Paddy Ryder, Dan Hannebery
Goal for 2022: Cut your losses
Competitiveness and effort cannot be compromised, as too many players at St Kilda pick and choose. As much as they’ve brought in a few players for insurance purposes – such as Frawley and McKernan – it hasn’t worked.
Do they really need them on the list? Pressure will come on Jake Carlisle as well, who’s approaching 30. Geary has been an incredible warrior, but injuries and his age profile is against him so there may be a tap on the shoulder for him.
Ryder survives providing he stays motivated and healthy.
What about Hannebery? They’ve invested a lot in him for little return. Unfortunately he is a shadow of his former self and it seems they’re at a crossroads in terms of a decision with him. He has another year on his contract, but do they cut their losses and admit it hasn’t worked? Maybe some ruthless calls are needed.
SYDNEY
Average age of 2021 list: 24.22
Competition rank: Ninth youngest in AFL
Players 30 or above in 2021: Josh Kennedy, Lance Franklin, Dane Rampe, Callum Sinclair, Tom Hickey
Goal for 2022: Continue the rebuild
I love the way they’ve gone about it and the fruits of their patience will be exciting and worth it.
WEST COAST
Average age of 2021 list: 24.76
Competition rank: Fourth oldest in AFL
Players 30 or above in 2021: Shannon Hurn, Josh Kennedy, Jack Redden, Nic Naitanui, Nathan Vardy, Luke Shuey, Mark Hutchings, Brad Sheppard
Goal for 2022: Master away games.
To contend at the pointy end of the year, winning on the road is a must. They’ve had six away games this year and they’re 2-4.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Average age of 2021 list: 24.77
Competition rank: Third oldest in AFL
Players 30 or above in 2021: Taylor Duryea, Easton Wood, Stefan Martin
Goal for 2022: Don’t waste the opportunities. Stay in the moment.
This list is invigorating and there’s a real connection among the players who appear to have a team first approach. Luke Beveridge has good cohesion, synergy and alignment in all the key areas right now.
Their identity is strong. They’re right in the window, so don’t waste the golden opportunity in front of you. As for list calls, Martin has served his purpose and currently he’s a week to week proposition, so I think there’ll be a conversation there with the emergence of Jordon Sweet to complement Tim English.
Wood is a professional who prepares well, so will play on, as will Duryea.
TV network responds to bombshell Dusty pic
AFL broadcaster Fox Footy has released a statement after a photo of Richmond legend Dustin Martin sent the footy world into a tailspin.
AFL confirms worst kept secret about 2025
After experimenting in recent years, the AFL will make a permanent change to the fixture as part of a massive new TV deal.