The expected big improvers at every AFL club for the coming season
There was no shortage of fans questioning why North Melbourne drafted a midfielder over a boom forward prospect in 2020. This might be the year we find out.
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As the AFL season approaches every club will be searching for their own Nick Hind – a lesser-known player ready to explode out of the blocks.
Hind went from unsung recruit to one of the Bombers best week-in, week-out last year as he continually showed dash and carry off halfback.
Our team of AFL experts have shone a light on who might be breakout star at your club in season 2022.
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ADELAIDE
Harry Schoenberg is now 30 games into his career and is showing signs that he will become a top-line player. After featuring eight times during his debut campaign in 2020, the 20-year-old did not miss a match in 2021. He gathered at least 20 disposals in all bar one of the last seven games, ending the campaign around the ball more, rather than at half-forward, where he started it.
BRISBANE.
Gun halfback Brandon Starcevich showed just how devastating he can be in defence in 2021. The 22-year-old was on the cusp of All-Australian selection and was arguably unlucky to miss out. Starcevich has proven to be one of the most stubborn lockdown defenders in the competition playing key roles on the oppositions’ most dynamic forwards. If he starts to get more of the ball he will be a force to be reckoned with.
CARLTON
Those behind the scenes at Ikon Park have always been big fans of Tom De Koning and he still has plenty of scope to become better. He started to show promising glimpses in 2020 before injuries ruled out the first half of 2021. If he can put in a full pre-season and start to string consistent games together the sky is the limit for De Koning. He is big, mobile and has impressive aerial skills.
COLLINGWOOD
Isaac Quaynor was unquestionably Collingwood’s breakthrough player of 2021, but who will be the Magpies’ 2022 version? It looks like being a battle between youngsters Trent Bianco, Caleb Poulter and Finlay Macrae, with all three battling for the final midfield spots this summer. All three showed promising signs in season 2021 and appear poised for a big 2022. Fellow youngster Reef McInnes is another who looms as a big prospect in 2022. Yet to make his debut, the former NGA product has some big wraps on him.
ESSENDON
Harrison Jones looms as the key figure in the Bombers’ ascension up the ladder. Late in 2021, coach Ben Rutten moved away from relying on veteran Cale Hooker — who is now retired — and challenged Jones in tandem with the towering Peter Wright to be tall targets up forward. At just 20, some would argue there is too much reliance on a developing key forward but the positives are that he’s already showing signs he can be what the Bombers desire.
FREMANTLE
Injury has meant that the AFL hasn’t seen too much of talented Fremantle youngster Hayden Young. But if he gets a sustained run in the side he can easily show why he is so talented with his classy kicking.
GEELONG
Tyson Stengle will be the big watch next season. The skilful small forward was cast on to the AFL scrap heap after some off-field indiscretions at Adelaide after a brief stint at Richmond. But the goal kicker appears to have turned it around playing a starring role for Woodville West Torrens in the SANFL premiership last year, reviving his AFL aspirations. The Cats are expected to slot him straight into their forward line to add another genuine goalkicking option. Not sure if Luke Dahlhaus and Shaun Higgins are in the best 22, anymore.
GOLD COAST
Noah Anderson is already an elite player in the competition despite the off-Broadway status the Suns occupy. Anderson will always be known as the sidekick to Matt Rowell to the general punter but internally Anderson is as highly rated as they get. Had four games in 2021 in which he managed 30 disposals and a goal and polled eight Brownlow Medal votes to finish second to Touk Miller in the Suns’ leaderboard. The scary thing is Anderson still has plenty of scope for improvement and as his younger teammates in Alex Davies and Elijah Hollands start to lift, it’ll only elevate Anderson’s ability to dominate through the engine room.
GIANTS
Tanner Bruhn is an elite young talent who was the No. 12 pick in last year’s draft. He played 13 senior games in his debut season and was even trusted in the centre on occasion, with his decision-making and poise among his strengths.
HAWTHORN
We only saw a glimpse of Will Day in 2021 due to a nasty ankle injury which limited him to only five games, but this man can become Hawthorn’s best player in a few years. A great find with pick 13, Day is the classy and versatile ball winner who will quickly become a go-to man either off half back or in the middle. The South Australian is one who always has time with the ball and it is that trademark polish and composure which can help him become a genuine star of the competition. Only played 16 games in total but now that Shaun Burgoyne has retired Day, who is still only 20, will become the new silk and, potentially, face of the next generation Hawks.
MELBOURNE
After playing just the seven senior games in 2020, Alex Neal-Bullen solidified his place in the Melbourne line-up to play every game for the Demons in their premiership charge. The forward kicked 15 goals for the year and had 24 disposals and one major in the Grand Final. Arguably the Demons’ biggest improver, Neal-Bullen rated elite as a forward for disposals, contested possessions, forward-half pressure points and tackles and above average for forward 50 ground ball gets.
NORTH MELBOURNE
After showing promising signs in his debut season, youngster Will Phillips will be set for a big 2022. The man wearing the famous No. 29 of club legend Brent “Boomer” Harvey played 16 games in his debut season after being snapped up at pick No. 3 in the 2020 national draft. He showed good signs in his debut season, but there is still huge upside and a big summer in the gym should see him reach new heights in 2022. One to watch in 2022.
PORT ADELAIDE
Zak Butters made the All-Australian squad in 2020 but injuries hurt his 2021 campaign, just when it looked like he would move into the midfield. With the Power looking within to fix its need of midfield depth, Butters is one of the youngsters primed to get more time in the Port engine room. This could elevate him to elite status in the competition, which we have seen in bursts so far.
RICHMOND
Liam Baker was the one Tiger who took a step forward in 2021. The ever-reliable Baker was thrown to all parts of the ground to fill holes in Damien Hardwick’s side and showed his versatility through the midfield and across half-forward. Baker’s year was one of the silver linings following the Tigers torrid injury run. Had always been a reliable contributor at half back but it was through the midfield where his ball winning ability and decision-making really shone. A settled position, wherever that is, and the rookie-draft steal from 2018 can continue to improve his stocks.
ST KILDA
A broken jaw following a brutal collision with David McKay stopped short a season in which Saints’ smooth mover Hunter Clark took another step forward. Has looked at home at half back but it’s in the midfield where he really could be the player the Saints need. His Round 1 2021 effort against the Giants in the wet was a glimpse of what he is capable of. All he needs now is to force his way into the middle of the ground and continue his rise.
SYDNEY
Dylan Stephens might be the big winner from Jordan Dawson leaving for the Crows. Stephens was the No. 5 draft pick two years ago but has played only 15 games since. He might be able to grab a wing spot with a strong summer – but either way his opportunities should spike significantly.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Going left-field here for a player who hasn’t even pulled on a Dogs jumper yet. Tim O’Brien arrived at the Whitten Oval from Hawthorn as an unrestricted free agent after eight seasons and 97 games, mainly as a key forward. However, in the second half of 2021 O’Brien, 27, played in defence and came into his own with his high leaping aerial skills shining out. The Dogs are crying out for another big tall to help out Alex Keath and O‘Brien’s athleticism fits into the way Beveridge likes his team to play. And the timing proved more than fortuitous given the surprise retirement of Easton Wood.
WEST COAST
Oscar Allen has the tools to become a star of the competition. The 22-year-old played all bar one match last season and finished 10th in the Eagles’ best and fairest. Further improvement can be expected next year. Josh Kennedy remains a major focal point but Allen can help share the load a little more especially with the possible omission of Jack Darling.
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