AFL club previews: Season predictions for 2022

It was another season of being so close, yet so far for Brisbane. Can this exciting club take the next step towards glory, or will it be another year of finals heartbreak?

Chris Honnery

5 min read

January 15, 2022 - 5:00AM

News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom

Can we trust the Suns to improve in 2022?

AFL

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Again, it was a case of being so close yet so far for the Lions in 2021.

Brisbane managed to make it through to the semi finals where a heartbreaking one-point loss to the Bulldogs knocked them out of grand final contention.

Significant injuries also plagued the club throughout the year which proved challenging for the gutsy Lions.

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The Lions’ horror finals record under Chris Fagan continued. Picture: Albert Perez/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Coach: Chris Fagan Captain: Dayne Zorko

WHERE DO THEY FINISH IN 2022?

The Lions have found the formula to make the top four for the past three seasons and there’s no reason why they can’t repeat it again in 2022.

Another year older, another year wiser for the playing group who’s only major hurdle to overcome seems to be their finals record.

Chris Fagan would love nothing more than to overcome the finals hoodoo after being knocked out in a semi-final (2019, 2021) and a preliminary final (2020) as they attempt to end their 20-year premiership drought.

The club will welcome back Cam Rayner and Eric Hipwood from knee injuries next year while former Geelong player Darcy Fort adds some ruck support for Oscar McInerney.

Cam Rayner will be a welcome boost for the Lions. Picture: Josh Woning

BIGGEST IMPROVER

Gun halfback Brandon Starcevich showed just how devastating he can be in defence.

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.

X-FACTOR

It was one of the most heartbreaking moments for the Lions in 2021 and it wasn’t even during the regular season.

Midfield talent Cam Rayner suffered an ACL rupture during a pre-season match - ruling him out for the entire season.

The 22-year-old was tipped for a breakout season with Brisbane before the incident occured but will now have the 2022 season to showcase his incredible talent.

Starved of footy for 12 months, Rayner will no doubt be eager to get back onto the field to add an extra punch to the Lions premiership campaign.

BEST 22 IN 2022

B: Starcevich, Gardiner, Adams

HB: Rich, Andrews, Lester

C: McCluggage, Zorko, Robinson

HF: Bailey, McStay, Rayner

F: McCarthy, Daniher, Cameron

Foll: McInerney, Neale, Lyons

Int: Fort, Ah Chee, Berry, Prior

Sub: Coleman

Emg: Payne, Robertson, Wilmot, Madden, Ellis-Yolmen, Answerth,

Injury: Hipwood (ACL)

COACH STATUS

There’s no denying Chris Fagan’s impact on the club since his arrival for the 2017 season and such has been his influence, the club offered the 60-year-old a contract extension in February, 2021 which will tie him up for another two seasons. He has proven his worth as head coach, dragging the Lions out of the AFL doldrums and into three consecutive finals appearances. A grand final appearance - and even a premiership flag - will no doubt see him talked about in the same light as Brisbane coaching great Leigh Matthews.

WHO IS IN LAST YEAR OF CONTRACT

Dayne Zorko, Dan McStay, Daniel Rich, Darcy Gardiner, Mitch Robinson

INS FOR 2022

Darcy Fort (traded – Geelong), Darcy Wilmot (pick 16), Kai Lohmann (20), James Tunstill (41)

OUTS FROM 2021

Connor Ballenden (delisted), Grant Birchall (retired), Tom Joyce (delisted), Archie Smith (retired), Brock Smith (delisted)

FIRST SIX GAMES AND HOW MANY THEY WIN

Rd 1: Port Adelaide @ GABBA (W)

Rd 2: Essendon @ Marvel (W)

Rd 3: North Melbourne @ GABBA (W)

Rd 4: Geelong @ GMHBA (L)

Rd 5: Collingwood @ GABBA (W)

Rd 6: Gold Coast @ Metricon (W)

Prediction: 5 wins 1 loss

Hot seat: Clarko, Bucks, Ross loom over Dew

— Chris Honnery and Will Hogan

It was a rollercoaster season 2021 for the Suns, with heartbreaking losses and some surprise victories.

Injuries, once again, cruelled the Gold Coast club with Matt Rowell, Jarrod Witts and Zac Smith among a number of players who missed game time.

And, despite the Hugh Greenwood debacle, There remains plenty of room for improvement for the Suns heading into the 2022 season.

But will it happen? Chris Honnery and Will Hogan look at their prospects.

The Suns will be buoyed by the return of captain Jarrod Witts. Picture: AFL Photos/Getty Images

Coach: Stuart Dew

Captain: Jarrod Witts and David Swallow

WHERE DO THEY FINISH IN 2022?

Improvement has to come from the Suns with such an exciting young list and a demographic that usually sees players enter their prime. Matt Rowell, Noah Anderson, Jack Lukosius, Izak Rankine, Ben King and Jack Bowes are now at an age where they should be dominating games of football. But it’s just hard to see them overcome a tough early fixture based on the performances we’ve seen over the past two years. They are capable but there’s not enough trust to back them in.

Prediction: Outside the top eight

Noah Anderson is already elite, but he can burst into superstar status this season. Picture: Michael Klein

BIGGEST IMPROVER

Noah Anderson: He’s already an elite player in the competition, despite the off-Broadway status the Suns occupy. Anderson will always be known to the general punter as the sidekick to Matt Rowell but, internally, Anderson is as rated as high as they get. Had four games in 2021 where 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.

Can Ben King take the next step in 2022? Picture: Getty Images

X-FACTOR

Ben King: He was a shock omission from the top 10 placings in the Suns’ BnF after managing 47 goals last season. But, despite the outrage from several commentators, the glass-half full view is that the 21-year-old nearly kicked 50 goals and still has more to give. Goals certainly weren’t an issue but it’s putting the whole package together consistently that the Suns will be after. They saw it in Round 6 when he took seven marks and kicked five goals in a big win over the Swans. They also saw it in Round 16 when King had a seven-mark, four-goal game in another upset. It’s no surprise his three best games all resulted in wins for his side.

Stuart Dew faces a pressure-packed 2022. Picture: AFL Photos/Getty Images

COACH STATUS

Contracted until the end of 2022, Stuart Dew is undoubtedly in the hottest seat of all coaches this season. Nathan Buckley, Alastair Clarkson and Ross Lyon could all be potentially convinced to rejoin the coaching ranks at season’s end. Dew was a highly-rated assistant at Sydney and took the leap of faith in a job where many think it’s impossible to have success. There’s not much time on his side and, despite a tough early draw, the Suns do have a solid and emerging list that could shock a few sides. If he’s to gain a contract extension then it would have to mean the Suns have exceeded all expectations and play finals for the first time in club history.

WHO IS IN LAST YEAR OF CONTRACT

Ben King, Jack Lukosius, Izak Rankine

INS FOR 2022

Mabior Chol (free agent – Richmond), Mac Andrew (pick five), Charlie Constable (63), Levi Casboult (rookie), Sandy Brock (rookie), Bodhi Uwland (rookie)

OUTS FROM 2021

Will Brodie (traded – Fremantle), Aiden Fyfe (delisted), Hugh Greenwood (delisted), Jarrod Harbrow (retired), Jack Hombsch (retired), Jordan Murdoch (retired), Zac Smith (retired), Luke Towey (retired), Jacob Townsend (delisted)