Mick McGuane ranks and reviews every AFL club’s midfield for the 2022 season

Midfields are the engine room of every AFL side. But does your club have what it takes to compete with the best? Read Mick McGuane’s rankings and analysis.

Midfields are the engine room of every AFL side.

We’re not just talking about the on-ballers who rack up the possessions, but also the ruckmen who tap it down to them, plus their influence around the ground and the wingmen who play key roles both in offensive and defensive transition.

And it was quite clear last season that the two teams who made the Grand Final – Melbourne and Western Bulldogs – were also the two teams with the best midfield groups.

Melbourne’s Max Gawn was the starting All-Australian ruckman and had Demons teammate Clayton Oliver and Western Bulldogs ball-winner Jack Macrae at his feet in the centre square.

Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli and Norm Smith Medal winner Christian Petracca were both named at half-forward in the All-Australian side, given their ability to also float forward and hit the scoreboard.

In ranking the best midfields heading into the 2022 season, I assessed each team on strength at stoppages and a balance between contested and uncontested possessions, as well as looking for effective ball-users, good decision-makers and transition runners.

Ruckmen were also taken into account based on their stoppage influence, especially hit-outs to advantage and their ability to either get back to support their defenders or slide forward to be an aerial threat.

Agree? Disagree? Cast your votes and comment below to have your say.

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Clayton Oliver celebrates a goal in the 2021 Grand Final. Picture: Getty Images

1. MELBOURNE

The top-liners: Clayton Oliver (22 Games in 2021, 123 Average SuperCoach Score), Max Gawn (22, 121), Christian Petracca (22, 111), Luke Dunstan (12, 92), James Harmes (15, 87), Ed Langdon (21, 83), Jack Viney (12, 83), Luke Jackson (21, 72), James Jordon (21, 69), Angus Brayshaw (22, 67)

The top-ups: Oskar Baker (1, 67), Blake Howes (0, 0), Andy Moniz-Wakefield (0, 0), Fraser Rosman (0, 0), Taj Woewodin (0, 0)

MICK SAYS

You just have to admire what the Melbourne midfield has become. They are no longer a selfish group but instead possess a great understanding of surrendering the ‘me’ for the ‘we’. Max Gawn, Christian Petracca, Clayton Oliver, James Harmes, Angus Brayshaw, Jack Viney, Ed Langdon and recruit Luke Dunstan are a tough, hardworking and extremely selfless group. After the 15 minute mark of the third quarter of last year’s Grand Final against the Western Bulldogs, the Demons’ midfield dominated and scored a remarkable 44 points from centre clearances. This group relishes the contest, is prepared to hunt after the footy post-clearance and has improved its balance of pursuing the loose ball with layers of defensive support. One room for improvement is still defensive transition. The Demons’ ability to reference the opposition’s most dangerous option is something for coach Simon Goodwin to continually challenge.

2. WESTERN BULLDOGS

The top-liners: Jack Macrae (22 Games in 2021, 129 Average SuperCoach Score), Marcus Bontempelli (22, 120), Josh Dunkley (11, 103), Tom Liberatore (21, 103), Tim English (18, 89), Adam Treloar (13, 89), Lachie Hunter (21, 88), Bailey Smith (22, 87), Roarke Smith (9, 60)

The top-ups: Jordon Sweet (5, 59), Stefan Martin (7, 55), Louis Butler (1, 30), Robbie McComb (0, 0), Charlie Parker (0, 0)

MICK SAYS

Marcus Bontempelli is hands down one of the best players in the competition. Combine him with Tom Liberatore, Jack Macrae, Bailey Smith, Josh Dunkley, Adam Treloar and Lachie Hunter and you have one very handy midfield group. All of these midfielders and wingers are high possession winners who tend to play to their strengths around stoppages. A strength of the Bulldogs’ game is their ability to share the footy in a congested situation and get it out to a player in space to kick the ball. Hunter and Smith are prepared to run hard and spread the ground on the outside. With another pre-season under his belt, I’m expecting big things from young ruckman Tim English in 2022.

Marcus Bontempelli is one of the best players in the competition for the Bulldogs. Picture: Michael Klein

3. GEELONG

The top-liners: Cameron Guthrie (20 Games in 2021, 113 Average SuperCoach Score), Patrick Dangerfield (13, 104), Joel Selwood (21, 101), Mitch Duncan (10, 99), Jonathon Ceglar (12, 90), Sam Menegola (20, 90), Isaac Smith (21, 89), Rhys Stanley (16, 88), Brandan Parfitt (21, 82), Quinton Narkle (13, 60), Esava Ratugolea (13, 56)

The top-ups: Max Holmes (7, 61), Toby Conway (0, 0), Oliver Dempsey (0, 0), Mitchell Knevitt (0, 0), Flynn Kroeger (0, 0), Cooper Stephens (0, 0), Nick Stevens (0, 0), Paul Tsapatolis (0, 0), Cooper Whyte (0, 0), James Willis (0, 0)

MICK SAYS

Age shall not weary them. Dismiss the Joel Selwood and Patrick Dangerfield-led Geelong midfield at your peril. The Cats are still loaded with enough hardness and creative flare to generate ample opportunities for their forwards. Geelong plays to their style on the back of a strong, contested brand which helps them kickstart their kick-mark, uncontested style. Don’t underestimate their proactive footballer’s minds, as it allows them to get after the loose ball and as a group they were as good as anyone at winning contested possessions post-clearance last year. Their stoppage game is also in good shape.
4. PORT ADELAIDE

The top-liners: Ollie Wines (22 Games in 2021, 113 Average SuperCoach Score), Travis Boak (21, 106), Scott Lycett (18, 94), Karl Amon (22, 93), Willem Drew (22, 87), Xavier Duursma (9, 72), Trent Dumont (14, 64), Miles Bergman (19, 61)

The top-ups: Jed McEntee (1, 3), Sam Hayes (0, 0), Hugh Jackson (0, 0), Jackson Mead (0, 0), Dante Visentini (0, 0)

MICK SAYS

Ruckman Scott Lycett is a warrior who his midfielders feed off on the back of his exceptional work rate and competitive attitude. Ollie Wines was magnificent last year on his way to winning the Brownlow Medal and Travis Boak is a professional who diligently prepares to still give the best version of himself. Willem Drew is a good task-oriented player but needs to take his game to another level. Recruit Trent Dumont brings hardness around the ball and should prove a handy relief midfielder. I’d like to see Ken Hinkley use the dynamic Connor Rozee and Zac Butters more through the middle part of the ground. My one big concern – who rucks if Lycett gets injured? Sam Hayes is entering his fifth season and hasn’t played an AFL game. Is he good enough? If not, the Power would need to look to the likes of forwards Charlie Dixon, Todd Marshall and Jeremy Finlayson to fill the ruck void, which is not ideal.

Travis Boak (left) and Ollie Wines (right) headline a strong Port Adelaide midfield. Picture: Getty Images

5. BRISBANE

The top-liners: Jarryd Lyons (22 Games in 2021, 118 Average SuperCoach Score), Dayne Zorko (21, 109), Hugh McCluggage (22, 100), Lachie Neale (15, 99), Oscar McInerney (21, 94), Mitch Robinson (20, 74), Deven Robertson (15, 63), Rhys Mathieson (10, 62), Jaxon Prior (15, 46), Jarrod Berry (9, 49)

The top-ups: Harry Sharp (2, 36), Cameron Ellis-Yolmen (0, 0), Darcy Fort (0, 0), Kalin Lane (0, 0), James Tunstill (0, 0)

MICK SAYS

The Lions have a deep midfield group, but coach Chris Fagan needs to be more daring and give lesser names an opportunity to run through there more often. The mainstays in Lachie Neale, Dayne Zorko and Jarryd Lyons are all elite. We know that. But the Lions will become less predictable and more dynamic in the engine room if the likes of Hugh McCluggage, Jarrod Berry, Zac Bailey, Deven Robertson and a fit Cam Rayner are given more time on the ball. Rhys Mathieson should also be used whenever a good run-with role presents. Acceptance of a secondary role for Neale, Zorko and Lyons up forward is paramount. Look what Melbourne achieved with a similar selfless approach. Brisbane is already a strong territory team and can only become stronger with different combinations that will challenge opposition midfields.

6. ESSENDON

The top-liners: Zach Merrett (22 Games in 2021, 115 Average SuperCoach Score), Darcy Parish (22, 114), Kyle Langford (17, 87), Andrew McGrath (14, 85), Peter Wright (20, 82), Dylan Shiel (7, 74), Sam Draper (12, 73), Jye Caldwell (2, 70),

Matt Guelfi (17, 58), Nikolas Cox (20, 57), Sam Durham (6, 61)

The top-ups: Andrew Phillips (6, 84), Nick Bryan (1, 51), Ben Hobbs (0, 0), Cian McBride (0, 0)

MICK SAYS

Get excited, Essendon fans. Sam Draper is on track to rocket up the charts as one of the prominent ruckmen of the competition this year and serve as a driving force in the Bombers’ midfield. Draper is just 21 games into his AFL career but should give the Essendon midfielders no shortage of hit-outs this year to kickstart their attack. Draper’s energy is infectious and he’s happy to get around the ground and support his defence as well as float forward and hit the scoreboard, which means he will become a weapon. Zach Merrett is a star, Darcy Parish has taken his game to another level and a reinvigorated Jake Stringer adds a different dynamic to the Essendon onball brigade. Add in the professionalism of Dylan Shiel and a bit of Jye Caldwell and possibly draftee Ben Hobbs this year and the Bombers have all the ingredients in the midfield to be a finals side again this season. Don’t be surprised to see the silky Andrew McGrath start at halfback this year and rotate with Merrett. At centre bounces, whoever starts at halfback will look to leave his opponent as soon as the ball is in motion and briefly look to support their midfield.

Sam Draper is set for a big year for Essendon. Picture: Michael Klein

7. GWS

The top-liners: Josh Kelly (21 Games in 2021, 107 Average SuperCoach Score), Tim Taranto (22, 97), Jacob Hopper (21, 97), Callan Ward (22, 93), Matt Flynn (12, 87), Tom Green (17, 79), Adam Kennedy (9, 65), Matt de Boer (9, 62), Stephen Coniglio (5, 60), Jarrod Brander (11, 59), Xavier O’Halloran (14, 55)

The top-ups: Kieren Briggs (5, 72), Finn Callaghan (0, 0), Cooper Hamilton (0, 0), Braydon Preuss (0, 0)

MICK SAYS

The Giants midfield group is a classic case of names on paper who haven’t got it done in recent years. And the question I’ve got going into 2022 is – how big a loss will Shane Mumford be? The onus goes on to Matt Flynn, Braydon Preuss and Kieren Briggs in the ruck department. Who wants to be the No. 1 ruck? I think Flynn is the man – and he needs to be – with a starting midfield group of Jacob Hopper, Callan Ward and any one of Josh Kelly, Tom Green, Tim Taranto and even a bit of Matt de Boer. Injuries to one side, Stephen Coniglio is a shadow of the player I thought he would become when he signed his monster contract. I love what he stands for as a leader, but I don’t think even coach Leon Cameron knows where he will play his best footy again when fully fit. I suspect if he is to recapture his best footy, he needs significant time around the ball.

8. RICHMOND

The top-liners: Toby Nankervis (16 Games in 2021, 94 Average SuperCoach Score), Dustin Martin (16, 93), Dion Prestia (9, 85), Jack Graham (22, 84), Trent Cotchin (17, 76), Shane Edwards (16, 74), Marlion Pickett (18, 66), Kamdyn McIntosh (17, 61), Riley Collier-Dawkins (9, 57), Jack Ross (11, 54), Ivan Soldo (0, 0)

The top-ups: Josh Caddy (6, 74), Will Martyn (2, 37), Maurice Rioli (2, 23, Samson Ryan (1, -1), Judson Clarke (0, 0), Mate Colina (0, 0), Noah Cumberland (0, 0), Tyler Sonsie (0, 0)

MICK SAYS

From all accounts, Dustin Martin is as hungry as ever in ominous signs for opposition midfields. He’s a terrific centre bounce player who wins pure clearances and has the power, vision and ball use to make them impactful further up the ground. Martin also lifts his teammates around him. But I’d be challenging coach Damien Hardwick to change the mix of those players around him. As great as Trent Cotchin has been, when him and Dion Prestia play onball together the Tigers can look a bit pedestrian. Shai Bolton offers burst speed that troubles opposition midfielders and makes opposition defences uncomfortable. He should be spending more time through the middle. Liam Baker also provides a different dynamic and Kane Lambert is another option, having been used as a high forward in recent years. With the return of Ivan Soldo from a knee injury will the Tigers go back to a two-pronged ruck set up with Toby Nankervis? That will be an interesting watch.

Shai Bolton needs to spend more time through the Richmond midfield. Picture: Michael Klein

9. ST KILDA

The top-liners: Jack Steele (22 Games in 2021, 126 Average SuperCoach Score), Rowan Marshall (13, 99), Zak Jones (13, 93), Brad Crouch (20, 90), Paddy Ryder (12, 84), Jack Billings (18, 83), Sebastian Ross (20, 79), Jade Gresham (3, 69), Dan Hannebery (2, 67), Daniel McKenzie (12, 65), Jarryn Geary (3, 55), Jack Bytel (13, 48)

The top-ups: Tom Campbell (9, 57), Max Heath (0, 0), Mitch Owens (0, 0), Jack Peris (0, 0), Marcus Windhager (0, 0)

MICK SAYS

Jack Steele is a star. No fuss, no fanfare. He’s a consummate professional and a captain you would want to play alongside who gets it done week in, week out. The loss of Luke Dunstan is not ideal and coach Brett Ratten will need to be creative and add another player into the primary midfield fold, which also includes Brad Crouch, Zak Jones, Seb Ross and a bit of Jack Bytel and Daniel McKenzie. Is Jade Gresham – off an Achilles injury – that man? It depends if he has the fitness and willingness to run both ways in the midfield. Brad Hill and Dan Hannebery are high-profile recruits who need to step up, as does Jack Billings. Will recruit Tom Campbell get an opportunity in the ruck, alongside Paddy Ryder? Rowan Marshall is better used as a starting forward and then he can ruck. The Saints ranked 16th last year for centre clearance differential, which will be a key focus area this season.

10. SYDNEY

The top-liners: Callum Mills (18 Games in 2021, 112 Average SuperCoach Score), Luke Parker (22, 109), Tom Hickey (20, 103), Josh Kennedy (21, 93), Callum Sinclair (4, 82), Oliver Florent (22, 76), Peter Ladhams (15, 76), James Rowbottom (15, 75), Chad Warner (12, 69), Sam Naismith (0, 0)

The top-ups: Dylan Stephens (6, 31), Lewis Taylor (1, 31), Lachlan McAndrew (0, 0), Matty Roberts (0, 0), Angus Sheldrick (0, 0), Corey Warner (0, 0)

MICK SAYS

Here is what I’d like to see more of – Tom Papley attending centre bounces and spending more minutes as a midfielder. He did it to great effect in the final three rounds of last year and it’s a move that should absolutely continue. Papley brings a different skill set to the rest of the Swans midfielders as well as energy and agility, which complements the likes of Luke Parker, Callum Mills and Josh Kennedy well. Start him onball and give him the creative licence to push forward when he likes. The continued growth of Oliver Florent, Chad Warner and James Rowbottom will hold Sydney in good stead, plus a pinch of Isaac Heeney and Will Hayward rotating through the midfield. The recruitment of ruckman Peter Ladhams to support Tom Hickey will also prove important. The Swans improved in many key statistical areas last season and I’m expecting a further spike this year on the back of another pre-season for the younger players.

Tom Papley should be getting to more centre bounces. Picture: Michael Klein

11. COLLINGWOOD

The top-liners: Brodie Grundy (20 Games in 2021, 115 Average SuperCoach Score), Taylor Adams (14, 95), Scott Pendlebury (18, 90), Steele Sidebottom (21, 87), Jordan De Goey (20, 85), Will Hoskin-Elliott (20, 70), Josh Daicos (17, 68), Patrick Lipinski (9, 66), Caleb Poulter (11, 60), Nathan Murphy (13, 45), Finlay Macrae (9, 38)

The top-ups: Tyler Brown (6, 52), Aiden Begg (0, 0), Nick Daicos (0, 0), Arlo Draper (0, 0), Harvey Harrison (0, 0), Reef McInnes (0, 0), Cooper Murley (0, 0)

MICK SAYS

I’m intrigued to see what new coach Craig McRae does with the Magpies’ midfield. There’s the tried and true group – Brodie Grundy, Taylor Adams, Scott Pendlebury and Steele Sidebottom. But does he look to reinvigorate this area of the ground with more minutes for Josh Daicos, Finlay Macrae, Patrick Lipinski, Jack Crisp and even draftee Nick Daicos? The positive talk out of Collingwood is Grundy is as fit as ever after a terrific pre-season and that must carry over into the season proper. The Pies need him to recapture the mantle of the best ruckman in the competition if they intend to press into finals calculations. In my opinion, Collingwood has two matchwinners – Jordan De Goey and Jamie Elliott, who are both renowned goalkickers. But will McRae use them up the ground at the expense of their damaging forward craft? Watch this space.

12. WEST COAST

The top-liners: Nic Naitanui (22 Games in 2021, 115 Average SuperCoach Score), Andrew Gaff (21, 91), Jack Redden (18, 91), Luke Shuey (7, 90), Elliot Yeo (12, 87), Tim Kelly (19, 85), Dom Sheed (22, 82),

The top-ups: Luke Edwards (7, 50), Bailey Williams (6, 40), Isiah Winder (1, 31), Greg Clark (0, 0), Brady Hough (0, 0), Callum Jamieson (0, 0), Zane Trew (0, 0), Jack Williams (0, 0)

MICK SAYS

The Eagles midfield leaves themselves open for criticism. Due to the influence of ruckman Nic Naitanui, they ranked first in the competition for centre bounce clearance differential last year and sixth for overall clearance differential. But they also ranked dead last for loose ball differential and uncontested possession differential. Too often last year, I witnessed a lack of work rate and desire to go after the loose footy from this group. It’s something that coach Adam Simpson desperately needs to address. That said, the Eagles should be boosted by getting more footy out of Luke Shuey and Elliot Yeo after injury-interrupted 2021 campaigns. But does Simpson go back to the tried and true combination or change up his midfield mix? Recruit Sam Petrevski-Seton could add a point of difference if he’s fit enough to play there. Until Dom Sheed works as hard in defence as he does in offence, questions will be asked of him. The big question is: Is this midfield group hungry enough?

The West Coast midfielders need to make more of Nic Naitanui’s ruck dominance. Picture: Michael Klein

13. HAWTHORN

The top-liners: Tom Mitchell (22 Games in 2021, 117 Average SuperCoach Score), Jaeger O’Meara (18, 97), Ben McEvoy (22, 89), Liam Shiels (21, 78), Daniel Howe (19, 77), James Worpel (20, 73), Tom Phillips (22, 70), Jai Newcombe (6, 53),

The top-ups: Ned Reeves (5, 82), Max Lynch (2, 55), Connor Downie (1, 44), Sam Butler (0, 0), Ned Long (0, 0), Connor MacDonald (0, 0), Fionn O’Hara (0, 0), Jai Serong (0, 0), Josh Ward (0, 0)

MICK SAYS

With Jonathon Ceglar gone, new coach Sam Mitchell has some decisions to make. Does he pull Ben McEvoy from the backline to be No. 1 ruck once again? Or is the time right to develop Ned Reeves and recruit Max Lynch in the position? Lynch has played just three AFL games but has future No. 1 ruckman written all over him. You only have to look at what he did while playing for Collingwood against Melbourne star Max Gawn in Round 13 last year. The on-ballers largely look after themselves. We know what Tom Mitchell, Jaeger O’Meara and James Worpel bring. But the coach must also trust draftee Josh Ward to join that group this year. He’s been flying over summer and deserves a chance early in the season. Chad Wingard fills the “spitter role” nicely as that player who can get up to the centre bounce and then go forward. The Hawks midfield group does not have a problem finding the ball, but the one thing I would like to see is them kicking more goals. Mitchell, O’Meara and Worpel managed only 23 majors between them from a combined 60 games last year.

14. CARLTON

The top-liners: Sam Walsh (22 Games in 2021, 117 Average SuperCoach Score), Adam Cerra (18, 90), Ed Curnow (22, 86), Marc Pittonet (13, 85), Patrick Cripps (20, 84), Matthew Kennedy (12, 81), Jack Newnes (19, 67), Will Setterfield (8, 62), Tom De Koning (13, 60), Paddy Dow (16, 56), Matthew Cottrell (12, 49)

The top-ups: Lochie O’Brien (5, 65), David Cuningham (4, 60), Jack Carroll (0, 0), Alex Mirkov (0, 0)

MICK SAYS

Clearly the Blues had to add some more midfield talent to take the pressure off Patrick Cripps and Sam Walsh and they did that during the trade period last year. Recruiting the talented young Adam Cerra and the experienced George Hewett — who can play midfield or defence — were really important to add to the depth. Cripps has to get back to being the inside competitive contested ball winner we know he can be and let Cerra and Walsh do the work on the outside. Walsh’s delayed start to the season with ankle surgery is far from ideal, but for the Blues’ sake hopefully their reigning best-and-fairest is back on the field and back firing soon. I’d move defender Sam Docherty to a wing role, where he is capable of doing what Mitch Robinson does for Brisbane. After a solid season as a defender, I’d also be looking to give Liam Stocker some time as a midfielder, which he was recruited to be. The great debate will be whether ruckman Marc Pittonet and Tom De Koning can play in the same team as a ruck combination as they also have key forwards in Harry McKay, Charlie Curnow and even Jack Silvagni who was used as a relief ruckman last year. De Koning is an exciting and developing player but isn’t quite ready to take over the mantle as No. 1 ruckman.

Adam Cerra is a big recruit for Carlton. Picture: Getty Images

15. FREMANTLE

The top-liners: Sean Darcy (21 Games in 2021, 118 Average SuperCoach Score), Andrew Brayshaw (20, 107), Nat Fyfe (15, 100), David Mundy (22, 100), Caleb Serong (21, 83), Jordan Clark (8, 62), Lloyd Meek (9, 48), Connor Blakely (11, 44)

The top-ups: Will Brodie (4, 52), Joel Western (4, 22), Eric Benning (0, 0), Neil Erasmus (0, 0), Matthew Johnson (0, 0), Luke Valente (0, 0)

MICK SAYS

I really rate ruckman Sean Darcy, who played 21 games in a breakout 2021 to win the Dockers’ best and fairest. He’s such an impressive player with his follow up work, he has good footy IQ and has the mobility to get around the ground to support in the air. He’s a prominent ruckman who complements an ever-evolving midfield group of Andrew Brayshaw, Caleb Serong, Nat Fyfe and David Mundy very well. I also like the recruitment of Jordan Clark, who can play a key role on one wing for Fremantle this year. Does fellow recruit Will Brodie get a run? He was a highly-touted Gold Coast draftee but he hasn’t shown it yet. My concern for the Dockers is their on ball depth. Two or three injuries among the key midfield group and they look in trouble.

16. ADELAIDE

The top-liners: Rory Laird (22 Games in 2021, 116 Average SuperCoach Score), Ben Keays (22, 103), Rory Sloane (18, 97), Reilly O’Brien (20, 96), Paul Seedsman (22, 96), Lachlan Sholl (18, 66), Harry Schoenberg (22, 72), Matt Crouch (0, 0)

The top-ups: Kieran Strachan (2, 101), Brayden Cook (3, 48), Jackson Hately (3, 43), Luke Pedlar (2, 20), Luke Nankervis (0, 0), Jake Soligo (0, 0), Zac Taylor (0, 0).

MICK SAYS

I like the balance of the Crows’ midfield group in that Ben Keays can act as a defensive midfielder but also accumulate the ball and he allows prolific ball winners Rory Laird and Rory Sloane to do what they do best. The two ruckmen in Rilley O’Brien and Kieran Strachan are a work in progress but I like the development they are both showing. Lachlan Sholl and Harry Schoenberg are also developing nicely. Matt Crouch’s return from groin issues will help the Crows a lot, given his ball-winning and clearance ability, experience and short but effective ball use. What I would like to see is more goals from the Crows midfielders. Sloane and Laird each kicked only three goals last season. That’s not good enough from two of your side’s A-Graders.

Rory Sloane needs to kick more goals for Adelaide. Picture: Michael Klein

17. NORTH MELBOURNE

The top-liners: Ben Cunnington (15 Games in 2021, 109 Average SuperCoach Score), Todd Goldstein (22, 101), Jy Simpkin (22, 97), Hugh Greenwood (15, 93), Luke Davies-Uniacke (20, 85), Tarryn Thomas (21, 84), Jed Anderson (7, 82), Luke McDonald (11, 68), Tom Powell (13, 68), Callum Coleman-Jones (8, 66), Will Phillips (14, 48), Jason Horne-Francis (0, 0)

The top-ups: Jared Polec (5, 50), Charlie Comben (1, 35), Jacob Edwards (0, 0), Joshua Goater (0, 0)

MICK SAYS
The Kangaroos are hard to judge, given the unknown with two of their prime movers in Ben Cunnington (cancer) and Jed Anderson (vaccination rules).
The recruitment of Hugh Greenwood is a major positive as a big inside midfielder who can fill some of the void of Cunnington in the short-term.
There are some good younger players in Jy Simpkin, Tom Powell and Will Phillips, while the evergreen Todd Goldstein will continually work overtime. Goldstein plays his best footy when he’s the No. 1 ruckman, but might find himself having to share duties with recruit Callum Coleman-Jones a little this year. No. 1 draft pick Jason Horne-Francis looks a ready-made AFL player. The rapid growth of Tarryn Thomas is also exciting for North fans. He’s got a great skill set. He is tough, breaks the lines, has good poise and makes good decisions. He can also float forward and hit the scoreboard.
18. GOLD COAST

The top-liners: Touk Miller (21 Games in 2021, 125 Average SuperCoach Score), Brayden Fiorini (9, 101), Brandon Ellis (18, 90), David Swallow (21, 90), Jarrod Witts (3, 87), Noah Anderson (20, 84), Lachie Weller (13, 74), Mabior Chol (10, 68), Jeremy Sharp (9, 65), Matt Rowell (12, 63), Chris Burgess (19, 58), Rory Atkins (8, 46), Charlie Constable (3, 49)

The top-ups: Alex Davies (1, 62), Mac Andrew (0, 0), Matt Conroy (0, 0), Elijah Hollands (0, 0), Ned Moyle (0, 0), Patrick Murtagh (0, 0), Bodhi Uwland (0, 0)

MICK SAYS

Hugh Greenwood was the loss the Suns didn’t need during last year’s off-season and will be sorely missed as a big inside midfielder who could win the contested ball and clearances.
More responsibility will fall on Touk Miller, David Swallow, Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson to fill the void. Lachie Weller can become the breakaway midfielder around congestion that the Suns desperately need.
Ruckman Jarrod Witts’ return from a knee reconstruction will be important, after the Suns were exposed around stoppages without him last year.
Witts will have some added assistance from recruit Mabior Chol as a forward-ruckman. Chol is a talent, but my knock on him is that he picks and chooses when to put his body on the line when he is needed to help out his defenders.
That reluctance must change if he wants to win respect at his new club. Coach Stuart Dew has the talent there, but the Suns can’t afford to rank 17th for contested possession differential and 15th for centre bounce clearance differential again.
Dramatic change is needed.

Originally published as Mick McGuane ranks and reviews every AFL club’s midfield for the 2022 season