Roy’s Best 22 for 2019 – February Edition

As the countdown to the season proper reaches a month, updating my rolling 22 is the least I can do! So here you go to use as you please, whether that me be for a guide, entertaining reading or as a source of anger to get genuinely heated about, here it is.

Click here to recap the January edition.
Click here to recap the December edition.

DEFENDERS

			2018 Avg	Proj Avg	Change
D1		Rory Laird Rory Laird, DEF Genuine star, who should average around the same after taking into account the Crows improvement and the return of Brodie Smith.	107.8 (20)	107
D2		Jake Lloyd Sydney Swans, DEF An interrupted pre-season is the only thing stopping him from being my number one.	100.1 (22)	106
D3		Lachie Whitfield GWS Giants, DEF Zac William’s return pushes Whitfield up to a wing where he dominated in the Finals. One of two tag candidates for the Giants without Shiel is a slight issue.	101.6 (22)	105
D4		James Sicily Hawthorn, DEF Will be the number one kick out guy for the Hawks and has reportedly played on at every opportunity during match simulation.	95.6 (14)	104
D5		Alex Witherden Brisbane Lions, DEF In career best condition and will take his share of kick ins (knows what he needs to do to register +3 from there).	88 (22)	101
D6		Kade Simpson Carlton, DEF Following the loss of a few key defenders this pre season, old faithful returns. Will no doubt slog it out with minimal support again to average in the 90s.	95.3 (21)	94

In the mix: Nil.

MIDFIELDERS

			2018 Avg	Proj Avg	Change
M1		Jack Macrae Western Bulldogs, MID Has had a ripper pre season and deserves to remain at the mantle.	122.6 (19)	120
M2		Zach Merrett Essendon, MID Remains at number two despite an interrupted pre-season. There will be additional uncontested ball this year with the addition of Shiel.	101.5 (22)	117
M3		Patrick Cripps Carlton, MID They don’t just hand out AFLX Vice Captaincy willy nilly… Well, they probably do but Crippa is a jet and set for a career high.	109.3 (22)	115
M4		Adam Treloar Collingwood, MID Had an awesome pre-season following his injury interrupted double hammy silly salmon season.	108.5 (13)	115
M5		Taylor Adams Collingwood, MID Yes, the main source of my critics anger remains in the eight. Especially after Brodie Grundy confirmed all my thoughts on the Podcast.	95.1 (19)	115
M6		Josh Kelly GWS Giants, MID I do have slight concerns about a regular tag without Shiel, however, he is still a gun.	108.4 (15)	114
M7		Lachie Neale Brisbane Lions, MID First uninterrupted pre-season in a long time and he is playing in a midfield where snouts are born.	100.2 (22)	113
M8		Matt Crouch Adelaide, MID Flying under the radar and a safe pick to round out the eight in a full strength Crows midfield.	104.9 (18)	112

In the mix: Dayne Beams (Collingwood, MID), Stephen Coniglio (GWS Giants, MID), Seb Ross (St Kilda, MID),  Clayton Oliver (Melbourne, MID).

RUCKS

			2018 Avg	Proj Avg	Change
R1		Brodie Grundy Collingwood, RUC The toe issue has knocked off two points from my projected average, that’s all, still easily number one.	120 (22)	120
R2		Max Gawm Melbourne, RUC A lot of talk about Gawn spending extended time forward… Thing is he has great hands and will kick a few. Still clearly top two.	111.3 (22)	104

In the mix: Justin Westhoff (Port Adelaide, RUC/FWD), Stefan Martin (Brisbane Lions, RUC), Todd Goldstein (North Melbourne, RUC).

FORWARDS

			2018 Avg	Proj Avg	Change
F1		Patrick Dangerfield Geelong, MID/FWD Genuine star, easy option as the number one and set to return to 110+ average.	106.2 (21)	110
F2		Josh Dunkley Western Bulldogs, MID/FWD Should slot straight back into the role he dominated at the end of the season despite Libba’s return.	95.8 (19)	108
F3		Devon Smith Essendon, MID/FWD The security of role and tackling prowess should ensure he is in the mix for remain a top three forward.	106.6 (22)	104
F4		Tim Kelly Geelong, MID/FWD Will play predominately through the midfield where he dominated the back end of the season. All class.	86.8 (22)	100
F5		Sam Menegola Geelong, MID/FWD May get off to a slow start like last year after an interrupted pre season. Will likely finish the year in third spot however.	98.6 (22)	100
F6		Justin Westhoff Port Adelaide, RUC/FWD Mr Fix it will reportedly be given a green light to once again go where he likes. Fortunately for us, he likes going where the ball is.	101.9 (22)	100

In the mix: Toby McLean (Western Bulldogs, MID/FWD), Isaac Heeney (Sydney Swans, MID/FWD), Jack Billings (St Kilda, MID/FWD)

What do you think, has Roy got this right? What order would you have the players in? Post your thoughts in the comments.

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