Roy’s Best 22 for 2019 – March Edition

The season starts in a couple of days, so it is time to update the rolling best 22. This is how I see the top players in each of the lines for the year. 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 February edition.
Click here to recap the January edition.
Click here to recap the December edition.

DEFENDERS

			2018 Avg	Proj Avg	Change
D1		Jake Lloyd Sydney Swans, DEF Looks to have the safest role clarity of the big three defenders.	100.1 (22)	107
D2		Rory Laird Rory Laird, DEF Slips back slightly behind Lloyd due to the increased roles of Smith and Milera.	107.8 (20)	106
D3		Lachie Whitfield GWS Giants, DEF The talk of his half forward role is the last thing I wanted to hear on the eve of the season.	101.6 (22)	105
D4		James Sicily Hawthorn, DEF Remains the number on kick in guy which adds a few bonus points.	95.6 (14)	100
D5		Alex Witherden Brisbane Lions, DEF In career best condition and will take his share of kick ins.	88 (22)	99
D6		Kade Simpson Carlton, DEF The old boy remains the safest of the next crop of contenders.	95.3 (21)	94

In the mix: Nil.

MIDFIELDERS

			2018 Avg	Proj Avg	Change
M1		Jack Macrae Western Bulldogs, MID Set to maintain his awesome form from last year.	122.6 (19)	120
M2		Stephen Coniglio GWS Giants, MID Carries a huge amount of responsibility in the midfield this season… And is capable of doing it.	110.4 (21)	116
M3		Patrick Cripps Carlton, MID The 6-6-6 rule makes him even more dangerous. AFL version of Bodacious the bull.	109.3 (22)	115
M4		Angus Brayshaw Melbourne, MID A genuine star, the second half of last year was no fluke.	105.1 (19)	114
M5		Adam Treloar Collingwood, MID The extra space will be lapped up by the explosive star.	108.5 (13)	114
M6		Matt Crouch Adelaide, MID The ball magnet is set for a career high season.	104.9 (18)	112
M7		Clayton Oliver Melbourne, MID No shoulder concerns, business as usual for the young star.	109.1 (22)	111
M8		Zach Merrett Essendon, MID An interesting pre-season from Merrett, but he should be fine.	101.5 (22)	110

In the mix: Dayne Beams (Collingwood, MID), Lachie Neale (Brisbane Lions, MID), Seb Ross (St Kilda, MID),  Taylor Adams (Collingwood, MID), Josh Kelly (GWS Giants, MID).

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RUCKS

			2018 Avg	Proj Avg	Change
R1		Brodie Grundy Collingwood, RUC Set for another huge year, no concerns about a slow-pre season.	120 (22)	120
R2		Max Gawm Melbourne, RUC Will start the year solo ruck and should maintain his average for the year.	111.3 (22)	111

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

FORWARDS

			2018 Avg	Proj Avg	Change
F1		Patrick Dangerfield Geelong, MID/FWD In for a monster season.	106.2 (21)	117
F2		Josh Dunkley Western Bulldogs, MID/FWD Looks to be fourth in line in the midfield, which means plenty of time in there.	95.8 (19)	109
F3		Devon Smith Essendon, MID/FWD Indifferent pre-season and reports of a slight role change leave some question marks.	106.6 (22)	101
F4		Tim Kelly Geelong, MID/FWD Will be a frequent flyer in the midfield and his scores will reflect it.	86.8 (22)	100
F5		Sam Menegola Geelong, MID/FWD Knows how to score no matter where he lines up on the ground.	98.6 (22)	100
F6		Justin Westhoff Port Adelaide, RUC/FWD This attacking game plan Port claim to be deploying could actually see the old boy set another career high.	101.9 (22)	100

In the mix: 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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