2022 AFL Fantasy players of interest

With 2022 finally upon us, we can begin to turn our attention to AFLFantasy and construct the side we hope can take us deep into the season.

While all 18 clubs and coaches begin to cast their eye over the pre-season in search of standouts, Fantasy coaches are also keeping their ears close to the ground in hope of discovering the hidden gems for the season ahead. 

With this in mind, we name the players who should be of interest to each and every AFL Fantasy coach ahead of the 2022 season.

James Sicily (DEF)

The Hawks star remained sidelined throughout the course of the 2021 season due to an ACL injury, and by all reports, he’ll be fit and firing come Round 1.

The luckless defender was a valuable asset two years ago, scoring at an average of 86.9 per game. With his price having since plummeted to $510,000, the versatile Hawk firms as an obvious starter for your defence this season.

Sicily is destined to rise in price with or without his best form, with the former scenario likely to see him remain in your side until the very end should it become as fruitful as your sports betting bonus. 

Matt Rowell (MID)

The story of the golden Sun has been well documented since he first stepped foot onto an AFL field, having enjoyed a meteoric rise before facing ongoing battles with injury.

Now entering his third season in the competition, Rowell is sure to return to his peak after an uninterrupted pre-season. In sharing the sugar with the likes of Touk Miller and Noah Anderson within the engine room, Rowell is sure to have an upper hand as great support surrounds him.

Priced at the lowly fee of $464,000, a hot start to 2022 will have Rowell as one of the bargain buys for the season ahead.

Matt Crouch (MID)

Like the aforementioned Sicily, Crouch enters the new year with a cut-price given his absence in the league across the course of the past 12 months. 

The Crows ball magnet was a sensation of coaches in the years prior, commonly being among the leading ball winners and AFL Fantasy scorers most weekends.

Entering 2022 at $649,000, Crouch won’t be an obvious selection for everyone, but his ceiling can lift most teams to the top of their respective league should he rekindle his best form. 

Braydon Preuss (RUC)

The giant Giant is another that received a major price reduction after missing the entire 2021 season, which was his first in western Sydney. 

Now with a clean bill of health and the growing prospects of lining up for Round 1, Preuss’ $367,000 price tag can’t be ignored to begin this season.

Likely to share the workload with either Matt Flynn or Kieren Briggs, Preuss may be able to balance his returning campaign as a ruck-forward option for Leon Cameron. 

Jason Horne-Francis (MID)

Often compared to the likes of Patrick Dangerfield and Nat Fyfe, there are some very clear signs that suggest the Roos’ top p[ick should be one of the first names in your side.

Coming in at the premium rookie price of $290,000, Horne-Francis’ certainty to be starting in an important role for North Melbourne come Round 1 is sure to make his fee worth every cent.

Capable of playing through the middle and moving forward as a high-flying option in attack, Horne-Francis is sure to amass points at a rapid rate for your side.