The end of the 2022 home and away season is nearing and we wanted to get in early with a bunch of assessments.
We have picked out 11 different categories for each of the 18 clubs in an attempt to bring some meaning to it all.
See our suggestions below:
It’s been another year to forget for Adelaide, consistently lurking down the bottom of the ladder for much of the season.
You’ve got to feel for Rory Laird, he cracks in every week and has no doubt been Adelaide’s most consistent player. Special mention to Jordan Dawson who has had a strong first year for the Crows.
Sam Berry and Darcy Fogarty have shown promise this year, Berry is a contested beast, leading the club in tackles and ranked fourth in contested possessions. As for Fogarty, he's finally lived up to his potential this year, solidifying his spot in the forward line – 2023 will be a big year for him.
Matt Crouch is the obvious Crow who looks set to depart at the end of the year, a big call given he won their best and fairest in 2017 and was selected in the All-Australian side.
Most consistent player: Rory Laird
Surprise packet: Sam Berry
Quantum leap: Darcy Fogarty
Likely B&F winner: Rory Laird
Breakout player: None really
Most important defender: Tom Doedee
Most important midfielder/ruck: Rory Laird
Most important forward: Taylor Walker
Best first year player (debuted in 2022): Josh Rachele
Most underrated player: Jordon Butts
Most likely to move or on the trade table: Matthew Crouch
Superstar midfielder Lachie Neale has been by far Brisbane’s best player in 2022 as he’s returned to his peak form this campaign. The on-baller is in Brownlow form and ranks in the top-five league wide for disposals, contested possessions, clearances and handballs.
While the Lions have a raft of other stars, Keidean Coleman has been the player jump into that bracket this season with the 22-year-old finding his niche off half-back.
Harris Andrews remains the most important defender despite a slow start to the season while Charlie Cameron is the barometer in attack.
Most consistent player: Lachie Neale
Surprise packet: Darcy Fort
Quantum leap: Keidean Coleman
Likely B&F winner: Lachie Neale
Breakout player: Keidean Coleman
Most important defender: Harris Andrews
Most important midfielder/ruck: Lachie Neale
Most important forward: Charlie Cameron
Best first year player (debuted in 2022): James Tunstill
Most underrated player: Brandon Starcevich
Most likely to move or on the trade table: Daniel McStay
Lachlan Geleit
Carlton’s rise this year has been due to a consistent improvement across the board, coupled with a hugely improved side strategically and while a number of players have gotten better, they don’t have a true breakout.
The biggest difference might simply be the return of Charlie Curnow and his ascension to stardom, as well as Sam Docherty being back to his best.
Adam Saad has had an incredible season, while Sam Walsh has not missed a beat in 2022.
Most consistent player: Sam Docherty
Surprise packet: Lewis Young
Quantum leap: Charlie Curnow
Likely B&F winner: Adam Saad, Charlie Curnow, Patrick Cripps or Sam Walsh
Breakout player: Lochie O’Brien or Zac Fisher
Most important defender: Jacob Weitering
Most important midfielder/ruck: Marc Pittonet
Most important forward: Charlie Curnow
Best first year player (debuted in 2022): Jesse Motlop
Most underrated player: Nic Newman
Most likely to move or on the trade table: Paddy Dow
Nic Negrepontis
Collingwood’s resurgence in 2022 has been on the back of finding significant improvement from several players under Craig McRae.
2021 Copeland Trophy winner Jack Crisp has been as consistent as ever and will go close to winning the best and fairest again. His closest competition could be from first-year star Nick Daicos who has wowed as a teenager, while ruckman Darcy Cameron has stood up in Brodie Grundy’s absence.
Jordan De Goey looks most likely to depart after off-field drama followed him again.
Most consistent player: Jeremy Howe
Surprise packet: Jack Ginnivan
Quantum leap: Darcy Cameron
Likely B&F winner: Jack Crisp
Breakout player: Nathan Murphy
Most important defender: Darcy Moore
Most important midfielder/ruck: Jack Crisp
Most important forward: Brody Mihocek
Best first year player (debuted in 2022): Nick Daicos
Most underrated player: Isaac Quaynor
Most likely to move or on the trade table: Jordan De Goey
Lachlan Geleit
In a largely disappointing year, there’s still been some highlights for Bombers fans.
Mason Redman has become one of his side’s most important assets and is likely to win the club’s best and fairest award come season’s end.
Zach Merrett is a picture of consistency, while Peter Wright has become one of the most prolific forwards in the competition.
But could captain Dyson Heppell be on the move? Several reports are suggesting he’s weighing up his options.
Most consistent player: Zach Merrett
Surprise packet: Nic Martin
Quantum leap: Mason Redman
Likely B&F winner: Mason Redman
Breakout player: Sam Durham
Most important defender: Jordan Ridley
Most important midfielder/ruck: Sam Draper
Most important forward: Peter Wright
Best first year player (debuted in 2022): Ben Hobbs
Most underrated player: Jayden Laverde
Most likely to move or on the trade table: Dyson Heppell
Laurence Rosen
Fremantle’s season has been defined by players going to another level, whether they were on the list previously or not.
Andrew Brayshaw has become a true superstar of the competition, Will Brodie has gone from a depth player at the Suns to a key cog on-ball and Rory Lobb has had a career season inside 50.
They have a consistent backline, midfield depth and potent small forwards.
Most consistent player: Luke Ryan
Surprise packet: Will Brodie
Quantum leap: Andrew Brayshaw
Likely B&F winner: Andrew Brayshaw
Breakout player: Will Brodie
Most important defender: Luke Ryan
Most important midfielder/ruck: Sean Darcy
Most important forward: Rory Lobb
Best first year player (debuted in 2022): Nathan O’Driscoll
Most underrated player: Lachie Schultz
Most likely to move or on the trade table: Rory Lobb
*Nic Negrepontis
Another year, another season of the Cats proving the doubters wrong.
Chris Scott has consistently found ways to have his ageing list competing, and 2022 is no different.
They sit atop the AFL ladder heading into Round 20, but can they bring it in finals?
In 2022, they’ve found ways to win without the big names of years gone by.
Sam De Koning has been a revelation and has quickly become one of the side’s first picked, while Jeremy Cameron has displayed career-best form in his second year at the Cattery, while veteran Tom Hawkins keeps on keeping on.
Most consistent player: Tom Hawkins
Surprise packet: Sam De Koning
Quantum leap: Tom Atkins
Likely B&F winner: Jeremy Cameron
Breakout player: Sam De Koning
Most important defender: Tom Stewart
Most important midfielder/ruck: Cameron Guthrie
Most important forward: Jeremy Cameron
Best first year player (debuted in 2022): Cooper Stephens
Most underrated player: Brad Close
Most likely to move or on the trade table: Quinton Narkle
Seb Mottram
The 2022 season has arguably been the Gold Coast’s best in its short history in the AFL, culminating in Stuart Dew earning a contract extension. They’ve faced plenty of injuries but have claimed some big scalps and are well placed for a serious crack at finals in 2023.
Touk Miller has led the midfield and won’t be far off the pace on Brownlow night, while Izak Rankine has emerged as one of the competition’s best small forwards.
After adopting a more attacking game style, recruits Mabior Chol and Levi Casboult have both exceeded expectations to lead the forward line.
Most consistent player: Touk Miller
Surprise packet: Levi Casboult
Quantum leap: Izak Rankine
Likely B&F winner: Touk Miller
Breakout player: Joel Jeffrey
Most important defender: Sam Collins
Most important midfielder/ruck: Touk Miller, Jarrod Witts
Most important forward: Mabior Chol
Best first year player (debuted in 2022): No real candidates
Most underrated player: Charlie Ballard
Most likely to move or on the trade table: Sam Day
Seb Mottram
The Giants have largely disappointed this season having played in two finals last year.
They lost their coach Leon Cameron mid-year, and although they started brightly under Mark McVeigh, have fallen away in recent weeks.
Defender Sam Taylor has been a pillar of strength down back and is expected to make the All-Australian squad of 40. He has been joined recently by Harry Himmelberg who has excelled since shifting to the backline.
Reigning best and fairest Josh Kelly is having another consistent campaign and is well in the mix for a third Kevin Sheedy Medal while his co-captain Stephen Coniglio has returned to form strongly in 2022. The third joint skipper Toby Greene remains GWS’ most important forward.
As is always the case with the Giants, there is plenty of chatter surrounding the trade table with the likes of Jacob Hopper and Tim Taranto heavily linked with possible departures.
Most consistent player: Josh Kelly
Surprise packet: Harry Himmelberg (Has starred since moving to defence).
Quantum leap: Isaac Cumming
Likely B&F winner: Josh Kelly, Stephen Coniglio or Sam Taylor
Breakout player: Tom Green (More so earlier in the season).
Most important defender: Sam Taylor
Most important midfielder/ruck: Josh Kelly
Most important forward: Toby Greene
Best first year player: Jacob Wehr
Most underrated player: Sam Taylor
Most likely to move or on the trade table: Jacob Hopper, Tim Taranto
Andrew Slevison
The Hawks are enjoying the most satisfactory and dare it be said, enjoyable seven-win season ever. They play an entertaining, enterprising brand of football and there is seriously good talent emerging across every line.
The foundation for what should be a perennial finals contending team from about 2024 is taking shape.
Hawthorn needs to nail the next couple of drafts, but supporters should feel confident that the club knows how to identify good talent. Will Day, Jai Newcombe, Ned Reeves, James Blanck, Josh Ward, Connor Macdonald and Sam Butler are good examples of that.
And for all the commentary about the coaching handover and its execution, the means justified the end because Sam Mitchell obviously knows what he is doing.
Most consistent player: Blake Hardwick
Surprise packet: Harry Morrison
Quantum leap: Dylan Moore
Likely B&F winner: James Sicily
Breakout player: Jai Newcombe
Most important defender: James Sicily
Most important midfielder/ruck: Ned Reeves
Most important forward: Mitch Lewis
Best first year player (debuted in 2022): Connor Macdonald
Most underrated player: Jack Scrimshaw
Most likely to move or on the trade table: Chad Wingard, Dan Howe, Tom Phillips
Ash Browne
Clayton Oliver remains the most consistent player at the Demons and is probably Brownlow favourite as it stands.
James Jordon has elevated his game in 2022 after he was named the sub during the Grand Final, while prime movers such as Christian Petracca and Steven May have continued to show why they’re two of the best players in the competition.
On the flipside, it appears that prized ruckman Luke Jackson will depart the club come season’s end and head back home to Western Australia.
Most consistent player: Clayton Oliver
Surprise packet: James Jordon
Quantum leap: James Jordon
Likely B&F winner: Clayton Oliver
Breakout player: Tom Sparrow
Most important defender: Steven May
Most important midfielder/ruck: Christian Petracca
Most important forward: Bayley Fritsch
Best first year player (debuted in 2022): n/a
Most underrated player: Charlie Spargo
Most likely to move or on the trade table: Luke Jackson
Laurence Rosen
It’s been a year to forget for North Melbourne, sacking coach David Noble as another wooden spoon looms.
However, they will be able to hang their hat on the breakout of Luke Davies-Uniacke, who has arrived as a serious midfielder of the competition.
Curtis Taylor has had an excellent season, Tristan Xerri showed signs of being a capable ruckman prior tpo his injury, Ben McKay has had a great year as a key defender and Cam Zurhaar has consistently hit the scoreboard.
Most consistent player: Luke McDonald
Surprise packet: Curtis Taylor
Quantum leap: Luke Davies-Uniacke
Likely B&F winner: Luke Davies-Uniacke
Breakout player: Tristan Xerri
Most important defender: Ben McKay
Most important midfielder/ruck: Luke Davies-Uniacke
Most important forward: Nick Larkey
Best first year player (debuted in 2022): Jason Horne-Francis
Most underrated player: Cam Zurhaar
Most likely to move or on the trade table: Todd Goldstein
Nic Negrepontis
Port Adelaide’s season got off to a horror start, losing their opening five games to leave their finals hopes in tatters. The Power recovered to put themselves back in the finals mix.
Sitting two games outside the eight with four games left, it appears unlikely Port will feature in September this year.
Connor Rozee is putting together a career-best season, as is Todd Marshall while Dan Houston has also impressed.
Most consistent player: Dan Houston
Surprise packet: Jeremy Finlayson
Quantum leap: Todd Marshall
Likely B&F winner: Connor Rozee
Breakout player: Connor Rozee
Most important defender: Aliir Aliir
Most important midfielder/ruck: Travis Boak
Most important forward: Charlie Dixon
Best first year player (debuted in 2022): Jackson Mead
Most underrated player: Dan Houston
Most likely to move or on the trade table: Karl Amon
Alex Zaia
Richmond has endured a frustrating season which has them currently sitting outside the eight. The Tigers have dropped a number of close games having been in winning positions in almost every match.
But from an individual sense, the form of Dan Rioli off half-back has been a highlight as have the performances of Marlion Pickett, who has become a top-line winger this year.
Dion Prestia, when fit, has been reliable in the middle, up forward it has been Jack Riewoldt leading the line, but Tom Lynch is often the difference when he is up and going.
The likes of Robbie Tarrant, following a start, the unheralded Nathan Broad and Nick Vlastuin have played well in defence.
Josh Gibcus played superbly early but his form has waned more recently. Still, his debut season has been extremely promising.
Aside from a couple of quiet games, Liam Baker has been one of the club’s very best.
Most consistent player: Jayden Short, Nathan Broad
Surprise packet: Robbie Tarrant (The way he has turned it around after an indifferent start).
Quantum leap: Marlion Pickett
Likely B&F winner: Liam Baker
Breakout player: Dan Rioli (Has broken out in his role across half-back).
Most important defender: Nick Vlastuin
Most important midfielder/ruck: Dion Prestia
Most important forward: Tom Lynch
Best first year player (debuted in 2022): Josh Gibcus
Most underrated player: Nathan Broad, Kamdyn McIntosh
Most likely to move or on the trade table: Riley Collier-Dawkins
Andrew Slevison
St Kilda started the season brightly, winning eight of their first 11 games.
Things haven’t quite gone as planned for the Saints in the second half of the year, leaving their finals hopes in limbo.
In what has been an up and down year for the Saints, Jack Sinclair has been a model of consistency and has taken his game to the next level.
Cal Wilkie has been immense down back while Max King is nearing a 50-goal season.
Most consistent player: Jack Sinclair
Surprise packet: Jack Hayes
Quantum leap: Jack Sinclair
Likely B&F winner: Jack Sinclair
Breakout player: Jack Sinclair
Most important defender: Dougal Howard
Most important midfielder/ruck: Paddy Ryder
Most important forward: Max King
Best first year player (debuted in 2022): Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera
Most underrated player: Cal Wilkie
Most likely to move or on the trade table: Jack Billings
Alex Zaia
Sydney’s terrific season in 2022 has been on the back of players taking that next step in their careers, simple as that.
Their talent was unquestionable, we saw that in 2021, but if the Swans want to make a dent in the year, they just have to be more consistent from here on.
Callum Mills is the definition of consistent. He rarely has a quiet game and if they’re to go deep this year, he’ll be the one leading from the front.
The year Paddy McCartin has had has been inspirational, we know his history and to see him perform so well this year has been great. Will Hayward has had another consistent season, he’s so clean in the air and on the ground, making him a very tough matchup.
Special mention to Nick Blakey and Chad Warner who’ve taken quantum leaps this year, their flash is what makes the Swans so exciting.
Most consistent player: Callum Mills
Surprise packet: Paddy McCartin
Quantum leap: Chad Warner
Likely B&F winner: Callum Mills
Breakout player: Nick Blakey
Most important defender: Tom McCartin
Most important midfielder/ruck: Callum Mills, Tom Hickey
Most important forward: Isaac Heeney
Best first year player (debuted in 2022): Only two first year players have played this year.. well done Angus Sheldrick and Matthew Roberts.
Most underrated player: Will Hayward
Most likely to move or on the trade table: No one really... Lance Franklin?
Hugh Fitzpatrick
The rapid spread of COVID-19 amongst their playing group put the Eagles well behind the eight ball ahead of the 2022 season, and injuries to more key players meant they were always going to struggle to get back on track.
Adam Simpson would’ve liked to unearth some more talent for the future with the opportunities that have been afforded to their youngsters, but Patrick Naish, Connor West and Greg Clark have all shown promising signs.
Tom Barrass has had a fantastic year in defence, and Tim Kelly has been a relatively reliable contributor in the midfield, while Andrew Gaff and Jack Redden toil away on the wing and in the centre respectively.
Another worrying sign for the Eagles’ is their reliance on 34-year-old Josh Kennedy up forward, but if they can get some key personnel back and firing next year, a spring back up the ladder isn’t out of question.
Most consistent player: Jack Redden
Surprise packet: Patrick Naish
Quantum leap: None
Likely B&F winner: Tim Kelly or Tom Barrass
Breakout player: Connor West
Most important defender: Tom Barrass
Most important midfielder/ruck: Tim Kelly
Most important forward: Josh Kennedy
Best first year player (debuted in 2022): Greg Clark
Most underrated player: Tom Barrass
Most likely to move or on the trade table: Jackson Nelson
Sam Watson
The 2022 season has been an interesting one for the Bulldogs, but it looks like they may be starting to hit their straps at the right time of the year.
Jackson Macrae is yet to miss a game this seasson, and his ultra-consistent form in the midfield will probably see him win the best and fairest, but captain Marcus Bontempelli is clearly their most important midfielder when up and firing.
In a year where their defence has struggled, Bailey Dale’s rebounding ability has been huge, and the emergence of Ed Richards has aided their balance.
Tim English’s improvement in the ruck has also helped them keep their finals hopes alive, and if Aaron Naughton continues to get support from players like Rhylee West up forward, their dreams of returning to the Grand Final may be realised.
Most consistent player: Jackson Macrae
Surprise packet: Rhylee West
Quantum leap: Tim English
Likely B&F winner: Jackson Macrae
Breakout player: Ed Richards
Most important defender: Bailey Dale
Most important midfielder/ruck: Marcus Bontempelli
Most important forward: Aaron Naughton
Best first year player (debuted in 2022): Robbie McComb
Most underrated player: Ed Richards
Most likely to move or on the trade table: Josh Dunkley
Sam Watson