Team Announcement: SC Bandit drops 2022 squad

• SQUAD BREAKDOWN: Richmond Tigers SC roster analysis
• TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: 2021 SC runner-up Niko drops squad

This has been one of the trickiest pre-seasons I can remember in terms of picking a starting team.

Cheap rookies are few and far between, mid-price options are tempting, and the big-name players just seem to get more expensive every year (they don’t, but it feels that way!).

I went through most of the pre-season with a 12-premium structure, before the pre-season games cut me down to 11.

Having not been sold on that, I’ve continued tinkering with my squad to fit 12 premos back into my line up and I’m feeling good about it.

I feel like starting any less than 12 opens you up to mediocre scores from mid-pricers who may not score 80+ points per week that we need.

I’ve opted for a 4/4/2/2 split of my premos from back to forward, as defensive rookies seem to be lacking compared to other lines. All I need now is for teams to be announced and hopefully the rookies we need to play will play.

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DEFENCE

Jack Crisp // $571,000 // DEF

With Collingwood ushering in a new era under Craig McRae, Crisp looks like he’s going to be taking some more midfield minutes this year from the likes of Pendlebury and Sidebottom. He scored well last year and I don’t see him slowing down.

Luke Ryan // 540,300 // DEF

One of two major PODs in my side, Ryan is as consistent a SuperCoach defender as you’ll find.

He’s usually good for 90-100 points per game (if not more on good days) and with Fremantle finally having some key position depth, he’ll be able to go and find more of his own footy this year. I’m confident that he’ll average anywhere from 100-105.

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Jayden Short // 535,200 // DEF

Short brought his own footy to the most recent practice matches that Richmond played and I think he’ll be doing the same when the real stuff starts. No Bachar Houli in the Tigers team means he’ll take over the mantle as the main ball user coming out of the back half.

Lachie Whitfield // $502,600 // MID-DEF

Had his injury troubles in 2021, but with a full pre-season under his belt I’m confident that he’ll return to averaging 100+ in 2022. He does still come with some injury risk, but the value he presents is too hard to ignore. Happy to accept the risk on him at D4.

Rookies

Subject to change, but Paddy McCartin, Josh Gibcus and Sam De Koning all look like they’ll see some early games.

I’ve also included Nathan O’Driscoll – with Nick Daicos likely to be playing some game time off half back, there’s a chance that he gets DEF status by Round 6 and that will open up a loophole with O’Driscoll to swing Daicos to defence.

O’Driscoll will also act as a loophole if he doesn’t get named in Fremantle’s Round 1 side.

MIDFIELD

Jack Macrae // $699,900 // MID

The best SuperCoach player in the game last year. Lock him in, throw away the key.

Jack Steele // $685,800 // MID

If you were building the ideal midfielder for SuperCoach then Steele would come pretty close. Contested beast, tackles, kicks goals. Also makes a good VC/C combo with Macrae in the early rounds.

Christian Petracca // $606,200 // MID

The other major POD in this team, I think the 2021 Norm Smith Medallist can lift another gear in 2022. One of those sorts of players who can’t be tagged and just finds a way to rack up 25+ disposals and a goal per game consistently. He could be in for a monster season after averaging 119 from the last nine home and away games in 2021.

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Lachie Neale // $543,200 // MID

Neale’s 2021 season was a write off – he struggled with injury in the first half of the season and was below his best for the remaining games that he was able to play. With a full uninterrupted pre-season behind him, he looks primed to re-join the top echelon of SuperCoach midfielders in 2022 as Brisbane look to push for that elusive flag.

Jarrod Berry // $268,500 // MID

Another guy who we didn’t see the best of in 2021 because of injury, Berry’s price tag is just too cheap to ignore. He averaged 97 from 15 games in 2020 and if he can get back to somewhere near that in 2022 then he’ll be one of the bargain buys of the season.

Rookies

Not much needs to be said about Nick Daicos, Jason Horne-Francis or Josh Ward – they’ll all be playing Round 1 and will see lots of footy this year. I think Dylan Stephens will cement a spot in Sydney’s best 22, while Cooper Stephens and Connor MacDonald’s pre-seasons have been impressive and will be thereabouts for Round 1.

RUCK

Max Gawn // $657,400 // RUCK

No messing around in the rucks for me, it’s set and forget all the way. Max was dominant last year and I think Luke Jackson’s development will actually allow him more freedom in the way he plays both behind and in front of the ball. Hard to see him not being one of the top-scoring rucks again this year.

Brodie Grundy // $627,100 // RUCK

Wasn’t far behind Gawn in the ruck category in 2021 and I like the chances of him returning to a 120+ average in 2022. Struggled with a neck injury in the middle of last season and it appeared to knock him around a bit. That’s behind him now and I’m backing him to put in a huge year.

Rookies

Jack Hayes looks like he’ll be a savvy recruit for the Saints, with his ability to play primarily as a foil for Max King inside forward 50 and also give Rowan Marshall a break in the ruck. At $102K he looks a nice prospect.

FORWARDS

Josh Dunkley // $558,200 // MID-FWD

Started 2021 like a house on fire where he averaged 129 from the first six games before injuring his shoulder. Has attended plenty of centre bounces over the pre-season, which suggests the Dogs are confident of throwing him back into the midfield mix. Will be a top 6 forward barring injury.

Zak Butters // $443,600 // FWD

One of the most hyped players of the pre-season, Power coach Ken Hinkley has indicated that Butters will spend more time in the midfield in 2022. That can only be good news for Butters’ SuperCoach output, which was showcased by a few big scores last season. Looks to be value if he can average 95-100 PPG.

Stephen Coniglio // $261,300 // MID-FWD

Another guy who just screams value at sub-$300K. Has had a torrid couple of seasons with injury and form, but it looks like he’s fit and will be spending more time in the midfield this year. With his ownership at over 60%, he’s a risk-free selection because so many coaches will have him in their teams.

Rookies

Tristan Xerri looks like he’ll get first crack in the number one ruck spot at the Kangaroos, so I would expect him to get DPP status at Round 6.

I think Richmond’s Hugo Ralphsmith can cement a spot in their best 22, while Josh Rachele has lit up the pre-season for the Crows and is in their best 18. Nick Martin and Hugh Dixon are slightly more speculative, but I think they’ll play early.

Good luck for the season!