Champion Data has revealed the AFL Fantasy positions for season 2022, with the biggest changes coming from the forward line.
Only four of 2021's top 15 averaging FWDs have retained their status for next season, while the top five scorers have all been removed as FWD options.
Brisbane's Dayne Zorko has long been a dual position favourite. Last season, the leader of the pride was the highest scorer among FWDs. However, he is now only available as a MID, given his leading role in the Lions' engine room.
Amongst the top five were North Melbourne pair Aaron Hall and Jack Ziebell, but as the two Roos racked up their stats behind the ball, they will available as DEF options going next season.
Rucks Sean Darcy and Rowan Marshall were highly popular RUC/FWD options, but they too have lost their FWD eligibility.
Rucks with the option to to be placed as a forward are a gold mine in AFL Fantasy, as they are amongst the highest fantasy scorers every game.
Meanwhile, Josh Kelly, Isaac Smith,ย Patrick Dangerfield,ย Lachie Hunter,ย Nat Fyfeย andย Scott Pendlebury will all be MID only next season.
AFL Fantasy coaches shouldn't worry too much as several star fantasy scorers will still be available as dual-position players, withย Steele Sidebottom,ย Chad Wingard,ย Tarryn Thomas,ย Shai Bolton,ย Dustin Martinย andย Josh Dunkley will retaining their FWD status.
Given this flexibility, this collective are certain to be among the top picks in 2022.
In other good news, Mitch Duncan,ย Stephen Coniglio,ย Tim Tarantoย andย Adam Treloar will all be MID/FWDs. The quartet have all averaged more than 100 points in multiple seasons.
And as for defence?
Rory Laird and Callum Mills, the first and third ranked defenders respectivley, are now MID only, after consistently featuring in the centre.
The battle for best DEF next year will be an interesting space to watch.
All positions will be revealed when AFL Fantasy launches for 2022 in the coming weeks.
Key Fantasy positions club-by-club
Adelaide
Brodie Smith DEF
Jordan Dawson DEF
Lachlan Sholl MID
Rory Laird MID
Harry Schoenberg MID
Brisbane
Zac Bailey MID/FWD
Dayne Zorko MID
Carlton
Zac Williams DEF
George Hewett DEF/MID
Matthew Kennedy MID
Paddy Dow MID
Collingwood
Will Kelly DEF/FWD
Jack Crisp DEF/MID
Jordan De Goey MID/FWD
Steele Sidebottom MID/FWD
Josh Daicos MID
Nick Daicos MID
Patrick Lipinski MID
Essendon
Dyson Heppell DEF
Nick Hind DEF
Jake Stringer MID/FWD
Kyle Langford MID
Jye Caldwell MID
Fremantle
Michael Walters FWD
Will Brodie MID/FWD
Nat Fyfe MID
Jordan Clark MID
Sean Darcy RUC
Geelong
Zach Tuohy DEF/MID
Shaun Higgins FWD
Mitch Duncan MID/FWD
Patrick Dangerfield MID
Isaac Smith MID
Gold Coast
Jack Lukosius DEF/MID
Lachie Weller MID/FWD
Elijah Hollands MID/FWD
GWS Giants
Lachie Whitfield DEF/MID
Stephen Coniglio MID/FWD
Tim Taranto MID/FWD
Josh Kelly MID
Hawthorn
Jarman Impey DEF
Lachlan Bramble DEF
Chad Wingard MID/FWD
Tom Phillips MID
Finn Maginness MID/FWD
Ben McEvoy RUC/FWD
Melbourne
James Harmes MID
Luke Jackson RUC/FWD
North Melbourne
Aaron Hall DEF
Jack Ziebell DEF
Jaidyn Stephenson FWD
Jed Anderson MID/FWD
Tarryn Thomas MID/FWD
Will Phillips MID/FWD
Luke McDonald MID
Jason Horne-Francis MID
Port Adelaide
Dan Houston DEF
Connor Rozee FWD
Zak Butters FWD
Miles Bergman MID
Richmond
Daniel Rioli DEF/FWD
Shai Bolton MID/FWD
Thomson Dow MID/FWD
Dustin Martin MID/FWD
Jack Graham MID/FWD
St Kilda
Bradley Hill DEF
Hunter Clark DEF/MID
Jack Higgins FWD
Jack Billings MID
Jade Gresham MID/FWD
Rowan Marshall RUC
Paddy Ryder RUC
Sydney Swans
Nick Blakey DEF
Braeden Campbell DEF
Isaac Heeney FWD
Callum Mills MID
Callum Sinclair RUC/FWD
West Coast
Liam Duggan DEF/MID
Western Bulldogs
Bailey Dale DEF
Josh Schache DEF/FWD
Adam Treloar MID/FWD
Josh Dunkley MID/FWD
Lachie Hunter MID
Tim English RUC/FWD