Best 22 projections for 2020: Sydney, West Coast, Western Bulldogs

We’re going through each side and predicting their best 22 for the 2020 season.

Today, we’ve looked at the potential best 22’s of Sydney, West Coast and Western Bulldogs.

Sydney

B: Aliir Aliir, Dane Rampe, Jake Lloyd

HB: Jordan Dawson, Tom McCartin, Callum Mills

C: Isaac Heeney, Josh Kennedy, Ollie Florent

HF: Lewis Taylor, Lance Franklin, Nick Blakey

F: Will Hayward, Sam Reid, Tom Papley

FOLL: Callum Sinclair, George Hewett, Luke Parker

I/C: Harry Cunningham, Sam Naismith, Colin O’Riordan, James Rowbottom

The Swans missed out on finals for the first time since 2009 as they look to rebuild with a flock of youth coming into the side.

The trade period didn’t bring about a whole lot of change, with the addition of Lewis Taylor their only new signing. Taylor struggled for playing time at the Lions last season, but he should slot straight into the Swans’ best 22.

Sydney farewelled club stalwarts Jarryd McVeigh and Kieran Jack, but the rise of youngsters Nick Blakey, Jordan Dawson and Tom Papley should offset their exits. While it is unlikely they’ll make a charge for a finals berth in 2020, the Swans are undoubtedly looking to the future now with the amount of youth they have in their squad now.

Yet despite all of this, they still have Lance Franklin – and if the chatter surrounding his pre-season form, then the Swans may start moving up the ladder quicker than we anticipate.

West Coast

B: Liam Duggan, Tom Barrass, Brad Sheppard

HB: Shannon Hurn, Jeremy McGovern, Lewis Jetta

C: Dom Sheed, Elliot Yeo, Andrew Gaff

HF: Jamie Cripps, Jack Darling, Jack Petruccelle

F: Oscar Allen, Josh Kennedy, Liam Ryan

FOLL: Nic Naitanui, Luke Shuey, Tim Kelly

I/C: Tom Hickey, Mark Hutchings, Jack Redden, Josh Rotham

West Coast sought out one player only this trade period, and despite missing out on him in the 2018 offseason, they finally got their man – Tim Kelly.

The Eagles’ lineup was already stacked, but now with the addition of former Cat Kelly, the Eagles are clearly one of the early premiership favourites for 2020.

The Eagles have always been rated poorly in contested footy by Champion Data, but the addition of Kelly should see that improve after Kelly had more contested possession than any Eagle bar Elliot Yeo for 2019.

Yeo’s ability to hit the scoreboard is also a handy addition to the Eagles’ midfield, with his 24 goals last season surpassing Dom Sheed’s 16 which led the Eagles’ midfield group last season.

A final-round loss to Hawthorn derailed what could have been successive Grand Final appearances, but with the addition of Kelly to an already deep squad, the Eagles will most certainly be one of the teams to beat come the pointy end of the 2020 season.

Western Bulldogs

B: Matt Suckling, Alex Keath, Hayden Crozier

HB: Jason Johannisen, Zaine Cordy, Easton Wood

C: Lachie Hunter, Marcus Bontempelli, Ed Richards

HF: Bailey Smith, Josh Bruce, Sam Lloyd

F: Bailey Dale, Aaron Naughton, Toby McLean

FOLL: Tim English, Josh Dunkley, Jack Macrae

I/C: Taylor Duryea, Patrick Lipinski, Caleb Daniel, Josh Schache

The Dogs made a late charge to September in 2019, but that all came to an abrupt end in the first week as the Giants taught them a tough lesson.

But if they are able to get off to a stronger start, then 2020 is full of potential. Their team won’t change much, but they did pick up two huge additions in the 2019 trade period with Alex Keath and Josh Bruce joining the Kennel.

These additions mean they have their bookends covered with readymade talent, with Bruce pushing out Josh Schache for a starting spot in Round 1.

The Bulldogs’ midfield of Lachie Hunter, Marcus Bontempelli, Josh Dunkley, Jack Macrae, Ed Richards is one of the strongest in the league, and they have young ruck Tim English continuing to improve as well as second-year player Bailey Smith playing through the middle and up forward.

They have a young and exciting crop of players, with many from the premature 2016 premiership side hitting the prime period of their careers in the next few years.

The Bulldogs will be a certainty for finals in 2020, and they undoubtedly can challenge for the premiership.