Pussies Geelong… The greatest team of all in 2022. From a fantasy perspective, a strong season ranking 2nd overall for Fantasy points for without having a player averaging over 100! A testament to a champion team full of contributors week in, week out.

In these reviews, we will take a closer look at each club’s Fantasy snapshot for season 2022, whilst I nominate players for MVP, best rookie and biggest flop. I will also provide my two cents on what to look out for in 2023!

Most Valuable Player (MVP)

Geelong had four players average 90+, those being:

• C.Guthrie – 95.9 from 22 games
• T.Stewart – 94.4 from 17 games
• M.Duncan – 92.6 from 19 games
• M.Blicavs – 90.3 from 21 games

On those numbers, you’d say Guthrie for sure… Until you consider that his average went backwards by 15 points on 2021 and didn’t ton in the first five games, averaging a paltry 81 in that time! I imagine Stewart would have surpassed Guth if he didn’t knock Dion ‘Meatballs’ Prestia into next week, resulting in a four week holiday. Despite a solid season from Duncan and a much improved Mark Blicavs, Guthrie gets over the line purely on the numbers! He managed a seven round patch with five scores eclipsing 110, genuine uber premo numbers.

Best Rookie

From a delisted free agent to an All-Australian forward pocket in the space of 12 months, take a bow Tyson Stengle! A great pick up for the Cats as well as Fantasy coaches in season 2022. Tonned up in R1 only to follow with a putrid 21 in what owners were praying was not a sign of things to come. Thankfully, this was Stengle’s worst Fantasy score by some margin as he went on to average 70.5, playing all 22 games! They must be doing something right down at the Cattery. Quick shoutout to Sam De Koning as well. Despite all the stick I gave him early on in the season, showed he is at the level and most certainly will be a better player than his Fantasy scores suggest in years to come! As long as he doesn’t get caught up full-time caring at the Kardinia retirement village, he’s got all the tools to become an elite key defender.

Biggest Flop

Strangely enough, I considered Cam Guthrie for biggest flop given his 15 point drop in average despite claiming MVP… Then I dug a little deeper and a big name stood out like dog’s balls. P.Dangerfield to be exact! Now I know his role changed and it was borderline Fantasy suicide to select the gun but the numbers don’t lie. 2022 was Danger’s worst averaging season since 2011 (76)! Eight of his fifteen outings resulted in scores of <80… In a team full of champions, unfortunately someone had to cop the flop tag, and this season it’s Danger.

2023 Watchlist

The well-oiled machine seemingly gets stronger down at the Cattery with Bowes and pick 7 on the way for sweet FA along with GWS youngster Tanner Bruhn. Don’t think adding these two will bring the average age below 30… Retirement village gags aside, I will be watching how these additions effect other players – for instance, does Bowes play a role down back and shark a few kick-ins off Stewart? Or does he along with Tanner Bruhn become trusted with heavy midfield minutes with an already ageing midfield mix? I like the look of Tommy Atkins as a bit of an heir apparent to Selwood, a tough tackling machine who has tremendous upside if he can start to accumulate more footy – so he is one I will be keeping on my watchlist over the preseason. In other news, Ted Maher’s brother (Ollie Henry) landed at the Cats. No Fantasy relevance whatsoever just thought I’d toss it in!

So there you have it folks, the seventh of the Fantasy Fanatic’s 2022 Reviews! Stay tuned for more new content, Fold Gold Coast are up next.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments below! Feedback, comments and banter welcome.

Cheers legends,

Fantasy Fanatic #70