The 2022 AFL regular season has ended, and with that, so has the most challenging fantasy season in recent times. Big name injuries, covid-19 protocols and an entire positional group decimated. That didn't kill the spirits of all the fantasy coaches around the world who stuck it out for the entire season! Now that the season is over for another year, it's time to hand out some online hardware. We will be reviewing every team's fantasy season and awarding those who stood out. To kick us off we have the Gold Coast Suns! Let us know your thoughts on who we have included below on all of our socials - twitter, facebook, instagram, discord.
GRADE
B+ What a year it was for the Gold Coast Suns! I was one of the many pessimistic Suns members in the pre-season when we knew we were going into battle without Ben King, it seemed like Stewy Dew was already halfway out the door and it was becoming more and more likely they might need a new winter wardrobe for Tasmania. Fast forward to today, and there’s never been more life in the Gold Coast Suns! It would have been amazing to see them play finals footy but for the first time in a Suns fan's life, there is a buzz and optimism that gets you excited for Suns games. Touk Miller, Noah Anderson, Jarrod Witts, and Brandon Ellis all had fantastic fantasy seasons. Noah Anderson especially established himself as one of the best dynasty prospects in the game. Who knows what 2023 holds for the Suns, but for once, I’m excited to take the ride.
Most Valuable Player
Touk Miller
The heart and soul of the Suns - Touk Miller is comfortably the 2022 fantasy MVP. He couldn’t quite reach the 2021 ceiling he hit with an average of 138 GDS points, his 2022 average of 129 GDS points just missed the mark. Despite what the numbers say, Miller ranked 5th of all GameDay Squad footy players in 2022, further cementing his status as one of the best fantasy assets in the league right now. Lock and load Miller up as a starter again next season, you won't want to miss out!
Performance of the Year
Touk Miller
Touk Miller had the biggest score for the Suns in 2022. His big day against the Demons in round 2 included :
24 Kicks
14 Handballs
6 Marks
7 Tackles
170 GDS fantasy points!
Rookie of the Year
Elijah Hollands
We had to wait patiently until round 19 but when pick 7 in the 2020 draft finally made his debut, it was clear to see why the Suns were so invested in him. Elijah Hollands hit the ground running from the get-go, scoring 75 GDS fantasy points in his debut game against the Brisbane Lions. Hollands' best score of his five games was in round 21 where he went ballistic for 143 GDS fantasy points against Hawthorn, reminding everyone why the Suns selected him 7th overall two drafts ago. His scoring potential is huge and he’s one to stash away for when he hits the consistency we are all expecting.
Surprise of the Year
David Swallow
I was super ready to write David Swallow off at the start of the year. I just couldn’t see where he fit in the team, a midfield make-up of Touk Miller, Noah Anderson and Matt Rowell seemed cemented and ready to go. It didn’t take long for Swallow to be deployed as a defender and his fantasy production was surprisingly pretty solid! He finished the year with a more than respectable average of 95 GDS points and his season included some monster games such as his 148 score in round 21 and his biggest score of 165 in round 23. I’ll be following his and the squads first few 2023 pre-season games to try and get a feeling of what role he might have. If it’s in defence, he could be a starter again!
Most Improved
Noah Anderson
What a phenomenal year young gun Noah Anderson had. Anderson took his game to another level in 2022, averaging career highs in all major statistical categories. His average on the year which was 119 GDS fantasy points ranked him 20th overall league-wide, 16th overall among midfielders and 1st overall for all players 21 years old and under (2001). He has become an elite option for not just fantasy right now, but he’s established himself as one of the league's best dynasty fantasy football assets in the game.
Disappointment of the Year
Matt Rowell
On the flip side, Noah Anderson’s best mate Matty Rowell didn’t enjoy the year we thought he might have when looking at season projections in the pre-season. We thought with a bill of health that Rowell would return to the form we saw in his blistering start to his career, but we didn’t quite see that level of fantasy production as he only went on to average 88 GDS fantasy points on the year. I’d argue that a healthy season for Rowell was a win in itself, I have a sneaky suspicion that we might see the Matt Rowell that polled the best of ground performances in as many games when he burst onto the scene in 2020.
Optimism and being a Gold Coast Suns fan aren't two things that co-exist. But 2022 was a massive season for the Gold Coast Suns, matching their best-ever ladder position finish with 12th (12th in 2014). Stewy Dew and the powers that be really did turn this club around and for the first time in a long time, some trust in the playing group, front office and excitement around Metricon has fans looking forward to 2023!
GameDay Squad is a new fantasy sports platform that uses blockchain technology. Register now to receive free starter packs to build your squad.
Listen to the GameDay Squad Footy podcast on Spotify, Apple, or on our YouTube Channel.