AFL GameDay Squad Round 22 Preview | Best Matchups, PODs & Key Trends

Beast Mode
Aug 7
4 min read

Updated: Aug 19

The AFL GameDay Squad Round 22 Preview is here, bringing you the latest insights to help you dominate this week’s GDS competitions.

We saw some big scores in Round 21 with lots of premium players getting plenty of the ball. A lot of the top averaging players across each line showed just why they are the best players and need to be considered each week.

With some AFL sides well and truly putting the cue in the rack, there are going to be some very attractive matchups each week as those teams still contending look to hit their stride before finals. What should we focus on for Round 22? Let’s take a look at each line.

DEFENDERS

Just about all of the premium defenders scored well last week, with the worst scores being from Dayne Zorko (97) and Jack Sinclair (98). Matchup wise, Richmond continue to be a target for designated kickers as not much pressure is applied. Even if he spends some time in other roles, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (138 GDS AV) has to be an absolute lock and played in high rarities where possible. Jack Sinclair (121 GDS AV) wasn’t amazing last week but should bounce back this round and I won’t be dropping him. Max Holmes (123 GDS AV) also can move around in his role but should have no issues finding the ball against Essendon. Dayne Zorko (125 GDS AV) has been down of late and could be a risk to play against Sydney if they go to tag. I prefer other fringe option John Noble (113 GDS AV) who has been very consistent of late with 5 good scores in his last 6 games. If you want a POD, I would love to see Tom Stewart (94 GDS AV) bounce back against Essendon but it would be a risky option.

MIDFIELDERS

It feels nearly impossible to get 6 good scores out of your midfield each week! Anyone who started their round with a Tom Green 81 would have probably not checked many scores for the rest of the weekend. This week he plays North Melbourne who are a friendly matchup for midfielders but I can’t trust him at the moment! If you want a reliable player Jordan Dawson (129 GDS AV) has been in decent form and should find it easy against West Coast this weekend. Errol Gulden (122 GDS AV) is against Brisbane this week who don’t normally run with a shutdown tag. I expect he will be great. With Lachie Neale out, Josh Dunkley (120 GDS AV) and Hugh McLuggage (119 GDS AV) will have plenty of ball to share around and should hopefully see lots of it. Marcus Bontempelli (125 GDS AV) should be a great option this weekend also. Now the 6^th highest averaging midfielder, Matt Rowell (121 GDS AV) has been in amazing form. I am a little nervous about him away from home but from Round 11 onwards he has been unbelievable and I will be backing him in.

RUCKS

The rucks have been very high scoring of late and need to be played with high rarities in GDS competitions. Usually a 127 from Max Gawn would be a great score, but alternative options like Brodie Grundy 164 and Rowan Marshall 160 still cost coaches who missed either of them last week. This week, Max Gawn (126 GDS AV) has the best match up against Tim English (123 GDS AV). Gawn himself isn’t an easy match up so English might not be the next best option. I like Rowan Marshall (119 GDS AV) as the second ruck and he should score well against Richmond. The other main option is Brodie Grundy (122 GDS AV) who is in an amazing form and not the hardest match up against Brisbane. If you are after a change compared to other coaches, Tristian Xerri (111 GDS AV) will be back and against GWS could put up a big return score. You will be on Xerri Island with him so quite a risk if it goes wrong.

FORWARDS

Friday night looms as a big night for forwards. Geelong players should be able to get plenty of action against Essendon. I like all of Jeremy Cameron (102 GDS AV), Gryan Miers (112 GDS AV), Shaun Mannagh (104 GDS AV) and of course the highest averaging forward Bailey Smith (140 GDS AV). The other easy target is West Coast who Crows get to play on this week. Izak Rankine (104 GDS AV) and Riley Thilthorpe (97 GDS AV) could both go big. Filling out the last couple of spits will likely be Luke Jackson (109 GDS AV) and Kozzie Pickett (109 GDS AV). Whilst being the 4^th highest averaging forward, Jack Macrae (110 GDS AV) has been down of late and might be one that coaches start to avoid. Similar for Matt Kennedy (114 GDS AV) who is slowing down a bit but still has the role.

POD Review – Round 21

Christian Petracca – 86 – Bad, very surprising he didn’t get more of it vs West Coast
Brayden Fiorini – 125 – Take that
Callum Mills – 117 – Good enough especially if you took over Jack Sinclair
Joel Jeffrey – 119 – Great for a forward and unique
Shaun Mannagh – 107 – Take that, surprised his score wasn’t higher with 26 disposals