AFL 2022 Season Preview

The Demons, who claimed their first flag in 57 years to finish the longest energetic premiership drought, were put in because the bookies’ favourites to head back-to-back. If they are able to re-produce that very same shape, it will be onerous to peer them now not attaining one thing the membership final did again within the Fifties.

Then again, in what is predicted to be a hotly contested season, there are many different very robust contenders all vying for without equal prize, together with final yr’s crushed finalists the Domestic dogs.

Luke Beveridge’s facet put in combination an incredible finals sequence that noticed 3 victories in 3 other states, all the way through the pandemic, prior to falling simply brief within the showpiece match over in Perth, Western Australia.

Even if they had been knocked out in instantly units final time period, the Brisbane Lions could have learnt from that have and glance set to have some other crack. Likewise, 2020 Minor Premiers Port Adelaide, an aspect that experience agonisingly suffered Prelim defeats of their final two campaigns, shall be short of to head one additional this time round.

An overly skilled Geelong outfit have certified for finals in 14 out of the final 15 seasons and are virtually certainties to be there as soon as once more.

In spite of now not making the 8 final yr, write off Richmond at your peril; winners in 2017, 2019 and 2020, the Tigers persisted a in reality tricky run with injures however with everybody now returning are more likely to have a large say with numerous the pundits bullish about their probabilities.

‘Friend’ to succeed in the 1,000 purpose milestone

It isn’t a case of ‘if’ however merely ‘when’ Sydney ahead Lane Franklin (pictured under) rankings his 1,000 AFL purpose. The 35 year-old ahead wishes simply 5 extra majors to finish this wonderful feat, which is bound to draw a large number of hard-earned consideration. It has most effective ever been accomplished by means of 5 different avid gamers in historical past of the sport – Tony Lockett, Gordon Coventry, Jason Dunstall, Doug Wade and Gary Ablett Sr.

Embed from Getty Pictures

Regulations adjustments for 2022

• All avid gamers and personnel are required to be vaccinated in opposition to COVID-19.
• Golf equipment will be capable to name on as much as 20 additional avid gamers from their contingency listing if they have got not up to 28-listed AFL avid gamers to choose between because of COVID-19 instances, accidents and basic unavailability.

This yr will see tighter interpretations to already current regulations as follows:
• Umpires shall be much less lenient against avid gamers who intentionally extend the play. A free-kick or 50-metre penalty shall be awarded.
• Umpires will now not give a caution to avid gamers who intentionally interact in time losing and a free-kick shall be awarded.
• Umpires shall be much less lenient against avid gamers who’ve had prior alternative and don’t right away and accurately put off the Soccer when they’re legally tackled.
• A free-kick shall be awarded in opposition to a participant who geese their head previous to being legally tackled and does now not right away and accurately put off the soccer. Umpire cues for prior alternative comprises: evading, fending, ducking or has a previous possibility.

Layout of the season

The AFL season will include a 23-round common marketing campaign (known as “home-and-away”) all the way through which each and every facet will play 22 fits and feature a ‘bye’, at some degree, across the mid-way level. The crew that finishes most sensible of the ladder is awarded the “minor premiership”. The highest 8 groups then play off in a four-round finals sequence.

How the finals paintings

The highest 4 groups within the 8 obtain the “double likelihood” once they play in week-one qualifying finals. The winners obtain a bye to the 3rd week whilst the losers will nonetheless stay within the finals and can play a semi-final the next week.

The ground 4 of the 8 play knock-out video games – most effective the winners live on and advance within the event. House benefit is going to the crew with the upper ladder place within the first two weeks via to the Initial Ultimate within the 3rd week.

Within the 3rd week, the winners of the semi-finals from week two play the winners of the qualifying finals from the primary week. The winners of the ones fits head to the Grand Ultimate which shall be performed on Saturday 24 September on the MCG.

• Week 1 – Qualifying/Removal finals (2/3/4 September)
• Week 2 – Semi-finals (9/10 September)
• Week 3 – Initial finals (16/17 September)
• Week 4 – Grand last (24 September)