The Herald-Sun has our best 22 (for 2019) being Rance, Graham & Stack into our premiership side and Nank, Baker & Pickett out. One of the latter would come back in for the departed Ellis for 2020 best 22.
Sarah Black
afl.com.au
6 October 2019Best 22 in 2019 if everyone was availableB: Dylan Grimes, Alex Rance, David Astbury
HB: Bachar Houli, Nick Vlastuin, Jayden Short
C: Brandon Ellis, Dion Prestia, Josh Caddy
HF: Shai Bolton, Tom Lynch, Shane Edwards
F: Daniel Rioli, Jack Riewoldt, Jason Castagna
Foll: Ivan Soldo, Dustin Martin, Trent Cotchin
I/C: Nathan Broad, Jack Graham, Kane Lambert, Sydney Stack
DEPTHDefenders: Liam Baker, Ryan Garthwaite, Derek Eggmolesse-Smith, Patrick Naish, Ben Miller
Summary: With Rance in the 22, someone has to make way and that's Baker. Rebounders Eggmolesse-Smith and Naish are two of the most improved players on the list, but key defensive depth is still an issue.
Midfielders: Marlion Pickett, Jack Ross, Kamdyn McIntosh, Riley Collier-Dawkins, Connor Menadue, Fraser Turner, Jacob Townsend, Luke English, Mav Weller
Summary: Strong midfield depth with Pickett being the 23rd player, despite his stunning Grand Final. He had been named as an emergency for several weeks prior, unable to force his way into the side until Graham's injury. There's been a few reports McIntosh may be feeling aggrieved having missed out on the VFL and AFL flags, and he's been a bit lost playing in defence in the twos. However, with Ellis on his way out, McIntosh could regain his position on the wing.
Rucks: Toby Nankervis, Mabior Chol, Noah Balta, Callum Coleman-Jones
Summary: Nankervis misses out on the 22 due to his long-term injury, while Chol and Balta impressed with their work around the ground this year. The buzz around the 20-year-old Coleman-Jones is growing, and he's one to watch in the future.
Forwards: Jack Higgins, Callum Moore, Dan Butler, Oleg Markov, Jake Aarts
Summary: Fingers are crossed for a fully fit Higgins in 2020, having undergone two bouts of brain surgery for a bleed. Moore is a good backup but doesn't look like breaking into the line-up soon, while Butler has been linked to Carlton in particular. Markov has reinvented himself as a deep forward, but consistency within games is still an issue.
WHAT DO THEY NEED? WHO ARE THEY LINKED TO?Key position depth at both ends needs a little assistance, with Garthwaite, Miller (who can play forward or back) and Coleman-Jones (forward-ruck) still some way off. A player in their mid-to-late 20s as a stop-gap measure would work well, but they're hard to come by. After landing their big fish in Lynch in 2018, the Tigers' off-season appears to be fairly quiet.
https://www.afl.com.au/news/2019-10-05/best-22-and-list-depth-how-is-your-club-placed-heading-into-trade-period