Which player, who is not actually new to your club, will act as a ‘new recruit’ in 2022?
Sam Edmund and Adam Cooney discussed the topic on SEN Breakfast, naming some of their own new recruits while receiving some nominations from listeners.
These are players who may have missed most of 2021 (and/or 2020) through injury, those who have been waiting behind others for an opportunity or those who are set to change positions.
See the 2022 ‘new recruits’ from your club below:
Wayne Milera
Cooney: “He’s only played two games in the last two seasons, just riddled with injury.
“But if they can get him running off half-back with his drive and line-breaking ability, he could be a definite new recruit.”
Cam Rayner
Edmund: “He was just about ready to go when he was struck down.”
Rayner did not play a game in 2021 after suffering an ACL injury in pre-season.
Charlie Curnow
Cooney: “He’s been the most popular one off the text. I think everyone wants to see him do well whether you’re a Carlton supporter or not.
“You’d have to admit that if Charlie Curnow has a blistering season in 2022, that will bring a smile to most people’s faces unless he’s burying your team.”
Patrick Cripps
Edmund: “If anyone can unlock Cripps, you think it will be the new coach (Michael Voss).”
Cooney: “He has been underperforming over the past few seasons, so if he can get back to full fitness…”
Zac Fisher
Edmund: “He’s another one at the Blues who would be nice to see a bit more footy from.”
Caleb Marchbank
Edmund: “Marchbank has had a horrific run for the last couple of years.”
Jeremy Howe
Edmund: “He did play eight games last year and four the season prior, but granted he’s had a horrific run of late.
“A fit Jeremy Howe and hopefully a newly re-signed Darcy Moore in the back half for the ‘Fly’ Craig McRae would be very welcome.”
Cooney: “It’s good for the competition as well when Jeremy is sitting on people’s heads and taking hangers weekly.”
Michael Hurley
Cooney: “There’s no guarantees that he comes back and plays footy at all, but I just think that if he did and was able to, the forward line is a terrific option for the big fella to fill a hole there that Essendon certainly require.”
Jye Caldwell
Edmund: “He was promising early and then we didn’t see him again until the Elimination Final.
“You get Jye Caldwell fit and firing with many miles left on the clock, that’s exciting for Essendon fans.”
Cooney: “It bolsters their midfield even further.
“Darcy Parish isn’t going anywhere, Dylan Shiel has had a few injury problems as well, so they’re going to have find new positions for these guys.”
Joel Hamling
The key defender played once last year and not at all in 2020. Fremantle simply need him fit and in form.
Alex Pearce
Has played just 21 games in the past three seasons. Is crucial to Freo’s defence alongside Hamling.
Mitch Duncan
Was restricted to just 13 games in 2021. Played well when fit but the Cats will need a full season out of him to contend in 2022.
Jeremy Cameron
As a new recruit in 2021, he did play 15 games for the Cats, but it was a stuttering season. He ended up kicking 39 goals but never really got going.
If Cameron is fit in 2022, look out.
Jarrod Witts
A knee injury restricted the co-captain to just three games in 2021. He is one of the Suns’ most influential players.
Stephen Coniglio
Cooney: “16 games in 2020 at an average of 21 disposals after taking over the captaincy. Last year, just seven games at an average of 14 disposals.
“This is a guy who took the competition by storm a few years ago. Since taking over the captaincy he’s had injury and form issues.
“If he can get back to his best, the Giants will stay around that finals race.”
Edmund: “He was in the conversation for best player in the comp.”
James Sicily
On suggestions he could play forward:
Cooney: “I really like him as an intercept defender. I think Will Day can push up tp the wing and Changkuoth Jiath is a running defender, and I think Sicily is the main man.”
Jack Gunston
The 209-game, 398-goal forward played just one game in 2021 due to a back injury.
Will Day
Edmund: “There’s a guy who only played five games last season and 11 games the year prior. He’s had a string of injuries all the way through.
“Very good player but we haven’t seen him get a consistent run at it.
“They’ve got several at Hawthorn and literally a new signing in their coach in Sam Mitchell.”
Adam Tomlinson
Was in great form early this season before he was cut down by a knee injury, missing the drought-breaking flag as a result.
His return to fitness will only boost an already stacked Demons 22.
Aidan Corr
Edmund: “He gets to North Melbourne from GWS and after about five minutes he gets hit by turf toe. That pretty much summed up Aidan Corr’s season at North Melbourne.
“They get him in and he will make a profound difference.”
Cooney: “Robbie Tarrant has gone to Richmond so that’s certainly a hole that needs to be filled. Aidan Corr will be that man.”
Zak Butters
Edmund: “Missed months in 2021, moved into the midfield just prior to that. I know Kane Cornes has got big hopes for his man Zak Butters next year.”
Ivan Soldo
The ruckman has not played since Round 17 of the 2020 season, missing all of 2021 with a knee injury.
Will provide welcomed help for Toby Nankervis.
Daniel Rioli
On becoming a permanent half-back:
Edmund: “He was moved to half-back in the second half of the season. He was excellent at half-back and found a home there.
“He’s got the speed, he’s good by foot and makes pretty good decisions. I think he’ll be a very stable half-back.
“Bachar Houli’s gone and that’s a match made in heaven and like a new signing, as they say.”
Dion Prestia
Played only nine games in 2021 after nine in 2020. Is one of Richmond’s most important players and a full season will help push them back towards September action.
Jade Gresham
Edmund: “A dynamic player for the Saints. He is the ace in the pack for that midfield that is a bit ‘samey’ and he can make things happen.”
Ben Paton
Missed all of 2021 with a broken leg suffered at pre-season training in a tackle from Jarryd Roughead. His lockdown ability in defence was sorely missed.
Dylan Stephens
First-round draft pick who has payed 14 games in his first two seasons. With Jordan Dawson now gone, could there be a role for Stephens off half-back and on the wing?
Elliot Yeo
Edmund: “Only really got moving late in the season.”
Willie Rioli
Edmund: “What a journey Willie Rioli has had.”
Rioli has not played for the Eagles since 2019. Had found his niche as a dangerous small forward prior to that.
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan
Edmund: “I know he played five games in the second half of the season, but I think he’s ready to take it on.
“Josh Bruce won’t be there of course, Sam Darcy won’t be ready we don’t think, so there’s a spot. Jamarra lines up in the forward 50 and I think he could be really exciting next year.”
Toby McLean
Cooney: “He’s one who is a hero at the Dogs with that 2016 side. Has missed a lot of footy over the past couple of years, he’s a good nomination as he is one who the ‘Dishies’ (Dogs) love.”
Edmund: “He just makes things happen, he’s a real impact player, something happens every time goes near the pill.”