GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 08: Jack Ziebell of the Kangaroos celebrates his goal during the round 12 AFL match between the Gold Coast Suns and the North Melbourne Kangaroos at Metricon Stadium on June 08, 2019 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Jono Searle/AFL Photos/Getty Images)

Champion Data has revealed the AFL Fantasy positions for season 2022, with the biggest changes coming from the forward line.

Only four of 2021's top 15 averaging FWDs have retained their status for next season, while the top five scorers have all been removed as FWD options.

Brisbane's Dayne Zorko has long been a dual position favourite. Last season, the leader of the pride was the highest scorer among FWDs. However, he is now only available as a MID, given his leading role in the Lions' engine room.

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Amongst the top five were North Melbourne pair Aaron Hall and Jack Ziebell, but as the two Roos racked up their stats behind the ball, they will available as DEF options going next season.

Rucks Sean Darcy and Rowan Marshall were highly popular RUC/FWD options, but they too have lost their FWD eligibility.

Rucks with the option to to be placed as a forward are a gold mine in AFL Fantasy, as they are amongst the highest fantasy scorers every game.

Meanwhile, Josh Kelly, Isaac Smith, Patrick Dangerfield, Lachie Hunter, Nat Fyfe and Scott Pendlebury will all be MID only next season.

AFL Fantasy coaches shouldn't worry too much as several star fantasy scorers will still be available as dual-position players, with Steele Sidebottom, Chad Wingard, Tarryn Thomas, Shai Bolton, Dustin Martin and Josh Dunkley will retaining their FWD status.

Given this flexibility, this collective are certain to be among the top picks in 2022.

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In other good news, Mitch Duncan, Stephen Coniglio, Tim Taranto and Adam Treloar will all be MID/FWDs. The quartet have all averaged more than 100 points in multiple seasons.

And as for defence?

Rory Laird and Callum Mills, the first and third ranked defenders respectivley, are now MID only, after consistently featuring in the centre.

The battle for best DEF next year will be an interesting space to watch.

All positions will be revealed when AFL Fantasy launches for 2022 in the coming weeks.

Key Fantasy positions club-by-club

Adelaide

Brodie Smith DEF
Jordan Dawson DEF
Lachlan Sholl MID
Rory Laird MID
Harry Schoenberg MID

Brisbane

Zac Bailey MID/FWD
Dayne Zorko MID

Carlton

Zac Williams DEF
George Hewett DEF/MID
Matthew Kennedy MID
Paddy Dow MID

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 14: Zac Williams of the Blues kicks during a Carlton Blues AFL training session at Ikon Park on December 14, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Collingwood

Will Kelly DEF/FWD
Jack Crisp DEF/MID
Jordan De Goey MID/FWD
Steele Sidebottom MID/FWD
Josh Daicos MID
Nick Daicos MID
Patrick Lipinski MID

Essendon

Dyson Heppell DEF
Nick Hind DEF
Jake Stringer MID/FWD
Kyle Langford MID
Jye Caldwell MID

Fremantle

Michael Walters FWD
Will Brodie MID/FWD
Nat Fyfe MID
Jordan Clark MID
Sean Darcy RUC

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 12: Sean Darcy of the Dockers sets for a bounce contest during the 2018 AFL round 21 match between the Fremantle Dockers and the Carlton Blues at Optus Stadium on August 12, 2018 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Geelong

Zach Tuohy DEF/MID
Shaun Higgins FWD
Mitch Duncan MID/FWD
Patrick Dangerfield MID
Isaac Smith MID

Gold Coast

Jack Lukosius DEF/MID
Lachie Weller MID/FWD
Elijah Hollands MID/FWD

GWS Giants

Lachie Whitfield DEF/MID
Stephen Coniglio MID/FWD
Tim Taranto MID/FWD
Josh Kelly MID

AFL Rd 7 - GWS v Brisbane
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 18: Stephen Coniglio of the Giants leads his team out during the round 7 AFL match between the Greater Western Sydney Giants and the Brisbane Lions at GIANTS Stadium on July 18, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Hawthorn

Jarman Impey DEF
Lachlan Bramble DEF
Chad Wingard MID/FWD
Tom Phillips MID
Finn Maginness MID/FWD
Ben McEvoy RUC/FWD

Melbourne

James Harmes MID
Luke Jackson RUC/FWD

North Melbourne

Aaron Hall DEF
Jack Ziebell DEF
Jaidyn Stephenson FWD
Jed Anderson MID/FWD
Tarryn Thomas MID/FWD
Will Phillips MID/FWD
Luke McDonald MID
Jason Horne-Francis MID

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 24: Number one draft pick Jason Horne-Francis goes to North Melbourne
during the NAB AFL Draft at the Cathedral Hotel on November 24, 2021 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos)

Port Adelaide

Dan Houston DEF
Connor Rozee FWD
Zak Butters FWD
Miles Bergman MID

Richmond

Daniel Rioli DEF/FWD
Shai Bolton MID/FWD
Thomson Dow MID/FWD
Dustin Martin MID/FWD
Jack Graham MID/FWD

St Kilda

Bradley Hill DEF
Hunter Clark DEF/MID
Jack Higgins FWD
Jack Billings MID
Jade Gresham MID/FWD
Rowan Marshall RUC
Paddy Ryder RUC

AFL Rd 3 - Collingwood v St Kilda
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 20: Rowan Marshall of the Saints celebrates a goal during the round 3 AFL match between the Collingwood Magpies and the St Kilda Saints at Melbourne Cricket Ground on June 20, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/AFL Photos/via Getty Images )

Sydney Swans

Nick Blakey DEF
Braeden Campbell DEF
Isaac Heeney FWD
Callum Mills MID
Callum Sinclair RUC/FWD

West Coast

Liam Duggan DEF/MID

Western Bulldogs

Bailey Dale DEF
Josh Schache DEF/FWD
Adam Treloar MID/FWD
Josh Dunkley MID/FWD
Lachie Hunter MID
Tim English RUC/FWD

AFL Rd 4 - Western Bulldogs v Brisbane
BALLARAT, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 10: Josh Dunkley of the Bulldogs in action during the 2021 AFL Round 04 match between the Western Bulldogs and the Brisbane Lions at Mars Stadium on April 10, 2021 in Ballarat, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)