MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 04: Aaron Hall of the Kangaroos looks dejected after a loss during the 2021 AFL Round 16 match between the Western Bulldogs and the North Melbourne Kangaroos at Marvel Stadium on July 4, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

After many weeks of waiting, we are only now one week out from the beginning of the 2022 AFL Premiership season, with so much intrigue over how each club will fare.

As with every campaign, there will be clubs who soar and exceed expectations, delivering fans with excitement over what the present and future will shape into. 

However, there will equally be those who fall short of their ambitions and finish the season on a low, with 2021 producing a plethora of fallen giants who look doomed to the rebuild.

Before the first ball is bounced next Wednesday, we here at Zero Hanger have laid out what would constitute a pass-mark for season 2022 for all 18 AFL clubs. 

Putting the goals into the form of a minimum amount of wins for the season, here is each team's benchmark for the coming year. 

Adelaide: 7+ wins 

Matthew Nicks’ Crows took some baby steps last year towards returning to where they want to be, however there is still some way to go before Adelaide can be considered a competitive force again. 

Around the seven-win mark should be a successful campaign for the club, which should typically see them finish around the mid-section of the bottom ten. With star man Rory Laird out for the first month of the season, it will be a testing start to the year for the Crows as they look to make even more inroads.

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Brisbane: 17+ wins

With the team that the Lions boast now, there is no reason that they cannot make the top two and secure an easy route to the big dance. However, as we’ve seen with Chris Fagan’s side in the past, finishing top-two does not guarantee a Grand Final appearance, with the Lions failing to make it stick for the past three seasons when presented with a double-chance scenario.

That being said, it may be fourth time lucky this year for Brisbane, and gathering at least 17 victories over the course of the home-and-away season would give them the best chance possible at finally gaining redemption for the shortcomings of yesteryear.

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Carlton: 11+ wins 

The Blues are looking like they’ve finally got something to get excited about under the guidance of new coach Michael Voss and, with the off-season recruitment they’ve had, they should make finals.

However, it seems like every year it’s the same old recurring theme for Carlton - the pre-season hype, the failure and then the fallout. 

Their pre-season games this year have shown something different than past years, with the side’s ball movement seeming much more proficient than prior and new recruits showing shades of promise. Therefore, 11 victories are the benchmark for the Blues with the talent they have in their side leaving little excuse for mediocrity this year. 

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Collingwood: 7+ wins 

The Pies are heading in a positive direction, however similar to the Crows will be nowhere near the calibre of the side that they were three years ago. Their off-season activity has shown that they are building towards something under coach Craig McRae but it will take a few more years before they can challenge again.

Around eight wins should see them finish in the belly of the bottom ten and give fans some moments to cheer about over the course of 2022, with plenty of youngsters within the side sure to gain wisdom and experience from their encounters throughout the year.

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Essendon: 11+ wins 

Ben Rutten’s Bombers were in fine form in 2021 and should have no reason not to be able to kick on and go one better this year. It’s been 6394 days since Essendon last won a final, however, this is the year that it has to change for the side. Once they win one, who knows what can happen at the business end of the season.

Eleven wins should see them safely into September action, however, with plenty of teams vying for spots in the lower half of the top eight, the Bombers will have to show even more improvement in 2022 should they want to return to September action.

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Fremantle: 11+ wins 

It’s no question that the Dockers are building towards something really special over in Perth, and their pre-season hitouts against cross-town rivals West Coast have served to only boost their confidence ahead of what promises to be a big year for them. Last year the side so nearly made finals, however, this year has to be the year where they take the next step and return to September footy. 

Their off-season recruitment has excited many a fan - both Freo faithful and neutral - and should they work out their consistency problems could shake some teams at the top of the table when they come up against them. Eleven wins is the benchmark this year, however don’t be surprised if they exceed this total.

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Geelong: 15+ wins 

Although this one will be tough to see transpire, the Cats are all-in this year with this season likely marking the end of an era for the current playing group. The vast majority of the side’s stars are nearing the final stages of their career and, with a lack of young blood coming through, means what comes next is set to be a huge rebuild.

That being said, the side still has quality throughout and with the disappointment of last year’s preliminary final still fresh in the memory, Geelong will have redemption on their mind as they take to the field this year. A top-four berth, or around 15 wins, should be enough to give themselves the best possible chance at making an unlikely second grand final in three years and giving their stars one last hurrah. 

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Gold Coast: 8+ wins

Prior to the beginning of 2022 many thought that the Suns would be able to finally kick on this year and challenge considering the recruitment they had performed over the summer. However, with an ACL injury to star forward Ben King keeping him out for the year, the expectations of fans may have changed. 

Although the side has shown good promise throughout pre-season, it remains to be seen whether or not they can keep it going into the home-and-away rounds with their main goalscorer out of the picture. Despite this, eight wins wouldn’t be out of the question and if they get a good run together, who knows what could happen for the Suns this year with the young talent they possess.

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Greater Western Sydney: 11+ wins 

The Giants are a team that contains so much talent and class, however can’t seem to translate it into tangible success with the 2019 Grand Final the closest they have come to winning a flag. In saying that, with a mix of established talent as well as budding youngsters, there is no reason why the Giants can’t be in amongst September action this year.

It’s a question of fitness and consistency with the Giants, and if they can keep those two at optimal levels then they pose a dangerous task for the rest of the competition. With the enigma that they have been over the past couple of years, eleven wins and a finals appearance seems like it could be a safe bet, however don’t be surprised if they either exceed that total by a handsome margin. 

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Hawthorn: 7+ wins 

Sam Mitchell faces a stern task at the Hawks, however, expectations will not be overly high at Waverley Park considering it’s his first year at the helm. The top-end talent the Hawks have aren’t getting any younger, however, luckily the club have some very exciting young guns to look forward to in the future. 

Although there won’t be lofty goals in his first year, he will still be expected to beat clubs around him and finish somewhere around the belly of the bottom ten. Seven wins was enough last year for the Hawks to finish in 14th, and if a few things go their way then there is no reason why they can’t be there again in 2022.

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Melbourne: 17+ wins

After having a 2021 season that was beyond the wildest dreams of their long-suffering fans, it’s time for the Dees to set about retaining the premiership cup. As with most premiership sides over the past few years, Simon Goodwin’s side was extremely lucky with injuries and will have to be so again in 2022 if they want to make it back-to-back flags.

With the age of the side and the relentless nature they went about their football last year, it’s difficult to see anyone toppling the Demons in 2022. Barring perhaps internal issues, Melbourne should have no reason not to get at least 17 wins this year and sew up a second consecutive minor premiership and catapult themself to a 14th premiership.

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North Melbourne: 7+ wins

Although the Roos claimed the wooden spoon in 2021, there was widespread optimism at the end of the year over the steps that the side as a whole took. Their recruitment over the off-season has given further cause for excitement with Pick 1 Jason Horne-Francis joining the ranks at Arden Street and already wowing the Roos camp with his innate gift for the game.

In saying this, it could be another tough year for North again. However, there should be even more signs of improvement with another year under David Noble and added personnel meaning there should be steps taken. Seven wins and a non-wooden spoon finish would be a good campaign for the Roos all things considered.

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Port Adelaide: 17+ wins 

Another year of heartache ensued in 2021 for Ken Hinkley’s Power, with a shellacking in the preliminary final meaning that they went home from a finals series empty-handed for the second consecutive year. However, a second-place finish during the home-and-away season meant that they had the consistency throughout the year to indicate that they might have had what it took to go all the way.

Ken Hinkley would be wanting a repeat of the home-and-away season in 2022 and there is a good chance there will be one. 17 wins are within Port Adelaide’s range and if they can finally break the mental barrier in a preliminary final to make it to the Grand Final, then it could be a huge year for the Power faithful.

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Richmond: 15+ wins

The Tigers were well below par in 2021 and will be looking to get back to where they belong at the top of the table in 2022. However, the team is not the same one that took to the field in that 2020 Grand Final, and will likely feature a few more fringe players and youngsters than many Richmond fans would like. 

In saying that, if the side can avoid the level of injuries they suffered last year then perhaps they can push towards the top four if results go their way. 15 wins should see them finish towards the top half of the sudden death places or even sneak into the top four, however, do not be surprised if they do not manage to reach those heights.

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St Kilda: 11+ wins

Brett Ratten’s St Kilda outfit failed to live up to the heights of 2020 last season as injuries and lack of depth were exposed, culminating in a 10th place finish. It is definitely not all doom and gloom at RSEA Park though, with the side’s ‘best’ still being good enough to stick it to the teams around and above them.

The question that will be presented in 2022 will be can they perform at their best on enough occasions to warrant a finals position. However, 11 wins should be the benchmark for the Saints this year considering the time that Brett Ratten has had with the side, with the number being good enough in 2021 for teams to make the eight. 

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Sydney: 15+ wins 

The Swans blew away the competition in 2021 courtesy of a meteoric rise to the top half of the table, with their youngsters laying down the marker of perhaps being the very best in the competition. Their campaign came to a premature close in the first week of finals however after crosstown rivals GWS pipped them in Tasmania. 

2022 should warrant a loftier ambition than just making finals for John Longmire and the club should be focussing on making a mark on September instead of a first-week exit. Therefore 15 wins is a realistic goal for the Swans considering it will likely give them a home elimination final, hopefully allowing them to springboard from there.

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West Coast: 8+ wins 

Coming into 2021, you’d be laughed at for thinking that the Eagles would be struggling to stay out of the bottom four come the start of 2022. However, the reality of the situation now is that West Coast is a struggling outfit, with a growing list of injuries all before the first ball of the home-and-away season is even bounced.

Adam Simpson would be at a loss as to how he could possibly motivate this group to press on and try to get something out of 2022, but if he could muster his side into winning eight games it would be enough to see them finish in the mid-section of the bottom ten and get a bit of pride back into his squad.

Anything above that would be a massive win for the side, however, anything below wouldn’t come as a huge shock to supporters - both neutral and Eagle faithful. 

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Western Bulldogs: 17+ wins 

There would have been only one word floating around Whitten Oval - redemption. The Dogs were put to the sword in 2021’s Grand Final and would be chomping at the bit to right their wrongs. Unlike some premiership teams, this Doggies side seems to be coming into their own as of current, so there is no reason why they cannot get back to where they were in 2022. 

Therefore, over 17 wins and avenging their Grand Final horror show is the pass-mark for the Dogs this year. The list of the side is up there with the best in the competition as a perfect balance between experience and youth and could get even better as the years roll on. If they stay in Melbourne for the entire finals series, it’s hard to contemplate any team stopping them barring their 2021 Grand Final opponents. 

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