Mark Robinson reveals his top 50 heading into the AFL 2021 season

Two young guns of the AFL both made Mark Robinson’s pre-season top 50. Who is higher — and did Robbo get it right? VOTE ON EVERY PLAYER

There are 13 defenders in this year’s pre-season top 50.

The list does not include Brayden Maynard, Brad Sheppard, Darcy Byrne-Jones, Daniel Rich, Jack Crisp, Dane Rampe, Sam Collins, Tom Stewart, Adam Saad, Dan Houston, Liam Jones nor the injured James Sicily.

Still, there are 13 others.

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In the age of all-ground defence — which the AFL is attempting to conquer, and needs to — it’s staggering how under-appreciated defenders are.

Of the top 50 placegetters in the AFL Coaches’ Association player of the year award, there were only five defenders: Caleb Daniel (35 votes), Luke Ryan (30 votes), Steven May and Jordan Ridley (28 votes) and Darcy Moore (27 votes).

The first 25 spots were filled by midfielders, one ruckman (Nic Naitanui) and two forwards (Liam Ryan and Charlie Dixon).

Of the top 50 placegetters in the Brownlow Medal, there were only two defenders: Moore and Ryan, who both polled six votes.

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So, I’m either overselling defenders, or the umpires and the coaches association are underselling them.

It is not happening at club level, mind you.

Nine defenders won their club’s best-and-fairest awards in 2020: Jacob Weitering, Ridley, Ryan, Sam Collins, Luke McDonald, Darcy Byrne-Jones, Jayden Short, Jake Lloyd and Daniel.

In this top 50, Brisbane’s Harris Andrews (No.15) was the first of the key defenders and Richmond’s Jayden Short (No.35) was the first of the running rebounding defenders — one spot ahead of Daniel.

Dustin Martin is the No.1 player in the competition.

He’s not as consistent as, say, Lachie Neale, but Dusty’s best is the best in the land and it wins premierships.

Familiar names fill the top 10 positions and the player with the rocket beside his name after a so-so 2020 is Carlton’s Patrick Cripps.

MORE: SEE ROBBO’S 2021 SUPERCOACH TEAM

Dustin Martin wins premierships, which is why he’s No.1. Picture: Sarah Reed

His buggered shoulder has mended in the off-season, and he should once again become the dominant force at stoppages — and when he plays forward — for the Blues.

Another bolter is West Coast’s Liam Ryan (No.11). He is a prodigious talent and about to enter his fourth year.

Anyone doubting his standing in the competition should again watch the elimination final against Collingwood.

His match-up with Brayden Maynard was just “Wow”. Maynard’s a gun, Ryan was better.

Brodie Grundy (No.12) heads this year’s “Have Faith” group — Joe Daniher (No.26) and Jeremy Cameron (No.28) are card-carrying members.

All three had indifferent seasons for all kinds of reasons last year and those reasons are long gone. No excuses, other than injury, for that trio in 2021.

Richmond couldn’t get a defender in the All-Australian back six, but I have three in the Top 50: Dylan Grimes, Nick Vlastuin and Short.

Noah Balta sat inside the initial list of 70, and could be among the game’s best defenders by the season’s end.

The pre-season top 50 is about projection, about those players set for stellar seasons.

It’s why Matt Rowell is at No.22.

He played only five games in his first season and going into this season, the question needs to be asked: Is it possible Rowell could win the Rising Star and the Brownlow Medal.

Matt Rowell has made Robbo’s top 50 list after just five games. Picture: AAP

Of the young players emerging Shai Bolton (No.39), Sam Walsh (No.47), Ridley (No.48), Bulldog Bailey Smith (No.49) and Kanga Jy Simpkin (No.50) round out the top 50.

St Kilda’s Rowan Marshall and Dion Prestia miss because of injury, and others stiff to miss include Byrne-Jones, Charlie Cameron, Rampe, Maynard, Steele Sidebottom, Andrew Brayshaw, Adam Cerra, ball-finder Adam Treloar and Geelong veterans Cam Guthrie, Mark Blicavs and Sam Menegola.

A notable absentee is Giant Josh Kelly. He has shown he can be a destructive mid, but not often enough.