SuperCoach 2016: Best rookie defenders

FINDING the best cheap defenders is one of the toughest jobs in SuperCoach. Here are 10 players who could save your team this season.

NAB CUP: Carlton training, Aurora Stadium, Launceston: No.1 draft pick Jacob Weitering pushes in front of team mate Harry McKay Picture: Luke Bowden

FINDING the best rookie defenders is one of the toughest jobs in SuperCoach.

We seem to see fewer bargain basement players down back and their job security is less reliable. And when they do play, they usually score fewer points.

So who is on the radar this year? TAC Cup expert and self-confessed SuperCoach nerd Paige Cardona nominates her top 10:

Nathan Broad (Rich) $117,300

Broad stands at key-defender height but dominated the WAFL last season with his run and carry from defence. His intercept marking made him one of the league’s most damaging rebounding defenders. His first appearance in the NAB Challenge was encouraging but not outstanding — keep a close eye on him when Richmond’s top-shelf players return.

Mitch Brown (Ess) $117,300 def/fwd

Brown couldn’t cement his spot in three seasons with Geelong but is ready to do just that after a standout season in the VFL with Sandringham in 2015. The 25-year-old is ready to play a full season with a big frame, mature body and comes with valuable DPP to swing into the forward line. Averaged 100 SuperCoach points at VFL level last year, and at a bargain basement price he should be one of the first-picked rookie defenders at this stage.

Mitch Brown is set to fill a key defensive post at Essendon. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

Kieran Collins (WB) $117,300

Looking more like a third-year player than a rookie, Collins is a gorilla of a kid who could legitimately walk straight into the Bulldogs line-up given his size and strength. Collins plays more of a lockdown role but he won’t shirk an opportunity to take strong marks down back. He averaged a reasonable 74 points a game in the TAC Cup last year and scored 72 in his first NAB Challenge outing. Cheap and has value.

Sam Collins (Frem) $117,300

A standout in the VFL last year for the Box Hill Hawks, averaging 75 SuperCoach points per game, Collins looks like a ready-made replacement for the recently retired Luke McPharlin in Fremantle’s back six. Expectations took a hit when he stepped in against an undermanned Tigers outfit and managed just the two handballs in NAB 1. Talk about underwhelming ...

Aaron Francis (Ess) $198,300 def/mid

Comes to the club with big raps as a utility type, akin to Brendon Goddard. The athletic tall isn’t a true key-position player, but more of a third tall who gets things going quickly with sure hands and long kicking. Watch his pre-season closely — there are a lot of Bomber backline spots up for grabs and a number of contenders. With an average of 116 points during last years under-18 national championships, he’s stamped with quality.

Michael Hartley (Ess) $117,300

Off the back of a 98-point average in the VFL in 2015, it’s third time lucky for the 22-year-old who spent 2012 and 2013 on the Collingwood rookie list. Another top-up player with the scope to deliver you some consistent scoring. While spoiling is his main go he is also a take an intercept mark. His job security is high — pop him on your bench at the very least.

Matt Dea (Ess) $183,600

Richmond’s 2015 VFL best-and-fairest winner couldn’t get another contract with the Tigers, but has a second chance as a top-up player with the Bombers. The mid-size defender averaged 20 disposals at VFL level and took the second-most contested marks in the defensive 50. He can play as a lockdown backman or rebound off half-back — track his NAB Challenge role. Sits at an awkward price.

Matt Dea dives for the ball ahead of new teammate Aaron Francis. Picture: Hamish Blair

Riley Bonner (PA) $117,300

Slipped down the order on draft night but the SA local has been given the responsibility of kick-ins at Power training, has impressed with his run and carry, isn’t afraid to take an overhead grab. Bonner played in the midfield in the SANFL under-18s but as an attacking defender in the under-18 titles — a position he’s likely to get his start in the AFL. He had nine disposals and 42 SuperCoach points in NAB 1 and isn’t in the squad for Port’s second game. Alarm bells.

Jacob Weitering (Carl) $220,800

Is he worth the price? That’s what you’ll need to ask yourself if you want to take a punt on last year’s No. 1 pick, who averaged 89 SuperCoach points in the TAC Cup. Weitering can do it all; he’s an elite kick of the footy, with an ability to float into space, take marks and get up the ground where he can be dangerous on the wings. He could be a year-long player for the Blues, we’ll have a better idea after he makes his first NAB Challenge appearance this weekend.

Darcy Tucker (Frem) $117,300

A legitimate gun through his entire junior footy career, the No. 27 pick in last year’s draft made a promising start with 72 SuperCoach points in the Dockers’ NAB Challenge win against Richmond. Tucker is fleet-footed, aggressive, uncompromising and has a stunning left peg that rarely gets wasted, reflected in his 106-point average in the TAC Cup. Although he played a lot of footy last year in the midfield for North Ballarat, he’ll start in the back half in the early days of his career. Ross Lyon doesn’t gift games to kids, but he’s at least worth an early look.

Fresh-faced Dockers recruit Darcy Tucker.

AND KEEP AN EYE ON ...

Mitch Brown (WC) $133,900

Mitch Brown of the West Coast variety returns to the Eagles line-up after injury ruined his 2015 season. Most of us started with his twin Nathan in our backlines last year, could this be a case of Groundhog Day? Gets the nod for job security, but don’t expect huge scores.

Eric Hipwood (BL) $162,300 def/fwd

Comes with big raps, but young key-position players take time. Hipwood averaged 134 SuperCoach points during last year’s national championships, so not only can he find the footy — he can use it. He only managed three kicks in his first NAB game, but he’s worth keeping an eye on. Could be one to jump out of the box.

Paige Cardona is the founder of the website SuperCoach Paige. She’s on Twitter @paigecardona