2020 AFL Dream Team: Who is the AFL’s best second tall defender?
The key to any good AFL side is having a gun second tall defender who can take the tall opposition forwards and use their height to also take intercept marks. Who’s the AFL’s best? HAVE YOUR SAY
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No AFL premiership side in history has won without the vital presence of a second tall in defence.
They come in different forms, from those that rely on shutdown defence to others who include the art of interception.
Over the next 18 days in the countdown to the AFL season opener between Carlton and Richmond on March 19 at the MCG, the Herald Sun will nominate 18 players by position as the best of the best in the competition, with our best team to be matched up against yours on March 18.
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SECOND TALL DEFENDER
DYLAN GRIMES (Richmond)
The budding vigneron is a 193cm man of many talents, capable of playing on the monster forwards in the absence of Alex Rance, or adeptly matching up on a 180cm livewire named Charlie Cameron. Third in his club’s best and fairest in a premiership year and deserved All-Australian selection capped his 2019 season.
SuperCoach price: $399,500, 2019 SC average: 74
Champion Data says: Since 2017, Grimes has won 39% of his defensive one-on-one contests – ranked fourth of the top-50 players to have defended a contest. He also rated above average for intercept possessions last season.
TOM BARRASS (West Coast)
His prolonged absence through injury last year was a prime reason in West Coast’s September capitulation. At 197cm the Scarborough product helps form arguably the game’s best defensive intercepting duo with Jeremy McGovern. Another string to his bow is an ability to regularly hit targets by foot.
SuperCoach price: $424,500, 2019 SC average: 73
Champion Data says: Barrass recorded a defensive rating of +61% last season, ranking him number one of all key defenders. He also rated above average for intercept marks.
HARRY TAYLOR (Geelong)
Age shall not weary the rising 34-year-old who just seems to keep rolling along in his nonchalant style. Taylor’s 2019 form presented him with the option of playing on, one he accepted in the hunt for a farewell flag. Like the others on this list, he is a master of reading the game and winning intercept possessions.
SuperCoach price: $384,300, 2019 SC average 69
Champion Data says: In 2019 Taylor averaged his most intercept possessions since 2013. He also rated above average for disposals and contested possessions.
TOM JONAS (Port Adelaide)
Plays remarkably tall given he stands just 188cm which is lot shorter than most playing his role, but he remains an extremely effective defensive presence. The 2020 Port captain plays football with an obvious maturity and game sense. Expect 2020 to be the year he finally wins All-Australian selection after twice being a nominee.
SuperCoach price: $417,500, 2019 Average: 77
Champion Data says: Jonas lost just 17 per cent of his defensive one-on-one contests last season, ranking him fourth of the top 50 players to have defended a contest.
JAKE LEVER (Melbourne)
Don’t underestimate the absence of Lever and Steven May for large chunks of 2019 when explaining Melbourne’s dreadful season. When fit that pairing is the foundation for a quick leap back up the ladder. Lever is now right to go after an ACL in 2018 and appeals as a SuperCoach special given his intercepting skills.
SuperCoach price: $384,200, 2019 Average: 71
Champion Data says: Lever returned from an ACL injury in Rd 12 last season, finishing the season rated elite for marks, intercept marks and above average for intercept possessions.
MORE NEWS:
Herald Sun 2020 Dream Team: Who is the AFL’s best tall defender?
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Originally published as 2020 AFL Dream Team: Who is the AFL’s best second tall defender?
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