KFC SuperCoach 2021: Best point-of-difference selections in defence

Unearthing a huge bargain that no one else picks is one of the joys of KFC SuperCoach. Here are 10 top defenders flying under the radar.

The defensive line is stacked with quality options and a bunch are flying under the radar.

Outside of dependable KFC SuperCoach defender Jake Lloyd (49 per cent ownership), Crows ball magnet Rory Laird (41 per cent) and new Blue Zac Williams (40 per cent), there are only four non-rookie defenders with above 10 per cent ownership.

One of those is Greater Western Sydney star Lachie Whitfield (29 per cent), who is in a race against time to play in Round 1 after sustaining a bruised liver.

The high ownership of the top-three premiums means there is scope to look for a point-of-difference (POD) selection in defence without taking an unnecessary risk.

PODs are generally considered to be players with under 10 per cent ownership in KFC SuperCoach.

Unique success stories in defence last year included Kangaroos rebounder Luke McDonald and interceptors Luke Ryan and Jordan Ridley, and coaches remain hesitant to pick the trio in 2021.

Check out the best POD defenders that can set your team apart.

Luke Ryan (Frem) $576,300 DEF

2020 average: 107.3 (17 matches)

Ownership: 9.8 per cent

Ryan went to another level in 2020, increasing his average by 11.5 points per game from 2019 and finishing as the second-highest scoring defender behind Lloyd.

This was thanks to his ultra-SuperCoach friendly role, taking the kick-ins for the Dockers and playing as their primary interceptor. Sporting a kick-to-handball of 3.88, Ryan also averaged 7.8 intercept possessions and 2.2 intercept marks.

While the weighting of his intercept work may be reduced in 20-minute quarters, due to more scoring acts being considered in the overall 3300 SuperCoach points per game than in 16-minute quarters last year, he should continue in the same lucrative role that saw him thrive last season.

Verdict: His high ceiling makes him an interesting proposition, posting five 120-plus totals including 162 and 142 back-to-back.

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Luke Ryan has become a star for Fremantle.

Jordan Ridley enjoyed a breakout season in 2020.

Jordan Ridley (Ess) $547,700 DEF

2020 average: 101.9 (17 matches)

Ownership: 7.2 per cent

The big mover in defence last season, Ridley transformed from a speculative mid-pricer to a reliable premium in a matter of weeks.

Ridley did not fall below 88 KFC SuperCoach points in his first 10 matches of 2020, averaging 107.9 before slowing down in the back half of the season.

His pinpoint kicking and intercept marking made him a KFC SuperCoach staple at his discount price, going at an elite 85.3 per cent by foot and cutting off opposition attacks with 2.8 intercept marks per game.

The Dons interceptor comes at a higher cost this time around but at 22, is there improvement left in him?

Verdict: Off a very encouraging breakout season, he must be considered.

Caleb Daniel (WB) $545,500 DEF

2020 average: 101.5 (17 matches)

Ownership: 7.6 per cent

Daniel finished the 2020 season like a house on fire.

Including his stunning elimination final display that nearly lifted the Bulldogs over the line against St Kilda, the diminutive defender amassed scores of 110, 118, 120, 92 and 154 at an average of 118.8 across his last five matches.

Despite this, he is sitting in less than 7 per cent of teams.

In all, Daniel managed a season average of 101.5 despite playing just one match at Marvel Stadium, where he averaged 103 points in 2019.

The Bulldogs play six of their first 11 games under the roof, which makes Daniel even more tempting as a starting POD.

Verdict: Flying under the radar – the usual. In his third season as a defender, he might just cement himself as a top-six scorer in his position.

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Bulldog Caleb Daniel at pre-season training.

Alex Witherden (WC) $456,100 DEF

2020 average: 94.3 (6 matches)

Ownership: 8.5 per cent

Out of favour at the Lions after managing just six matches last season, Witherden crossed to the Eagles during the trade period.

It is a move that set KFC SuperCoaches’ tongues wagging considering West Coast’s high-possession game style and some promising signs from the defensive distributor in 2020.

Witherden started the season poorly in Round 1 with a score of 41, but his return game eight rounds later epitomised his immense potential, posting 170 points from 25 disposals, hitting the target with 16 of his 20 kicks.

He scored another two tons in his next four matches until he was dropped again, unsighted for the remainder of 2020.

Verdict: He had all the makings of a KFC SuperCoach star after his massive debut season. At the “chip, mark” Eagles, he will be another to watch closely in the pre-season.

Luke McDonald (NM) $512,900 DEF

2020 average: 95.5 (17 matches)

Ownership: 6.5 per cent

I got McDonald horribly wrong in 2021.

Coming off consecutive scores above 120 in a new role across half-back, I struggled to see how he could maintain the rage and told coaches not to jump on what turned out to be a runaway train.

As a running defender, McDonald averaged a whopping 118.4 points, 24.9 disposals and 7.2 rebound-50s from his last 10 matches, highlighted by six scores above 120.

He is priced at an average of 95.5 after playing as a tagger earlier in the season, making him extremely affordable ahead of season 2021.

Verdict: If he continues in this rebounding role, where he had a monopoly on North Melbourne’s kick-ins, he could prove to be a steal.

Luke McDonald transformed his game in 2020.

Liam Duggan (WC) $448,600 DEF

2020 average: 83.5 (16 matches)

Ownership: 3.4 per cent

As part of my KFC SuperCoach Draft side in the back half of last year, I watched Duggan like a hawk and was impressed with his returns. The Eagles rebounder averaged 96 points in his last eight matches of 2020.

Word from the west is he has come back from the off-season in ripping nick and may even play as an inside midfielder.

At 24, Duggan looks primed for a breakout campaign.

Verdict: Prefer him over Witherden at this stage. A D3-4 candidate with plenty of upside.

Callum Mills (Syd) $544,800 DEF

2020 average: 101.4 (15 matches)

Ownership: 3 per cent

We’ve been down this road before, but early indications suggest that 2021 will be the year the former No.3 draft pick joins the Swans’ centre-square brigade.

Last year Mills spent 15 per cent of his time as a midfielder compared to 83 per cent in defence – the most midfield time he has received in a season across his career.

He also finished with the highest KFC SuperCoach average of his career, helped by a monster 173-point effort in the infamously dull Sydney-Richmond match.

Averaging 100-plus while stationed in defence last year, could Mills push beyond a 105-average as a midfielder?

Verdict: We have been fooled before, so keep a close watch on him during the AAMI Community Series.

The midfield is up there, Horse. Let me in!

Tom Doedee (Adel) $457,900 DEF

2020 average: 85.2 (9 games)

Ownership: 1.1 per cent

Doedee’s return season after a knee reconstruction had everything – big scores, stinkers and injuries.

But ignoring his injury-affected score of 31 in Round 8, when he was wiped out by halftime, Doedee’s numbers are impressive.

Across these eight matches, the intercept defender posted an impressive five KFC SuperCoach tons and six scores of 89 at an average of 92 points per game.

This included two sub-50 totals in his first three matches of 2020, which you can forgive coming off his significant injury.

Doedee also suffered a hamstring blow in the final quarter of what turned out being the final game of his 2020 campaign, a 102-point effort in Round 11, where he was on track for an even bigger score.

Doedee should be kept busy again this season in defence and he looms as a left-field choice with upside.

Verdict: His injury history is a concern, but he is definitely underpriced.

Jack Lukosius (GC) $430,800 DEF

2020 average: 80.2

Ownership: 3 per cent

Taken as a key forward with the second overall pick in the 2018 draft, Lukosius settled across half-back last year and entered KFC SuperCoach conversations.

His back-to-back scores of 132 and 135 late in the year saw coaches flock to the talented youngster, but the Suns’ poor finish to the year saw him finish with three sub-60 scores.

These paltry totals could be a blessing in disguise for coaches ahead of 2021, leaving Lukosius at an affordable $430,800 – not a bad price for a player who averaged 93.9 points across a 10-game stretch in 2020.

Verdict: There are better options around his price but could come into calculations – especially if he continues taking the kick-ins.

James Harmes could be returning to the Melbourne midfield. Picture: Michael Klein

James Harmes (Melb) $344,700 DEF

2020 average: 64.2 (13 matches)

Ownership: 2 per cent

A return to the midfield beckons for Harmes after a season in which he was trialled unsuccessfully as a running defender.

His new role and injury setbacks resulted in a significant 31-point reduction to his KFC SuperCoach season average.

However, it’s his average of 95 in 2019 – when he spent the bulk of his time as an inside midfielder - that is most fascinating.

Coaches would be thrilled with that kind of return at his discount price tag.

Verdict: Watch that ownership shoot skyward if he returns to the guts during the pre-season.

Originally published as KFC SuperCoach 2021: Best point-of-difference selections in defence