SuperCoach: The leading point-of-difference defenders

Kick-outs are a rewarding scoring avenue for defenders in SuperCoach. And there’s several key distributors who are being left untouched - one who played on from five per game in 2019. Now that’s big points.

Options for our KFC SuperCoach defence are more scattered than ever before.

No SuperCoach defender has an ownership above 30 per cent besides returning Blue Sam Docherty – currently sitting in more than half of teams.

Even the highest ranked defender from 2019, Sydney rebounder Jake Lloyd, has question marks around his scoring after a disappointing finish to last season.

With very few clear options in defence, it opens the door for some point-of-difference picks – players in less than 10 per cent of teams – to enter calculations.

These hidden gems can see you soar up the rankings, leaving your mates in your wake.

But they can also have dangerous consequences if they fail to deliver, making it important to nail your ‘POD’ selection.

The leading unique candidates features a host of proven scorers and a potential breakout contender.

Shannon Hurn (West Coast) $562,200

2019 average: 103.5

Ownership: 7 per cent

Despite finishing last season as the third highest averaging defender, Shannon Hurn remains a SuperCoach POD. Like a fine wine Hurn just gets better with age, posting a then career-high average of 96.4 in 2018 and bettering that with a 103.5 average in 2019. The Eagles use the veteran’s penetrating right boot as a weapon out of defence, playing on from 95 kick-ins last season at an average of five per game. If they all go long to a contest, that’s 20 points in the bank. We forget Hurn was challenging Jake Lloyd last season as the number one defender until injury struck around the byes.

Verdict: He turns 33 this year, can he average above 100? Recent years suggest he can, but he comes at a significant cost.

Caleb Daniel (Western Bulldogs) $537,900

2019 average: 99.1

Ownership: 6 per cent

Marsh score: 92

The helmet-headed Bulldog burst onto the scene last season as a value forward, and now he is rightfully a defender in SuperCoach. Like Hurn, Daniel’s output receives a welcome boost from kick-ins, playing on from 85.2 per cent of them last season. He may not have the booming right boot of Hurn, but the 168cm defender is the Bulldogs’ main man out of defence. Daniel ranked fourth in his position for disposals per game and rated elite for intercepts, another lucrative scoring avenue. He also loves playing under the roof of Marvel Stadium – averaging 103 points there last season – where the Dogs play five of their first seven games.

Verdict: Favourably priced and should start the season with a bang. The leading POD option in defence.

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Hunter Clark (St Kilda) $402,200

2019 average: 74.1

Ownership: 4 per cent

Marsh score: 97

If Daniel is the No. 1 hidden gem in defence, St Kilda’s Hunter Clark isn’t far behind him. The former No. 7 pick finished the season with a flurry across halfback, posting four scores of 98 or above in a seven week stint from Round 15 onwards. His performance against Hawthorn in the opening Marsh Series match was even more exciting, finishing with 22 touches, 97 points and booting a goal. Clark has never been a fantastic kick, recording a below average kick rating in each of his first two seasons, but he has no trouble finding the footy. Could we see this Saint breakout in 2020?

Verdict: Provides plenty of value and could catapult into premium status in 2020.

Hunter Clark is a breakout contender in defence. Picture: Michael Klein

Luke Ryan (Fremantle) $520,400

2019 average: 95.8

Ownership: 2 per cent

Those who took the punt on Docker Luke Ryan were rewarded with a promising 95.8 average. This was on the back of his elite intercepting, averaging 8.6 intercept possessions and 2.4 intercept marks last season. He is also Fremantle’s trusted ball-user out of defence. These two facets saw Ryan post three 130-plus scores in the first half of 2019, but he also fell below 80 four times across the season. New coach Justin Longmuir was plucked from Collingwood who pride themselves on possession football, particularly out of defence. If he implements this ‘chip, mark’ style at the Dockers, Ryan’s SuperCoach stocks could go through the roof.

Verdict: Monitor how the Dockers play in their two Marsh games – there is plenty of potential here.

Brodie Smith (Adelaide) $481,300

2019 average: 88.6

Ownership: 2 per cent

Marsh scores: DNP

Brodie Smith enters the frame once again but this time he is a lot more expensive. Incumbent coach Matthew Nicks has flagged a midfield move for the line-breaking runner, who missed over the weekend due to State of Origin commitments. While the new role may take away some of the points he gains from kick-ins, a move up the ground to the wing will see Smith become a regular part of their attacking play. More goals and inside 50s could do wonders to his scoring output.

Verdict: Could be a massive play – unfortunately we’ll see him in just one Marsh Series game. A big score will make him an interesting POD.

Lachie Weller (Gold Coast) $481,100

2019 average: 88.6

Ownership: Less than 1 per cent

Marsh score: 75

Hugh Greenwood isn’t the only one set to spend a stack of time in the Suns midfield. Lachie Weller attended the second most centre-bounces in just 48 per cent game-time in their Marsh Series hitout, tallying 19 disposals and 75 points. The former Docker spent the majority of last year across halfback with stints in the midfield. With increased midfield minutes the 24-year-old looms as a tantalising point-of-difference selection and appears set to improve on hisgiven 2019 average of 88.6.

Verdict: Another promising display should put Weller right in the frame for a spot in your defence. A unique alternative to popular pick Dan Houston.

Lachie Weller is primed for an increased midfield role for Gold Coast.

Darcy Byrne-Jones (Port Adelaide) $473,400

2019 average: 87.2

Ownership: 1 per cent

Marsh score: 57

Darcy Byrne-Jones caught fire in the second half of the season, averaging 95.9 points per game from Round 8 – that’s including a stinker score of 7 in Round 22. During this period he showcased his high ceiling, eclipsing the 110-mark in six matches playing his lucrative role as the Power’s backline distributor. If he can replicate this output he could prove to be a bargain and Dan Houston’s move to the midfield will help his cause. However, his 21 possessions translated to just 57 points in their Marsh Series game.

Verdict: Monitor his role in Marsh. If he’s their main distributor, DBJ should be in much more than 1 per cent of teams.

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Alex Witherden (Brisbane) $392,800

2019 average: 72.3

Ownership: 2 per cent

Marsh score: 49

SuperCoaches were expecting Lions youngster Alex Witherden to go to the next level in his third AFL season. Instead, he went backwards. The 21-year-old averaged just 72.3 points, passing 100 points just once across his 2019 campaign.

However, if we take out his injury affected score of 4 his average pushes up to 75.5. With no Luke Hodge patrolling the backline will Witherden return to the heights of his 2017 season, where he averaged 87.1? Or will Hodge’s premiership teammate Grant Birchall fill the role of distributor in Brisbane’s back six? Witherden suffered a head clash in their Marsh hitout and was unsighted after the third quarter.

Verdict: Has plenty of SuperCoach potential if he is taking the kick-ins, but his price is quite awkward and there’s no guarantee he’ll play that SuperCoach friendly role.

Jack Watts (Port Adelaide) $307,900

2019 average: 81

Ownership: 2 per cent

One for the risk takers. Jack Watts was slated for a new role down back last season and registered an impressive 90 points in Round 1. The next week he was on track for another promising score until suffered a season-ending broken leg. He returned in defence in the Power’s recent intra-club clash and his pinpoint disposal certainly suits the role. It will remain to be seen whether Darcy Byrne-Jones remains the No. 1 distributor from defence. Was named as an emergency for their first Marsh game.

Verdict: Better options for less. Would be a massive risk.

Originally published as SuperCoach: The leading point-of-difference defenders