AFL coaches wish to say that premierships are constructed on defence, and the identical idea applies in KFC SuperCoach.
Your eight-man defence is the spine of your staff and choosing the right gamers right here can set you up for a 12 months of success.
Unlike different positions, scoring is usually much less unstable in defence, so high-priced defenders not often come down rather a lot in worth – if you’d like a celebrity in your staff, greatest to seize them from the beginning.
So what sort of gamers do you have to be on the lookout for? Key defenders usually don’t rating extremely (factors are awarded for spoils however you would wish quite a lot of them!) – the exception is gamers who take intercept marks, which is likely one of the most rewarded stats within the KFC SuperCoach scoring formulation.
Most KFC SuperCoach defences are made up of attacking half-backs who win loads of the footy and, crucially, use it effectively.
Another issue that may present an enormous scoring enhance is that if a participant takes behind kick-ins – taking part in on by working exterior the goalsquare is a simple method for a participant so as to add a protracted kick to their tally (KFC SuperCoach ambassador Heath Shaw was a grasp at this).
Here are 5 top-end defenders to think about in 2023.
JAMES SICILY $624,700
The fantastic thing about Sicily as a KFC SuperCoach participant is that he has quite a lot of other ways of scoring factors, which makes him virtually unattainable to close down. He takes some kick-ins, however Blake Hardwick takes extra. He takes intercept marks, but additionally scores by means of his precision disposal. Rebounding from a knee damage Sicily averaged 113.5 factors a sport final 12 months, ranked second in defence, and there’s no cause to assume that may go down in 2023.
Al’s verdict: Hawthorn is in full-blown rebuild mode so anticipate the ball to spend extra time within the Hawks’ backline this 12 months, which might solely be good for Sicily’s scores.
TOM STEWART $604,000
Stewart is the Cats’ backline basic, with a lot of the footy directed by means of the 29-year-old. He has averaged over 100 factors a sport in KFC SuperCoach three years in a row, making him a secure alternative, and final season he added a brand new component to his sport – 40 disposal video games, which he amazingly achieved twice, posting monster KFC SuperCoach scores every time (187 and 174).
Verdict: Stewart is doubtlessly barely underpriced after he was subbed out of a sport at quarter-time final 12 months with concussion. He was tagged late within the season by St Kilda’s Mitch Owens however his tremendous excessive scores cancel out the occasional low one.
SAM DOCHERTY $603,600
The Carlton star was one of many feel-good tales of 2022 getting back from a battle with most cancers, making his achievements much more outstanding. Docherty had the third-most kicks within the competitors and the fourth-most KFC SuperCoach factors in defence, averaging 109.6 per sport. That was his third season over 100 and fifth over 90.
Al’s verdict: There is speak he may play within the midfield early within the season whereas Sam Walsh is out injured, so he may get off to a flying begin. Very excessive on my radar.
NICK DAICOS $502,500
The Magpies son of a gun exploded on the scene in 2022, profitable the Rising Star Award and turning into an on the spot KFC SuperCoach favorite. He began the 12 months with glorious scores for a first-year participant and ended the 12 months like a seasoned veteran, averaging over 100 after Collingwood’s bye – when most rookies are working out of puff. Only an elite few have turn out to be real KFC SuperCoach top-liners of their second season (Clayton Oliver, Walsh and Marcus Bontempelli, to call three), however Daicos is sweet sufficient to affix that membership. Need any extra proof he is aware of methods to rating in KFC SuperCoach? He took 52 kick-ins and 2022 and performed on from each considered one of them.
Al’s verdict: Daicos is anticipated to play extra by means of the midfield this 12 months however I hope he nonetheless spends time in defence the place the Pies love to make use of his elite kicking. Either method, I’m on board.
JACK SINCLAIR $626,200
It’s most likely a bit unfair to have Sinclair final on this listing after he scored extra factors than every other defender in KFC SuperCoach in 2022. But he’s additionally the costliest. Sinclair had an unbelievable season, amassing 4 extra kicks that Docherty over 22 video games and likewise ranking excessive for intercepts and disposal effectivity. But while you’re spending that sort of money you wish to be 100 per cent certain you’ll get your cash’s price and Sinclair doesn’t have the runs on the board that the likes of Stewart and Sicily do.
Al’s verdict: Could very effectively be the top-scoring defender once more however final 12 months was such an enormous bounce (his KFC SuperCoach common catapulted from 86 to 114) I’m prepared to attend and see, at the very least till we all know how Ross Lyon desires to make use of him.
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Originally revealed as KFC SuperCoach 2023: Five star defenders to think about in your staff
Source: www.news.com.au
