Stats Insider's AFL Player Ratings: Top 10 Defenders

In the AFL, the midfielders get all the accolades and most of the awards. Meanwhile the forwards get all the love for keeping the scoreboard ticking, usually mobbed by teammates for finishing off other people's work. 

The defenders? Well, the defenders function as the AFL's faceless heroes, holding the fort, as well as the key, to your club’s chances on a weekly basis.

Thanks to Stats Insider’s Player Ratings we now how a much better way of evaluating the impact of defenders have on the modern game, as well as assessing just where they stand within the context of their fellow, more celebrated peers.

Let’s take a look at our top ten defenders in AFL.

1. Tom Stewart - Geelong

KEY STAT- Geelong’s ‘Rock of Gibraltar’ is the active AFL leader in rebound 50s per game, averaging 5.6 per match, while doing so an elite 79.3% disposal rate. 

2. Jake Lloyd - Sydney

KEY STAT- In their careers, only Dustin Martin and Andrew Gaff have averaged at least 400 metres gained per match as well as at least 24 disposals. Sydney’s Jake Lloyd completes the trifecta.

3. Bachar Houli - Richmond

KEY STAT- Former Bomber, but now two-time premiership Tiger, Bachar Houli is one of just four active players with at least 4,000 career disposals along with a disposal efficiency of at least 78%. The others are Shannon Hurn, Grant Birchall and Harry Taylor.

4. James Sicily - Hawthorn 

KEY STAT- In 2020, James Sicily was ranked 3rd in the league for total intercepts, 6th for total rebound 50’s and ninth for total marks. It won’t be long until this Hawk is regarded as the game’s premier defender. 

5. Rory Laird - Adelaide

KEY STAT- Only Andrew Gaff and Jack Macrae have generated more than Rory Laird's 17.5 uncontested possessions per game throughout their career. While the Crows have unquestionably struggled over the last couple of seasons, Laird has remained elite.

6. Shannon Hurn - West Coast

KEY STAT- There is only one player in our sport to have amassed at least 1000 rebound 50’s and 550 inside 50’s across their career. That man is Shannon Hurn. 

7. Jack Crisp - Collingwood

KEY STAT- Of the 36 active defenders averaging at least 340 metres gained per match, Collingwood’s Swiss army knife, Jack Crisp, easily leads the way with 18.9 pressure acts per match. 

8. Harris Andrews - Brisbane 

KEY STAT- There’s only one player in the league presently averaging more than 8 spoils and 1 contested mark per game. That would be reigning All-Australian full back, Harris Andrews.

9. Daniel Rich - Brisbane 

KEY STAT- Second in total meters gained and fourth in rebound 50’s in 2019, Rich was one of the biggest reasons for the Lion’s massive leap last season. Rich averaged a massive 23.35 metres gained per disposal last year speaking to just how crucial his penetration is for Brisbane. 

10. Nick Haynes - GWS GIANTS

KEY STAT- Third in total marks last season, 8th in intercept possessions. He's not the first name that jumps out when considering the Giant's rise in recent season, but he's absolutely one of their most important.

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