SuperCoach defence analysis, premiums, mid-pricers, cheapies, Harry Sheezel, Callum Mills, rookies, latest news, defender rankings, updates

Selecting a strong backline is pivotal to success in SuperCoach.

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There are rolled-gold premium stars and cheapies making noise this pre-season, while there are some mid-priced bargains to be found as well.

Foxfooty.com.au takes a look at which defenders you should consider for your SuperCoach side.

PREMIUMS

There’s plenty of rolled gold premiums to consider in defence this year. Some players have been reliable options for a number of years, while others will emerge throughout the season as their roles shift.

1. Harry Sheezel ($635,600 DEF)

It’s easy to forget just how young Sheezel is given his huge successes in just two years of AFL football. In his first year he averaged 99.5 SuperCoach points per game, increasing that number to 118 last season. He only dropped below 103 three times in 2024 and was a reliable captaincy option as well. The former Sandringham Dragon has played across half-back for most of his AFL career but spent more time in the midfield and forward of centre in the second half of last year. All signs point towards a similar role this campaign, but the factor which makes Sheezel so appealing as an option is just how crucial he is to North Melbourne. There’s no point having their star player sit in a forward pocket if they can’t get the ball there, so SuperCoach players can feel safe knowing he will always be involved. He likely won’t increase in price however, which means you could look to upgrade to him in the early stages of the season if you don’t want to pay top dollar first up.

2. Jack Sinclair ($592,200 DEF/MID)

This silky Saint looks poised to play across half-back again this year after the Saints targeted midfield depth over the off-season. Sinclair has proven to be a reliable asset for SuperCoach players, averaging 109.9, 106.7 and 113.7 points per game in the past three years. Sinclair and youngster Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera shared kick-in duties last year, which is always a positive for SuperCoach. Four out of his first five games last year were scores under 90 but after that he well and truly caught fire. Seems a safe bet.

3. Sam Flanders ($641,500 DEF/MID)

18 consecutive tons to begin last year catapulted Flanders into SuperCoach stardom. That consistency means his price is unlikely to drop throughout the year, but it’s a recent back injury that has seen him slide down these rankings. Flanders has been restricted on the training track in recent times, but still remains a chance to feature in Opening Round. The dilemma is, can SuperCoach players afford to pay up for a player who has had a limited pre-season? The best approach might be to look elsewhere and target Flanders as an upgrade option throughout the year.

4. Lachie Whitfield ($598,100 DEF)

A perennial burn man for fantasy coaches, Whitfield put together arguably the best season of his career in 2024. Averaging 111 SuperCoach points over 23 games, the star Giant became a genuine upgrade option. As far as roles go, Whitfield’s is one of the most suited to SuperCoach in the competition. The Giants regularly look to get the ball in his hands, he takes plenty of kick-ins and his work rate means he has no trouble finding the footy. The negative? He’s susceptible to a tag which means his boom scores (7 x 120+ in 2024) are balanced out with some poor ones (6 < 90). He’s historically missed games throughout the season due to injury as well, but managed to turn that around last campaign.

5. Luke Ryan ($628,300 DEF)

Ryan has become a bonafide SuperCoach premium in SuperCoach defences. His ceiling is particularly appealing, putting together ten scores in excess of 120 last year, including a whopping 197 against Richmond. He has monopoly on the kick-ins at Fremantle, takes plenty of intercept marks and is regularly involved in possession chains, which is great for SuperCoach scoring. The price point here is the main negative, it’s likely that coaches will be able to pick Ryan up for less than $600,000 at some point during the season.

Elsewhere, Geelong midfielder Max Holmes looks highly likely to break the 100 average barrier for the first time in his career, while new Collingwood recruit Dan Houston is another who SuperCoach players are taking a liking to.

MID-PRICERS

Hunting value is always worthwhile and there’s a few names that are piquing the interest for SuperCoach players in defence.

1. Callum Mills ($357,200 DEF)

2024 was a year to forget for the Swans skipper, having missed a large chunk of the season due to injury after an off-season wrestling incident with a teammate. Mills managed just six matches last year and struggled to impact in a red-hot Sydney side that fell short at the final hurdle. However, the footy world knows what Mills is capable of and he’s doing everything in his power to get back to his best footy. Back in 2022 when playing as a midfielder, Mills averaged 116.6 SuperCoach points per game. He’s been tearing up the track in match simulation, performed strongly in the running time trials and has been training with the midfield group over summer. Could be the biggest bargain of the year.

2. Keidean Coleman ($269,100 DEF)

Coleman looked poised to breakout in 2024 after a superb finals series in 2023, but his season was derailed just as it began, suffering an ACL injury during Opening Round. A silky operator out of defence, Coleman will be critical for the Lions on their quest for back-to-back flags. His ball use and ability to break the Lions will only add to Brisbane’s already stacked defensive unit, but he has had a couple of setbacks in his recovery. Word on the street is he’s still pressing his case for Opening Round, which means SuperCoach players will get to see how he fares before locking him in for round one. The price point is awkward, so have pivot options in place if you do select him.

3. Matt Roberts ($434,800 DEF)

Owned by less than 5% of SuperCoach players at the time of writing, Roberts could be tremendous value in 2025. In his last six matches of the home and away season, Roberts averaged 113.6 SuperCoach points per game as Sydney’s main distributor out of the back half. Roberts has been training in defence again this pre-season and veteran Jake Lloyd has been on a wing, which means alongside Nick Blakey, Roberts will thrive in the back half. The pick has plenty of risk given Roberts isn’t necessarily an absolute lock in the best 22, but there’s heaps of upside.

Outside of the above trio, Colby McKercher is turning heads on the track this pre-season. The second year Roo looks likely to spend more time with the midfield this year after a promising debut campaign. Richmond veteran Jayden Short is also an option to consider, while Josh Sinn is seen as the frontrunner to take over Dan Houston’s role at half-back for the Power.

CHEAPIES

SuperCoach players will get a more accurate view of things over the course of February’s pre-season practice matches, but there’s plenty to like about this year’s crop of defender cheapies.

1. Bo Allan ($136,000 DEF/MID)

West Coast’s prized draftee has had a strong summer, impressing with his quality ball use, power and ability to break lines. Can play a variety of roles but is perhaps most suited to one off half-back to begin his AFL career, although he could also spend some time on the wing given his endurance base, or through the midfield. Has strong job security and scoring potential, plus handy dual-position status.

2. Tobie Travaglia ($172,000 DEF/MID)

Another with dual-position flexibility, Travaglia has had a superb summer. Travaglia averaged 143 SuperCoach points in the Coates Talent League with the Bendigo Pioneers last year and has landed on his feet in his first pre-season at St Kilda. Will likely spend time across half-back to begin with, where he can utilise his elite endurance and line-breaking ability to create scoring chains out of the back half. Lock.

3. James Leake ($119,900 DEF)

Has captured the attention of Giants and SuperCoach coaches alike this pre-season with a strong summer. Leake could take over Harry Perryman or James Peatling’s roles this year given his versatility. Averaged 27 touches and 113 SuperCoach points through a six-match period in the VFL after overcoming injury. Track closely over pre-season practice matches and consider strongly.

4. Zach Reid ($119,900 DEF)

Footy fans are just crying out for this youngster to get a decent crack at playing some footy. Reid has had an injury-riddled start to his AFL career, playing just nine senior matches so far. The Dons rate the former top ten draft pick highly internally and he is widely viewed as the long-term partner for Ben McKay. It seems as though he’s giving himself every chance of firing in 2025.

5. Kaleb Smith ($121,200 DEF)

After Daniel Rioli’s departure to the Gold Coast, there’s a half-back role up for grabs at the Tigers and Smith might be the one leading the pack. A line-breaking defender who is strong by foot and loves to take the game on, Smith averaged 29 disposals and 84 SuperCoach points throughout last year’s VFL season. Another one to watch closely throughout the practice matches.

6. Saad El-Hawli ($119,900 DEF/MID)

Currently in almost 60% of SuperCoach sides, El-Hawli is a mature-aged mid-season draft recruit who is pushing hard for an early season debut. Possessing a great kick and line-breaking ability, El-Hawli can play across half-back or on a wing, but the big question mark is if he’s actually there round one.

Mature-aged Swan Riley Bice has had a decent summer and will be on the fringes for selection under new coach Dean Cox, as will ex-Saint Ben Paton, who has impressed teammates over the pre-season. Young Bulldog Jedd Busslinger is a chance to fill the void created by Liam Jones’ hamstring injury, although his role might not be all that conducive to SuperCoach scoring. Tiger Josh Gibcus is on the comeback trail from an ACL injury and could be a downgrade option when he makes his way back into the senior side.

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