AFL Supercoach 2024: Defender bargains, prices and selection guide

Kieran Francis

AFL Supercoach 2024: Defender bargains, prices and selection guide image

Tried and trusted options look to be the go with defenders in AFL Supercoach 2024.

Four of the top five defenders were in that position in both 2022 and 2023 - showing consistency and reliability.

The Sporting News helps you with your defensive options for AFL Supercoach 2024.

SEE: ALL SUPERCOACH 2024 CONTENT FROM THE SPORTING NEWS

Top 20 Premium Defender Prices

Name Club 2023 Avg. Price
Nick Daicos (MID) Collingwood 116.3 $650,000
James Sicily Hawthorn 114.0 $637,400
Tom Stewart Geelong 113.7 $635,300
Luke Ryan Fremantle 109.5 $611,800
Jack Sinclair St Kilda 106.7 $596,300
Dan Houston Port Adelaide 106.1 $593,100
Nic Newman Carlton 100.2 $559,900
Harry Sheezel North Melbourne 99.5 $555,200
Jayden Short Richmond 98.6 $551,200
Jake Lloyd Sydney 95.8 $535,300
Jordan Ridley Essendon 94.9 $530,300
Callum Wilkie St Kilda 94.2 $526,600
Hayden Young Fremantle 94.0 $525,100
Lachie Whitfield GWS 92.9 $519,000
Nick Vlastuin Richmond 92.1 $514,700
Will Powell Gold Coast 91.9 $513,500
Mason Redman Essendon 90.9 $507,800
Bailey Dale Western Bulldogs 90.8 $507,600
Darcy Moore Collingwood 90.5 $505,900
Mitch Duncan Geelong 90.3 $504,700

Four of the top five defenders were in that range across both the 2022 and 2023 seasons - Nick Daicos, James Sicily, Tom Stewart and Jack Sinclair.

Collingwood star Daicos is a lock despite his price, with his high-scoring ceiling something that Supercoaches cannot afford to miss. The midfield eligibility is handy too.

Sicily, Tom Stewart and Luke Ryan all look to be reliable options with their intercepting and rebound abilities.

Sinclair is expected to spend more time in St Kilda's midfield with the addition of Riley Bonner. This could be a double advantage with a possible mid-season position addition and the extra scoring from being in the guts.

Hayden Young is expected to also play through Fremantle's midfield, with a rise in his Supercoach average looming in 2024.

Jack Sinclair - St Kilda
Getty Images

Cheaper Premium Defender Options

Name Club 2023 Avg. Price
Adam Saad Carlton 89.6 $500,700
Liam Duggan West Coast 90.1 $503,500
Nick Blakey Sydney 89.4 $499,600
Daniel Rioli Richmond 86.9 $485,700
Andrew McGrath Essendon 86.9 $485,500
Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera St Kilda 85.1 $475,800
Elliot Yeo West Coast 80.0 $447,100

Of the cheaper premium options, St Kilda's Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera is ready to break out after an impressive 2023 season. The Saints will look to get him the ball at will.

Sydney flyer Nick Blakey is an intriguing proposition with his run and carry a highlight. Can he add intercept marking to his game?

Elliot Yeo has had three 100-plus average Supercoach seasons previously, but it's a case of whether his body can be trusted.

Rookie Defender Options

Check out our guide to AFL Supercoach rookies in 2024: AFL Supercoach 2024: Rookies, cash cows and cheapies to keep an eye on

AFL Supercoach 2024 content from The Sporting News

Kieran Francis

Kieran Francis Photo

Kieran Francis is a senior editor at The Sporting News based in Melbourne, Australia. He started at Sportal.com.au before being a part of the transition to Sporting News in 2015. Just prior to the 2018 World Cup, he was appointed chief editor of Goal.com in Australia. He has now returned to The Sporting News where his passions lay in football, AFL, poker and cricket - when he is not on holiday.