AFL Supercoach 2022: Defender prices and selection guide

Kieran Francis

AFL Supercoach 2022: Defender prices and selection guide image

The backbone of your AFL Supercoach 2022 team is your defence, with plenty of quality options to pick from.

Will you go with safe options like Jake Lloyd or Jack Crisp? Or will you take a punt on the returning James Sicily or the versatile Zach Tuohy?

Sporting News looks at the prices of the AFL defenders and analyses the questions you want answered.

Top 20 Premium Defender Prices

Name Club 2021 Avg. Price
Jake Lloyd Sydney 107.8 $586,600
Jack Ziebell North Melbourne 107.6 $585,800
Tom Stewart Geelong 107.6 $585,700
Daniel Rich Brisbane 107.0 $582,700
Aaron Hall North Melbourne 105.3 $572,900
Jack Crisp Collingwood 104.9 $571,000
Jordan Dawson Adelaide 101.1 $550,300
Dyson Heppell Essendon 99.4 $541,000
Luke Ryan Fremantle 99.3 $540,300
Jordan Ridley Essendon 98.7 $537,100
Jayden Short Richmond 98.3 $535,200
Sam Docherty Carlton 97.9 $533,000
Bailey Dale Western Bulldogs 95.2 $518,300
Harris Andrews Brisbane 95.1 $517,900
Christian Salem Melbourne 94.5 $514,500
Jacob Weitering Carlton 94.1 $512,200
Caleb Daniel Western Bulldogs 93.9 $510,900
Nick Hind Essendon 93.0 $506.200
Isaac Cumming GWS 92.9 $505,700
Lachie Whitfield GWS 92.3 $502,600

If there was ever a set-and-forget defensive option, Sydney's Jake Lloyd would be the prime candidate. The back pocket has averaged over 107 the last four seasons and is at a decent price this season, despite his no.1 defensive ranking.

North Melbourne's Jack Ziebell and Geelong stopper Tom Stewart were both prime options when on the field last season but there is question marks over whether they should be picked in 2022. Will Ziebell continue to play the Supercoach friendly role he had in 2021? Can Stewart recover from his season-ending injury to have the same impact?

Collingwood utility Jack Crisp looks like he could step up into the midfield, meaning his ability to score points and his average could rise in 2022. One to keep an eye on through pre-season with his dual-position status.

GWS star Lachie Whitfield is a hugely popular pick at $502,600, but it's worth noting he only averaged 92.3 last season, but did have an injury interrupted pre-season with a liver injury.

Essendon's Jordan Ridley could benefit from the arrival of ex-Adelaide defender Jake Kelly to The Hangar.

MORE: Price and selection guides: Midfielders | Rucks | Forwards

Cheaper Premium Defender Options

Name Club 2021 Avg. Price
Brayden Maynard Collingwood 92.3 $502,500
Zach Tuohy Geelong 87.8 $478,100
Dan Houston Port Adelaide 86.0 $467,900
James Sicily Hawthorn DNP $448,100
Jack Lukosius Gold Coast 80.5 $438,500
Jeremy Howe Collingwood 78.5 $427,300

Returning Hawthorn defender James Sicily is the most popular pick in this price range, but will he return to his best in a Supercoach-friendly role?

Geelong's Zach Tuohy has handy dual-player position, but is he going to play through the midfield?

Jeremy Howe has shown Supercoach premium quality form at times through his career, but can he stay fit and be a consistent scorer for the Magpies?

Rookie Defender Options

Take a look at our full rookie and cash cow guide here.

MORE: Price and selection guides: Midfielders | Rucks | Forwards

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.