A defender in AFL football has a much wider range than one in Elite Kick bands. A SuperCoach defender needs to get 20 possessions a game. For this reason, they almost always fulfil the same roles, and look the same. ‘Quarter-backing’ defenders are a must. Shorter, faster guys with good skills. Taking the kick-in is a distinct disadvantage. Often, the #2 kick in the team is better than #1. Cheap disposals in the back pocket are invaluable.
Rangy, half-back flanker types are the other type. A run that provides an immediate kick inside 50 is the only benefit from running. No other points are gained. The exception is carrying over the D50 (but their kick would most likely do the same anyway). So, the guy shouldn’t run to excess. Particularly disappointing is when a player busts their gut, runs 50m and then clangers the kick. It’s about compromise. Is able to get away with a few less possession than a quarter-back type and score the same.
The 3rd useful version of a defender is one who doesn’t play in the backline at all. These players can be a boon to the SuperCoach team. Midfielders are usually the best.
No other types of defenders are generally useful. There will be a big man or two with silky foot and marking skills. They still need to work harder than the above types for their points. In the course of a season, they have to be better AFL players just to have the same output in SuperCoach scores. Unfair, but that’s the formula.
