2021 Fantasy: Top 10 Defenders

The 2021 H&A season is set to begin on March 18, @aflratingsPete ranks the Top 10 Defenders in AFL Fantasy classic. 

1.Jake Lloyd (Sydney) $873K

Lloyd is the main distributor out of defence for the Swans, he was the No.1 ranked fantasy defender for disposals in 2020. Lloyd missed the AAMI Community Series game against GWS with a knee injury, he his expected to be available for Round 1. Lloyd is a required piece of the puzzle at some stage during the 2021 H&A season, it’s just a matter of spending now or generating the cash throughout the season to make the upgrade. 

Season Projection: 115

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2. Rory Laird (Adelaide) $763K

Laird moved into the midfield last season & his numbers were big, his role this season will once again begin in the midfield with an expected high usage at centre bounces. Laird has the ability to find open space on the outside which should keep the scores ticking over at a high rate, based on his Round 1 salary he is value to begin the season & has genuine upside potential. 

Season Projection: 110

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3. Lachie Whitfield (GWS Giants) $820K

Whitfield will miss the start of the 2021 season due to a bruised liver, he was required to rest as part of his rehabilitation which likely means he has lost a fair amount of fitness. Once Whitfield is ready to return his numbers should be once again high in what should be a floating half-back/wing type role. Tracking the current health status for Whitfield for a return date is necessary, plan to set aside some coin to upgrade to him at some stage this season. 

Season Projection: 110

4. Zac Williams (Carlton) $626K

Williams made the move to Carlton in the off-season, he is expected to see high usage through a midfield role at his new club, for most of his career he was used as a half-back at the Giants & while that is a potential secondary role at Carlton the coaching staff have liked his impact moving forward throughout this pre-season. Williams is suspended for Round 1, there will be little to no ownership & a move across to him at Round 2 would be a unique move.

Season Projection: 100

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5. Dan Houston (Port Adelaide) $697K

Port Adelaide are expected to complete another good season in 2021, the Power were the No.3 ranked team in 2020 for disposals in the H&A season. It is expected senior coach Ken Hinkley will maintain his game plan which should result in a fair few decent fantasy returns in 2021, one player who could benefit could be Dan Houston. After an early season midfield role in 2020 he moved back to defence later in the year, he is likely to be used as the floating defender in a high disposal team. 

Season Projection: 100

6. Sam Docherty (Carlton) $676K

The Blues started to move away from a slow moving game plan midway through 2020 into an efficient ball moving team, the addition of Adam Saad likely contributes to the fast pace in which senior coach David Teague would like to move the ball. Docherty has been an elite scoring defender in fantasy for most of his career, his numbers won’t completely disappear which still makes him a genuine threat to be highly ranked at his position in 2021. Ownership will be friendly to begin the season. 

Season Projection: 100

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7. Jayden Short (Richmond) $694K

The time has come for Short to take over as the main fantasy defender in the Richmond team, Bachar Houli has been troubled with injuries in recent times & may be managed at times throughout this season. The 43 Disposals for Short in the AAMI Community Series game against Collingwood was pretty hard to ignore, but that won’t be anywhere near his season average. The Tigers do move the ball efficiently for the most part, when the ball is slow moving out of defence expect Short to be part of that chain. 

Season Projection: 100

8. Caleb Daniel (Western Bulldogs) $676K

The Bulldogs are a high disposal type team, they were ranked No.4 in the 2020 H&A season. Daniel will likely be the main distributor out of defence this season, his ability to hit targets at a high rate is a major asset for the Bulldogs. Under the roof at Marvel Stadium Daniel can put up some genuine high ceiling scores, the Bulldogs play 6 of their opening 11 games at that venue. Expect Daniel to be right up there as a top defender this season. 

Season Projection: 100

9. Callum Mills (Sydney) $705K

The move into the middle of the ground finally appears to be on for Mills in 2021, he will add quality depth to the midfield group which still has some growth available in the younger generation at Sydney. Mills was a solid scoring fantasy player in his previous defensive role, expect a similar output in 2021 with the potential for higher ceiling games in favourable match-ups. Despite the role change he may still go overlooked at Round 1. 

Season Projection: 95

10. Luke Ryan (Fremantle) $673K

As Fremantle start to get some key defenders back this season it may allow Ryan to be used more as a floating intercept type, regardless of his role week to week expect him to see a fair share of the ball in the Fremantle back half this season. Fremantle were the No.2 ranked team for disposals between Rounds 9-18 last season, Ryan is likely to see plenty of opportunities in 2021 if the Dockers play a ball possession type game. Ownership is likely to be very friendly to begin the season.

Season Projection: 95

Article by @aflratingsPete 

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