Reinvented Carlton defender Liam Jones is leading the competition for conceding the most goals to direct opponents in 2018.
After four rounds, Jones has had 21 goals kicked on him and is leading the most unwanted individual award, which the Herald Sun have dubbed the โReverse Colemanโ.
Coming in at second in the "Reverse Coleman" is Richmondโs David Astbury at 13 goals, while Gold Coast co-captain Steven May and West Coast defender Tom Barrass are both tied for third on 12, according to Champion Data.
The Carlton defender revived his AFL career last year by switching from the forward line to the back line and earned himself a two-year contract extension.
Last season, Jones conceded 31 goals across 12 games but he had much more talent and experience around him.
The Bluesโ backline has been depleted by injuries so far this season with Sam Docherty, Sam Rowe, Caleb Marchbank, Ciaran Byrne, Alex Silvagni and Tom Williamson all missing games early this year.
Carltonโs other key defender, Jacob Weitering, has also been out of form and sits at fourth in the Reverse Coleman conceding 11 goals to his direct opponents.
Jonesโ opponents arenโt getting any easier as the Blues are set to take on West Coast this weekend, he is likely to line up against two-time Coleman Medallist Josh Kennedy.
Former captain of the Blues Robert Walls says Jones must adjust his positioning if he wants to return to the promising form he showed during the back half of last year.
โLiam Jones got a lot of pats on the back last year and I just thought hang on, just be careful, because I just thought it was a bit of an over-reaction,โ Walls said on Fox Footyโs AFL Tonight on Monday.
โHeโs got to go back and just play shoulder-to-shoulder on his opponent.
โHeโs playing 10m in front and heโs getting lost. Good teams will expose him and exploit him, which theyโve done.
โHeโs just lost the ability to play tight on an opponent and thatโs the No. 1 thing you should do as a defender. I hope that he does that.โ
Players with the most goals kicked on them in 2018
21 - Liam Jones (Carlton)
13 - David Astbury (Richmond)
12 - Steven May (Gold Coast)
12 - Tom Barrass (West Coast)
11 - Jacob Weitering (Carlton)
11 - Connor Blakely (Fremantle)
9 - Tom Clurey (Port Adelaide)
7 -Nathan Brown (St Kilda)
7 -Lynden Dunn (Collingwood)
7 - Jeremy Howe (Collingwood)
