during the round 15 AFL match between the Sydney Swans and the Western Bulldogs at Sydney Cricket Ground on July 2, 2016 in Sydney, Australia.

The SuperBowl boil-over that saw the Philadelphia Eagles top the New England Patriots shows that offensive excellence can overpower great defensive structures in the AFL also, according to former Melbourne captain Garry Lyon.

Lyon's beliefs go against the majority of those who believe a premiership team is built on an elite defence, most recently evident during Richmond's grand final victory over the offensive juggernaut that is the Adelaide Crows.

“The learnings from yesterday’s Super Bowl for the AFL will be many and varied,” Lyon told SEN Breakfast.

“The thing that should resonate the most is neglecting to embrace the notion of scoring in our game in preference for a heavy focus on defence will be done so at a club’s peril.

“Striking the balance between scoring and defending could be the difference between playing in the finals or not and winning the flag or not.

“Yesterday’s Super Bowl was an offensive tsunami, with the second highest points ever scored, 143 plays were ran, 54 first downs.

“There was just one strip or sack for the game and Tom Brady set an all-time passing record.

“When faced with the conservative option of punting on fourth down, both coaches took the aggressive, offensive approach to the game.

“I acknowledge premierships are won on sound defensive principles, but yesterday was a reminder that exploiting the opposition’s defensive vulnerability, looking to expose and play through opposing team’s weakest links, can be devastatingly ruthless.”

Lyon is hoping that clubs don't take the defensive mindset of the Tigers into season 2018, instead focusing on being as potent a threat inside forward 50 as possible.

“AFL forwards in the past few years have morphed into defenders first and attackers seconders, with great success as we have seen with the Bulldogs and Tigers, but I’m hoping this season isn’t a case of copycat game style,” Lyon said.

“I hope coaches are prepared to load up on their inside 50 group, allow them to remain as forwards rather than charge up the ground when the ball leaves the area, take the vulnerable defender to the goal square, allow for flair and improvisation, and maybe forge a trend that leads them to the promised land.”

If Lyon's comments come into fruition this year, clubs like Essendon, Adelaide and the Giants could all thrive as a result of their star-studded forward halves.