Defenders are arguably the most crucial players on the ground at any time during a game of AFL.
Whilst awards such as the Brownlow and Coleman Medal are highly respected, an award for the game's best defender is yet to be added to the AFL's top awards. Whilst the Brownlow can of course be won by any player, it is undoubtedly a 'midfielder's award' rather than a title for any player.
Whether it be a game-saving mark, diving interception, or a punch of the footy that would make the late great Danny Frawley proud, defenders deserve more recognition in our great game.
In 2023, plenty of defenders had phenomenal seasons. In this list, we tried to break down and order the ten best of the season just passed.
2. James Sicily
James Sicily remains one of the best defenders in the competition.
Hawthorn's reliance on their skipper cannot be understated as he is consistently named amongst the best on the ground every game.
Finally earning his maiden All-Australian blazer in 2023, Sicily averaged a career-high in disposals per game along with marks.
It's very rare for a defender to be tagged but that happened on multiple occasions as teams did everything they could to nullify the 28-year-old.
Defender
Disposals
Marks
Rebound50s
