Revealed: The AFL defenders who create the most scoring chains, and why they’re so important

Score launches may be a statistic you have rarely heard of, but the numbers underline an increasingly crucial element of the game of Australian Rules football.

A score launch refers to the process of a team gaining initial possession, either from a free kick, hitout to advantage or clearance, and turning that possession into a scoring opportunity.

Ruckmen typically dominate this metric, as they have more opportunities to begin initial phases of possession, but it's important for AFL clubs to have defenders performing well in this category too.

Why?

Being able to generate scores from the defensive half is crucial to success in the modern AFL, as the pace of the game continues to rise and half-backs emerge as some of the game's most pivotal players.

In fact, the top six teams that generate the greatest proportion of scoring chains from defensive 50 all reside inside the top half of the ladder; Geelong (12.3% of scoring chains), Western Bulldogs (11.3%), Brisbane (10.8%), GWS (10.7%), Fremantle (10.4%) and Hawthorn (10.2%).

Furthermore, each of the last four premiers ranked in the top four for scoring chains generated from the defensive 50. Eventual 2022 and 2024 premiers, Geelong and Brisbane, led the metric.

So, which defenders have been launching scoring chains more than most this season and, in the process, contribute to more score involvements for their respective clubs?

Perhaps unsurprisingly, two of the best kicks in the competition sit head and shoulders above the rest: Bailey Dale and Tom Stewart.

The pair are the only defenders in the league to generate at least two score launches per game, with Dale slightly ahead at 2.3 to Stewart's 2.2. What's interesting to note, however, is that two-thirds of Stewart's score involvements come from chains he started, highlighting his position deep in Geelong's defence and how effective he is at generating scoring opportunities from there.

Dale, however, produces 5.5 score involvements per game, equal-second amongst listed defenders, highlighting how he can launch scoring chains, but also contribute to scores further down the ground more regularly than a key defender like Stewart.

Joining Dale in this niche of elite chain-starters and score involvement is St Kilda's Jack Sinclair, who ranks fifth in score launches among eligible defenders with 1.8 per game and equal-second in score involvements per game (5.5). Sinclair has become paramount to St Kilda's attack from their defensive half, involved in over a quarter of St Kilda's total scores.

Only his teammate, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, has a higher percentage of involvement among eligible defenders (29.0%). Still, he did not make the top 10 list of score launches, highlighting how he has progressed to more of a midfield role as the season has gone on, placing his involvement in scoring chains further down the field.

A common AFL prototype seen on this list is the speedy half-backs who are regular kick-in takers. Sinclair and Dale both fit this category as two of the more prolific kick-in defenders, but Swans gun Nick Blakey also emerges here, averaging 1.9 score launches per game while taking 4.9 kick-ins per game, which ranks sixth among defenders league-wide.

Fellow quick half-backs Jordan Clark and Connor Rozee have been elite at creating score launches for their sides as well, each averaging 1.7 per game.

Despite the Demons struggling all year, the team ranks seventh for the proportion of scoring chains from the defensive 50. This is thanks to both Steven May and Jake Bowey, who combine for 3.4 score launches per game. That's the third-highest of any backline duo in the league, trailing Dale and Rory Lobb (3.7), and Stewart and Sam De Koning (3.5).

While statistics like this in isolation should be taken with a grain of salt, it's clear some clubs are reaping the benefits of having defenders who are able to weaponise their disposals in transition.

The following list details the top 10 AFL defenders who create the most score launches, ordered by score launches per game (minimum 10 games played).