Who is the best Key Defender on our list?

[The Doctor]

Who is your first choice key defender as we head towards the 2023 season.

I thought it would be interesting to see what people think given the recent history of the contenders

[chef]

Naughton. Not going to happen but it'd be out of him and Jones(if he finds his pre covid form)

Lobbe, Marra and Darcy firing will make this move happen. In my head anyway.

[jazzadogs]

Who is your first choice key defender as we head towards the 2023 season.

I thought it would be interesting to see what people think given the recent history of the contenders

Coin flip between Jones and Keath for me, but by the end of 2023 I won't be surprised if it's Gardner.

Jones and Keath were both pushing AA quality in 2021, and both seem to have their bodies right.

[hujsh]

Jones sounds like he's come in ready to be number 1. Otherwise Egg

[Bulldog Joe]

Jones has come in to be precisely the first choice defender, so at this point he is the one.

Leaning to Ryan Gardner getting there at some stage through the season.

[bornadog]

I voted Gardner because I am not sure the effects of a year out of footy has done to Jones.

[Prince Imperial]

Gardiner finished 7th in a club best and fairest of a team who played finals in 2022 and is in his prime at 25. His key defender partners were a struggling Keath and battlers in Cordy and O'Brien.

Jones finished 8th in a club best and fairest (and behind Lachlan Plowman who played the same number of matches) of a team who only won 8 matches in 2021. His key defensive partner was a gun, Weitering, who finished second by a long way in that count. Jones didn't play at AFL level in 2022 and turns 32 next month.

[Bulldog4life]

Gardner for me at this stage. Could easily end up Jonesy.

[EasternWest]

Jones sounds like he's come in ready to be number 1. Otherwise Egg

Her?

[hujsh]

Her?

He's really funny

[AutoFill]

By seasons end it will be Bruce ��

[1eyedog]

Jones can do everything that Gardner can do and mark the ball. He's winning the poll for a reason.

[Grantysghost]

By seasons end it will be Bruce ��

Interesting, big call. Be nice if he could find his spot there. He’s looking really fit which is a good start.

[Grantysghost]

Gardner for me.

The spoil king, endurance to burn and has a real grit and determination that is paramount in defence.

[soupman]

Keath if everyone was peak fitness. Don't trust him after last year though.

Jones next best if he was coming off a good year in the AFL. He isn't so I don't trust him either.

Gardner wins it atm, but I rank them all about 7 out of tens atm.

[Mofra]

Based on last year, Gardner - and I think he's really a no 2 defender at AFL level.
Hoping Jones proves me wrong.

If Keath regains form, I suspect we play him more as an interceptor rather than a legit FB/KPD

[Mavericks]

Jones and Keath will be in 2023. Both look fit and motivated and injury free are close to AA defenders.

Ryan came 7th in the B & F, However I was very surprised how he outvoted Red and others. He showed significant improvement in 2023 but is still a limited player. Needs to work on his marking, reading of the game, decision making and not spoiling teammates. I see him complementing Keath and Jones very well this year. Can play a lock down roll and will probably play on the 3rd tall. Would play him of Cameron and Curnow due his mobility and would love to see him shut them down like Moz did.

[F'scary]

Gardiner finished 7th in a club best and fairest of a team who played finals in 2022 and is in his prime at 25. His key defender partners were a struggling Keath and battlers in Cordy and O'Brien.

Jones finished 8th in a club best and fairest (and behind Lachlan Plowman who played the same number of matches) of a team who only won 8 matches in 2021. His key defensive partner was a gun, Weitering, who finished second by a long way in that count. Jones didn't play at AFL level in 2022 and turns 32 next month.

Now you've got me all worried.

[Go_Dogs]

Jones got my vote.

The most runs on the board and plays a good blend of defensive and attacking footy.

[GVGjr]

Jones got my vote.

The most runs on the board and plays a good blend of defensive and attacking footy.

I think I voted doe Keath but Jones might pass them all. Really impressed with his kicking skills today.

[Dogs 24/7]

Who is your first choice key defender as we head towards the 2023 season.

I thought it would be interesting to see what people think given the recent history of the contenders

Based on the reports we have been reading here it has to be Jones.

[Dogs 24/7]

Naughton. Not going to happen but it'd be out of him and Jones(if he finds his pre covid form)

Lobbe, Marra and Darcy firing will make this move happen. In my head anyway.

I was originally just going to skip past this but if Bruce is struggling as a defender and we know when fit he is a effective forward could a forward line of of JUH, Bruce and Lobb make us a competitive scorer knowing that Naughton would transform our defense?
Very unlikely but worth considering.

[Matjoh]

Currently Gardner easily and he's still got upside. Flogged ports Dixon amongst others and ranked elite for spoils. Cant rely on Keaths 2021 efforts or Jones'. Now both older [and slower?]. Hope K & J prove me way wrong. Fingers crossed.

[GVGjr]

Currently Gardner easily and he's still got upside. Flogged ports Dixon amongst others and ranked elite for spoils. Cant rely on Keaths 2021 efforts or Jones'. Now both older [and slower?]. Hope K & J prove me way wrong. Fingers crossed.

I'm a bit more optimistic than that with Keath and Jones. Gardner can play on a variety of players and if Keath and Jones can stay fit and the early vision is positive in that regard I think we can have a stronger defensive back line.

[1eyedog]

Deleted.

[HKB]

I’m in the Naughton to the backline camp.
I just think that Bruce and Darcy are better suited to the forward line meaning Naughton should go back for team balance.
We’re potentially wasting 2 players if Naughton stays forward. I don’t know what’s happening preseason but from the games I saw last year, Darcy is a great mark and reader of the play but doesn’t have the speed or strength to stick to a man. He’s the type of player who other teams should worry about rather than asking Darcy to play accountable football.
Bruce has tremendous forward instincts and just knows where to go and fit in with the other forwards. As a defender, I think we take away his greatest strength and is just another big body.

[Go_Dogs]

I’m in the Naughton to the backline camp.
I just think that Bruce and Darcy are better suited to the forward line meaning Naughton should go back for team balance.
We’re potentially wasting 2 players if Naughton stays forward. I don’t know what’s happening preseason but from the games I saw last year, Darcy is a great mark and reader of the play but doesn’t have the speed or strength to stick to a man. He’s the type of player who other teams should worry about rather than asking Darcy to play accountable football.
Bruce has tremendous forward instincts and just knows where to go and fit in with the other forwards. As a defender, I think we take away his greatest strength and is just another big body.

Ideally we’d have 2 Naughton’s to play at either end. He is probably the most suited player we have to play CHB, but he’s also been our best forward for a few seasons and has the swagger and marking ability in packs that we don’t quite get elsewhere.

I agree with you that Darcy and Bruce are both probably better suited to play as forwards, but for Darcy I don’t mind him spending time back for development, while with Lobb’s recruitment Bruce has seen the challenge ahead and made sure he’s able to get some time in another role - a great versatile back up at this stage.

Good thought provoking post and one I’m sure we’ll continue to debate.

[GVGjr]

I’m in the Naughton to the backline camp.
I just think that Bruce and Darcy are better suited to the forward line meaning Naughton should go back for team balance.
We’re potentially wasting 2 players if Naughton stays forward. I don’t know what’s happening preseason but from the games I saw last year, Darcy is a great mark and reader of the play but doesn’t have the speed or strength to stick to a man. He’s the type of player who other teams should worry about rather than asking Darcy to play accountable football.
Bruce has tremendous forward instincts and just knows where to go and fit in with the other forwards. As a defender, I think we take away his greatest strength and is just another big body.

I still remember the practice game at Ballarat against St Kilda when Naughton was swung forward by Bevo and it worked but it's been an ongoing debate. Mick McGaune told me a couple of weeks back that in his opinion Naughton is a AA defender.
I can see both sides to the argument but it's hard to move a guy capable of scoring 50 goals in a season.

I guess the question is could Lobb, Marra and Bruce get us close to what we need in terms of output from key forwards?

[Grantysghost]

For me it's an easy decision.

Defence wins finals.

We will have an amazing attack with Lobb, Bruce, Marra, Weightman etc.

Our weakness is in defence. Put your best player there.

Kicking goals wont be a problem for us, stopping them will.

[GVGjr]

For me it's an easy decision.

Defence wins finals.

We will have an amazing attack with Lobb, Bruce, Marra, Weightman etc.

Our weakness is in defence. Put your best player there.

Kicking goals wont be a problem for us, stopping them will.

Our recruitment of Jones and now a fitter Keath plus the emergence of Gardner gives us a bit more depth than in previous years plus it looks like Darcy is a first choice defender. Would Naughton to the back line a fix a problem that we don't have?

[Grantysghost]

Our recruitment of Jones and now a fitter Keath plus the emergence of Gardner gives us a bit more depth than in previous years plus it looks like Darcy is a first choice defender. Would Naughton to the back line a fix a problem that we don't have?

Last year Keath looked washed up, let's see how he is travelling at rd 10.
Jones hasn't played for 18 months so has to be question marks.
Darcy, well he's a 5 gamer.

Gardner is a very good defender.

I think the backline is still brittle to be honest. Hopefully I'm wrong!

[bornadog]

No way would you move a player who has kicked 108 goals 77 behinds in two years.

Good FF are rare, great FF are like gold and over the years following the club, I can only count a few really good FF in our team.

To be a tall backman, all you have to do is punch the ball and take a few marks, you don't have to be a star, you have to be consistent. FF is a tough position to play, just ask Liam Jones who has found being back is much easier.

[Grantysghost]

No way would you move a player who has kicked 108 goals 77 behinds in two years.

Good FF are rare, great FF are like gold and over the years following the club, I can only count a few really good FF in our team.

To be a tall backman, all you have to do is punch the ball and take a few marks, you don't have to be a star, you have to be consistent. FF is a tough position to play, just ask Liam Jones who has found being back is much easier.

Even if it gives the team a better chance of winning?

[bornadog]

Even if it gives the team a better chance of winning?

But he won't because someone has to kick the goals. Last year we lost Bruce who had contributed about 50 goals in 2021 and we didn't really replace that. It is very difficult to be a big goal kicker, and Naughton is one of the best in the AFL.

Lobb only kicked 36 last year, Darcy is unknown and a baby at this stage.

[MrMahatma]

But he won't because someone has to kick the goals. Last year we lost Bruce who had contributed about 50 goals in 2021 and we didn't really replace that. It is very difficult to be a big goal kicker, and Naughton is one of the best in the AFL.

Lobb only kicked 36 last year, Darcy is unknown and a baby at this stage.

I agree. Naughton up fwd makes our team better than Naughton down back. We'd be robbing Peter to pay Paul and Paul would still come knocking for a few extra quid and send in the debt collectors... the dodgy ones that are happy to take your knees as payment.

[Grantysghost]

But he won't because someone has to kick the goals. Last year we lost Bruce who had contributed about 50 goals in 2021 and we didn't really replace that. It is very difficult to be a big goal kicker, and Naughton is one of the best in the AFL.

Lobb only kicked 36 last year, Darcy is unknown and a baby at this stage.

Exactly what the coaches would be constantly debating. I think we have enough firepower to kick winning scores IF we can hold the opposition more often.

I'm a big believer in defense first.

[bornadog]

Exactly what the coaches would be constantly debating. I think we have enough firepower to kick winning scores IF we can hold the opposition more often.

I'm a big believer in defense first.

Our issue was defensive system breaking down last year.

[Rocket Science]

It'd be a hall of fame Bevo moment to recruit a mature key back then decide, as Naughton nears the peak of his powers it's time he went back too.

That said, given Jones & Keath are running around on 32 and 31 year old calves respectively and the next cab off the rank is Josh Bruce, he may not have a choice at some point.

FWIW I'd be curious to see Naughts prowling around as a 'hunter' again, rather than being hunted. He'd be an absolute menace patrolling half back.

[Jeanette54]

FWIW I'd be curious to see Naughts prowling around as a 'hunter' again, rather than being hunted. He'd be an absolute menace patrolling half back.

I think Naughts real strength is that he is one of few key forwards that do truly hunt the ball. If he can't actually mark the ball the party is just starting.

[Axe Man]

The main premise I disagree with in the Naughton forward v back argument is that he will automatically be an amazing defender after playing one season there at AFL level 5 years ago. I know he was a backman in juniors but he would have some remedial work to do.

Would he be a good defender? Almost certainly. Would he be a great defender? Unknown. Is he a great forward? I believe he is and that is much harder to find.

[Grantysghost]

The main premise I disagree with in the Naughton forward v back argument is that he will automatically be an amazing defender after playing one season there at AFL level 5 years ago. I know he was a backman in juniors but he would have some remedial work to do.

Would he be a good defender? Almost certainly. Would he be a great defender? Unknown. Is he a great forward? I believe he is and that is much harder to find.

Axe . Bubba's aggots were tingling. That's the end of the argument.

Also : good point.

[Grantysghost]

I think Naughts real strength is that he is one of few key forwards that do truly hunt the ball. If he can't actually mark the ball the party is just starting.

He is bloody amazing at ground level for his size. Like a massive panther.

[chef]

Im glad I've found a partner in the move Naughton back madness. Welcome GG.

[chef]

For me it's an easy decision.

Defence wins finals.

We will have an amazing attack with Lobb, Bruce, Marra, Weightman etc.

Our weakness is in defence. Put your best player there.

Kicking goals wont be a problem for us, stopping them will.

Its another Chris Grant sized dilemma aint it.

[Virgin-Dog]

You're only as good as your last season. Currently, Gardner is the best key defender on our list. This could change very quickly if Keath is back to a fitter version of himself (he was omission-worthy for much of last season), and I could easily see Jones jumping ahead too. If Darcy is really improving as fast as some claim he is, we could end up with the crazy scenario where our best KPD of last year is suddenly playing in the twos. Not a bad problem to have really, although I do still think Darcy ends up forward before the season is over

[letoucan]

Jones if the best KPF, was elite for 1 on 1s and intercepting. Keath at the Crows was never played on the gorillas, his best role is intercepting 3rd tall but Darcy probably takes that role.

[Matjoh]

Old cliche you're only as good as last season.
Currently on form then Gardner has to be our best KPP back.
Last year Keath was ordinary. Jones hasn't played for 18 months so big question marks on both, remembering too, their age. Will they hold up all season. Darcy yet to be determined. Bruce clearly not in the frame.

[HKB]

I guess we’ll find out as the season progresses. Naughton looked lost towards the back end of last year next to Marra. Didn’t know how to share the forward line. He’s had all pre season to work on his partnership with Marra and Lobb so if he comes out firing and dangerous then he stays. But if he continues to look lost and struggle for form and confidence sharing with Marra and Lobb, then the debate will start anew. Especially if Darcy leaks goals in the backline and dominates when swung forward.

[Sam]

Hopefully it's Jones and if Keath is fit and displays his 2021 form we will do alright this year

[Generation West]

Jones

[comrade]

I haven’t gone through all 4 pages but everyone is correctly saying Aaron Naughton, yes? :D

[chef]

I haven’t gone through all 4 pages but everyone is correctly saying Aaron Naughton, yes? :D

Only 3 of us have been brave enough to say it.

[Grantysghost]

Only 3 of us have been brave enough to say it.
Sometimes you have to stand up for what’s right Chef.

#sendhimback

[mjp]

Only 3 of us have been "CRAZY" enough to say it.

I've fixed it for you.