In the AFL Fantasy, GameDay Squad, and Supercoach worlds, groupthink often dominates preseason rankings, creating a herd mentality that discourages critical analysis. When we rely on the consensus of experts without questioning its validity, we risk overvaluing players based on outdated assumptions rather than the evolving trends in the game. One area where this is particularly evident is in the rankings of defenders heading into 2025.
In 2024, three defenders averaged over 110 points in AFL Fantasy, and five surpassed 127 points in GameDay Squad—a feat unmatched by midfielders, of whom only one broke that threshold in AFL Fantasy and three in GameDay Squad. This shift highlights the potential changing dynamics of Fantasy AFL in all forms, where the value of defenders—especially those staying in defensive roles—is on the rise.
Looking at community rankings and my own defender assessments, I believe a mistake is being made. Many ranking systems in 2025 overvalue defenders who transitioned into midfield roles, despite evidence that their scoring often declined in 2024 when moving out of defense.
We have seen fantasy strategies evolve from “Guns and Rookies” to 'Value", with recent winners emerging from coaches who recognized trends early. This is especially true in GameDay Squad, where identifying trends quickly is critical to weekly and overall success. I believe the consensus valuation of top defenders is flawed, as it fails to fully account for the impact of midfield roles.
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Rethinking 2025 AFL Fantasy Defender Rankings: Why Role Matters
In 2025, the assumption that midfield roles automatically boost scoring potential is no longer valid. Defenders consistently benefited from higher disposals, intercept marks, and uncontested kicks—all key metrics for AFL Fantasy scoring. Conversely, moving into the midfield often led to reduced scoring opportunities. The 2024 season illustrated this clearly, as elite defenders outperformed the elite midfielders.
Case Studies: Role-Based Scoring in 2024
Harry Sheezel – +19 Points Better as a Defender
Harry Sheezel’s versatility saw him playing multiple roles in 2024, with 31% center bounce attendances (CBAs). His data reveals a stark scoring split: in games with 29% or more CBAs, Sheezel averaged 106.25 points, but in games with less than 15% CBAs, he scored a pig level 125.4—a 19-point difference.
Sam Flanders – +12 Points Better as a Defender
Sam Flanders demonstrated a similar trend. With 39% CBAs in some games, he averaged 101.1 points, whereas in games where he primarily played defense, his average jumped to 113.5—a 12-point disparity that highlights the value of his defensive role.
Jack Sinclair – +9 Points Better as a Defender Over Three Years
Jack Sinclair’s scoring splits over the past three years are consistent. In 2024, he averaged 98.2 points in games with over 50% CBAs, compared to 106 points in games with less than 10% CBAs. Similar trends were observed in 2023 and 2022 (97.7 and 93 from 1 game in 2022). Games where he played less than 10% CBAS he went at 108.8 in 2023.reinforcing the idea that Sinclair thrives in a defensive role.
Nic Martin – +5 Points Better as a Defender
Nic Martin, though only attending 2% CBAs in 2024, exhibited a scoring improvement tied to defensive roles. To do this I have used games where he took kick ins thanks to DFS Aiustralia. In games where Martin took kick-ins, he averaged 109 points, compared to 104.3 points in games without kick-ins—a five-point difference tied to his defensive contributions.
So lets review the 2025 AFL Fantasy Defender Rankings
Revised Top 10 AFL Fantasy Defenders for 2025
1.Lachie Whitfield
Lachie Whitfield’s scoring in 2024 exploded back onto the scene with nine scores above 120. In 2025, he should rank first and is expected to continue playing his current role. GWS’s game style focuses on building from defense and running in waves, with Whitfield as the conductor of this style. While he’s older and has had some down years, he is anticipated to dominate points from kicking. The only concern is that he could potentially become a tagging target. However, given his defensive role and consistency, he’s likely to be amazing again.
2.Dayne Zorko
Dayne Zorko’s veteran experience and ability to adapt to a defensive role in 2024 cemented his place as a top performer. Averaging over 110 points per game, Zorko demonstrated his ability to find loose ball, averaging 7.9 marks, 26.3 disposals, and a 21:5.4 kick-to-handball ratio. If Zorko continues in this role (which he has trained for all preseason), and with Coleman looking to be building slowly in his preseason (possibly missing rounds 0 and 1), Zorko is set to keep his valuable defender role despite his age.
3.Harry Sheezel
He’s still a star and will remain phenomenal in 2025, but his value is expected to drop in AFL Fantasy. His cards are overvalued in GameDay Squad as he may fall below a 110 average as a midfielder if that becomes his primary role in 2025.
4.Wanganeen-Milera
This is my pick to make a huge step up in 2025. He will play defense in a high-disposal backline. With Bonner gone, he may see an uptick in his kick-out percentage, and if Sinclair spends more time in the midfield, expect Wanganeen-Milera’s scoring to increase significantly. He will be in my starting team in AFL Fantasy and GameDay Squad.
5.Nic Martin
Projected to be a midfielder in 2025, Nic Martin possesses serious fantasy ability that was evident from his first game. While we lack a sufficient sample size to predict his performance as an inside midfielder, if the role eventuates, Martin is expected to perform well again in 2025.
6.Sam Flanders
Flanders is expected to be good, with an average around 100 points if he plays more midfield time in 2025. With Rioli and Nobel in, there’s no clear reason for him to continue in defense. If he rests forward more often in 2025, his average could even drop.
7.Jack Sinclair
Sinclair looks to average just above 100 points. If he moves back and takes on more kick-ins, he could improve further, but as the Saints’ Mr. Fix-It, it’s unlikely that his role will change significantly.
8.James Sicily
I’m really excited about Sicily in 2025. If he plays as a defender, he could easily push a 100-point average. This would make him a standout pick in AFL Fantasy and a highly undervalued card in GameDay Squad.
9.Luke Ryan
I like Ryan’s role, which matches the archetype of players chasing cheap kicks that dominated Fantasy scoring in 2024. If Fremantle’s key defenders stay fit, Ryan could play as the third tall who drops off and acts as a link player.
10.Jordan Clark
If it’s not Ryan, I think it’s Clark who will step up. I imagine one of these two will see significant improvement as the key distributor for a Fremantle team that looks set to improve and put teams under plenty of pressure.
Risks of Overvaluing Midfield Shifts
The 2024 AFL Fantasy season highlighted that elite scoring defenders in traditional roles consistently outscore those transitioning into the midfield. Yet, groupthink inflates the rankings of players expected to thrive in midfield roles, overlooking the growing importance of defenders in AFL Fantasy.
Conclusion: A Call for Critical Thinking in AFL Fantasy Rankings
As we head into the 2025 AFL Fantasy season, it’s time to challenge the consensus on defender valuations. Players like Lachie Whitfield and Dayne Zorko deserve higher rankings for their defensive contributions, while players like Harry Sheezel and Sam Flanders may warrant lower expectations due to potential role shifts.
What’s your take? Share your thoughts in the comments below! For more insights, check out our guides on up-to-date hacks for free GameDay Squad packs and what AFL GameDay Squad is all about.
Cheers,
The Goal Practitioner
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