Dream Team: Defenders
portadelaidefc.com.au takes a look at the Power's defensive Dream Team prospects.
Over the next three weeks portadelaidefc.com.au will be taking you through the entire playing squad and analysing their Dream Team worth, starting with the backline.
Related: Brad Gotch takes a look at the backline
The club will once again be running its own Dream Team group, where you can win great weekly prizes. First time players can register and join here, while players who are already registered can join here.
You can tell us what you think of our analysis and which players will be making your Dream Team for 2012 by commenting at the bottom of this story.
Troy Chaplin
Price: $339,200
2011 ave: 68.57 (21 games)
2010 ave: 74.1 (20)
Career ave: 64.8
Has consistently averaged in the 60-70s for the past three seasons, playing as one of three talls in the Power backline. In 2011, he managed four hundreds but was held to under 50 points six times. Benefits from playing the role of loose man in defence. A reliable choice for a sixth or seventh back.
Jackson Trengove
Price: $304,200
2011 ave: 61.5 (22)
2010 ave: 52.7 (19)
Career ave: 57.4
The 2011 John Cahill Medallist was one of just two players on the list to play all 22 games last season (Robbie Gray the other), but as a key defender, Jacko tends to have a low possession count. Monitor him through the NAB Cup as he could have improvement left as a Dream Teamer, being just his fourth year on the list.
Ben Jacobs
Price: $297, 200
2011 ave: 60.08 (12)
2010 ave: N/A
Career ave: 60.08
The Power’s first pick in the 2010 National Draft, Jacobs played 12 games in his first season with the club, showing glimpses of why he was rated so highly as a junior. Is likely to play predominantly down back but will spend time in the midfield and has the potential to rack up plenty of possessions.
Paul Stewart
Price: $296,800
2011 ave: 66.67 (6)
2010 ave: 62.1 (20)
Career ave: 56
Tearing up the training track after an injury-interrupted season in 2011. Listed as a back but will spend plenty of time working through the midfield making his price enticing. Another to monitor through the NAB Cup, but his hard-running, workmanlike approach to the game could see him average in the 80s.
Tom Logan
Price: $291,300
2011 ave: 58.9 (20)
2010 ave: 71.6 (18)
Career ave: 62.2
A standout for the Power in 2011, establishing himself as a small defender who plays a lock-down role on an opposition forward. This role saw a drop in his average from 71.6 in 2010 to 58.9 last season and with Logan likely to continue in this role in 2012, his Dream Team numbers will hover in the 50s or 60s.
Jasper Pittard
Price: $275,900
2011 ave: 55.77 (13)
2010 ave: N/A
Career ave: 55.77
Pittard’s average was affected by two scores under 10 where he was subbed off the field with a hamstring injury. Has the ability to find the ball and with his raking left foot, the Power will try to get the ball in his hands as much as possible. Price may be a slight turn-off, but he’s proven he can rack up 25+ possessions off a half back flank. An option for a sixth or seventh Dream Team defender, but his best is probably still a year or two away.
Cameron O’Shea
Price: $270,400
2011 ave: 54.67 (18)
2010 ave: N/A
Career ave: 54.67
Despite being a late pick in the 2010 National Draft, O’Shea forced his way into the Power’s starting 22, playing 18 games in just his first season. One of the elite runners at the club, he’s physically mature and his Dream Team scores should benefit from spending more time in the midfield. Like Pittard, an option for a sixth or seventh defender.
Alipate Carlile
Price: $257,800
2011 ave: 52.12 (17)
2010 ave: 54.6 (21)
Career ave: 50.6
Bobby gets the big jobs on the opposition’s key forwards every week, restricting his Dream Team scoring ability. Hasn’t missed too many games over the past four years, but has never averaged more than 55. There are better options in Dream Team.
Nick Salter
Price: $249,800
2011 ave: 50.5 (6)
2010 ave: 50.6 (8)
Career ave: 51.4
Still a relatively unknown quantity in Dream Team, but his accurate foot skills mean that when he’s playing, the Power will look to get him the ball. He’ll be competing with several others for a spot in the back six so it’s best to monitor him during the NAB Cup to see where he’s going to slot in. Has more scoring potential than his average of 50 suggests, but don’t be expecting anything much over the 70s.
Jacob Surjan
Price: $185,500
2011 ave: 37.5 (8)
2010 ave: 62 (13)
Career ave: 54.5
His price makes him an attractive prospect if he can force his way into the back six. Still not likely to average much more than 60, but could be a handy cash cow with a ceiling price of about $320,000 if he’s back to his best. A fighter, Surjan will be desperate to become a regular again in 2012.
Andrew Moore
Price: $153,300
2011 ave: 31 (6)
2010 ave: 41.4 (7)
Career ave: 36.6
Has been hampered by injury in his two seasons at AFL level, the 9th pick in the 2009 National Draft is an extremely attractive prospect if he can get his body right. Will mix his time between the backline and the midfield and has a far greater scoring potential than his previous averages suggest. A third year player at close to a first year player’s price, he has to be considered if he can prove his body is right during the NAB Cup.
Thomas Jonas
Price: $137,300
2011 ave: 27.75 (4)
2010 ave: N/A
Career ave: 27.75
Through hard work, Jonas forced his way onto the senior list and into the team for the final four rounds of 2011. Played a negating role on several key opposition players, limiting his scoring potential. Still on the rookie list, he could be a good downgrade option later in the season if he can work his way onto the list.
Nathan Blee
Price: $98,700
2011 ave: N/A
2010 ave: N/A
Career ave: N/A
A mature-age recruit at 21, Blee has had an interrupted pre-season restricting his preparation for 2012. Unlikely to play early in the season, but will put pressure on the tall backs throughout the year. If he can force his way into the team, he’ll be an attractive cash cow with his sound foot skills likely to mean he gets a bit of the ball.