The onballers would win the possessions and the forwards would take the marks and kick the goals, earning your side valuable points.
The backmen were merely playing a negating role, spoiling and contesting wherever possible and would invariably feature on the lower end of the tally board.
But now, the backline in the Toyota AFL Dream Team 2009 is one of the most crucial aspects of the team. The game has evolved over the last few years and teams are dependent on generating drive out of the back half. Many players have learnt to play a ‘quarterback’ role where a forward thrust is set up through them.
When a modern-day team has the ball in defence, there will often be plenty of short and sideways kicks as it bides its time to push forward.
As we all know, more possessions means more Dream Team points and more Dream Team points means a bigger chance of driving off in that brand new Toyota.
Look at the highest priced backmen in the Toyota AFL Dream Team and you will find that they are not necessarily the players acknowledged as the game’s best defenders, but rather players that know how to get plenty of the footy in the defensive 50.
We have picked five of the best options available for Dream Team coaches.
Josh Drummond (Brisbane Lions) - $304,100. There is no one standout for the Brisbane Lions. Drummond, Jed Adcock and Joel Macdonald are all prolific ball gatherers in the defensive 50 and would be handy Dream Team additions. Drummond is the cheapest option of the three and could have the biggest output despite coming off an injury-riddled season. He scored 111 points in the Lions’ clash with Essendon.
Nathan Bock - $372,900. Michael Doughty is priced slightly higher but Bock is the Crows’ main man down back. After winning the club’s best and fairest and earning All-Australian selection last year he is sure to once again be the pivotal point in Adelaide’s defence.
Andrew Mackie (Geelong) -$403,500. He doesn’t come cheap but for good reason. Mackie is still improving as a player and last year had the quarterback role down pat. Another big year is expected of the Cats and this man will be leading the charge.
Luke Hodge (Hawthorn) - $428,800. Can dominate a game from any position on the ground but his career highlight came last year when he won the Norm Smith medal as a loose defender. He can also be drafted as a midfielder but expect him to score most of his points playing across half-back. Coaches might be scared off because he has had an interrupted pre-season but he will have no trouble getting himself back into the swing of it.
Chad Cornes (Port Adelaide) - $379,500. Cornes is traditionally a big scorer in Dream Team but battled with injury last year and fell $144,200 in value from the start of the year. He has played in the NAB Cup and should be set for a good return. He seems underpriced and like Hodge, can score highly no matter what position he is playing.
Click here to register for Toyota AFL Dream Team 2009.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
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