Who are your club’s most structurally important AFL players in 2023?
Following injuries to key players around the league over summer including St Kilda’s Max King, Melbourne’s Max Gawn and Hawthorn’s Mitch Lewis we have compiled a list of each club’s trio.
This is based on how difficult it would be for the club in question to replace the output of these players if they’re injured.
Depth at the position is obviously important in that regard. A star ruckman might be structurally important, but if the team has another quality ruck on their list then losing them is less disastrous.
Taylor Walker, Tom Doedee, Rory Laird
Taylor Walker showed, yet again, how important he is to the Crows by finishing fourth in the best and fairest in a season in which he kicked 47 goals. Despite Darcy Fogarty’s emergence, Walker remains Adelaide’s most important forward and almost everything forward of centre revolves around him.
In defence, Tom Doedee is vital in his role as an intercept marker. He allows the likes of Jordon Butts and Nick Murray to focus on beating their direct opponents. Without Doedee, there always appears to be a gaping hole down back.
He may not appear important due to his stature, but Rory Laird’s influence as a clearance and contested midfielder is immeasurable.
When Laird is out, there is way too much reliance on Ben Keays. When Laird is in, the Crows are more than competitive at clearance. He will only be aided by the impending return of Rory Sloane which is a major bonus.
Andrew Slevison
Harris Andrews, Oscar McInerney, Lachie Neale
With Marcus Adams out with concussion, Brisbane’s reliance on Harris Andrews will only grow in 2023.
While he’s supported by the likes of Jack Payne and Darcy Gardiner, Andrews is the only elite tall in defence and the Lions need him to restrict the opposition kicking big scores.
Ruckman Oscar McInerney is another player Chris Fagan can ill-afford to lose and while Darcy Fort is there as depth, the Lions will hope that McInerney continues as first-choice.
With Joe Daniher and Eric Hipwood both equally as important up forward, Lachie Neale stands out as the most critical midfielder.
While the Lions have a deep on-ball brigade – particularly with the addition of Josh Dunkley – there’s no doubting Neale makes things tick and is the most important man at the coal face.
Lachlan Geleit
Jacob Weitering, Harry McKay, Charlie Curnow
Carlton’s selections are pretty straightforward.
Jacob Weitering is the pillar of their backline and Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay hold up the forward line.
All three would be top 10 players in the competition at their respective positions and the Blues have struggled in recent years when missing any of the three.
Patrick Cripps would obviously also be in the mix, but the Blues do have more depth on-ball than in their key position stocks.
Nic Negrepontis
Darcy Cameron, Darcy Moore, Jordan De Goey
Collingwood’s most important player structurally in 2022 was Darcy Moore, but he’s been overtaken by ruckman Darcy Cameron in 2023.
While he’s not Collingwood’s most impactful player, Cameron is crucial to the Magpies and Craig McRae will be sweating on his fitness this year after Brodie Grundy left the club in the off-season.
Moore was an obvious one last year, with the star defender the only Magpie with the size and athleticism to match up on the AFL’s most dangerous talls. That issue has been slightly alleviated this season though with the addition of Billy Frampton.
Dynamic midfielder Jordan De Goey is the on-baller Collingwood can ill-afford to lose, his ability to go forward and game-winning traits make his presence in the line-up crucial.
Lachlan Geleit
Peter Wright, Jake Stringer, Jordan Ridley
It was apparent in 2022 that the Bombers relied heavily on Peter Wright.
He won the best and fairest, kicked 53 goals and rated elite for marks inside 50 and contested marks. Without him, the 2022 season could have been something far inferior for the seven-win Dons.
When up and running, Jake Stringer is crucial to Essendon’s structure given his ability to pinch-hit in the middle before floating forward. They’ll be hoping for a full year from the oft-injured Stringer to execute the important dual role.
If Stringer happens to spend the majority of his time in the forward line, his presence inside 50 will be vital alongside Wright.
Jordan Ridley will also be crucial to Brad Scott’s game plan in 2023.
If Jayden Laverde, Jake Kelly and even Zach Reid can hold down the key posts, it allows Ridley to become the dominant intercept player he was in 2020 and 2021.
Andrew Slevison
Andrew Brayshaw, Alex Pearce, Brennan Cox
Fremantle’s key pillars are in the backline, with Alex Pearce and Brennan Cox holding up incredibly important roles in the team’s structure.
We have seen the Dockers struggle without them in previous years, but also how dominant their backline can be with them. Andrew Brayshaw is clearly the team’s heartbeat on-ball and gets the final nod.
The addition of Luke Jackson lessens the load on Sean Darcy, while the loss of Rory Lobb and Matt Taberner’s injury history makes him hard to rely on.
Nic Negrepontis
Tom Stewart, Jeremy Cameron and Mark Blicavs
Geelong is blessed with a brilliant best 22 but has a key reliance on these three in particular. The Cats’ dependence on Tom Stewart was clear at the end of 2021 when the star Cat was ruled out with a foot injury and the defence struggled as such.
His absence also throws the role of Mark Blicavs into question, given he has now developed himself into a fully-fledged midfielder who now only plays behind the ball when needed. Blicavs’ ruck work was also an underrated part of his game in 2022 that allowed the Cats to free up Rhys Stanley.
Meanwhile, Jeremy Cameron’s versatility is a dream for Chris Scott. The key tall is one of the most established goal-kickers in the league, but has a tank that also allows him to play higher up the ground, allowing for a dynamic combination between him and Tom Hawkins.
Seb Mottram
Ben King, Jarrod Witts and Sam Collins
Gold Coast has a clear three from a key position standpoint, with Ben King, Jarrod Witts and Sam Collins.
They survived 2022 without King thanks to Mabior Chol and Levi Casboult, but if the Suns are to climb the ladder they need their spearhead fit and firing.
Witts would be up there among the best ruckmen in the AFL and also serves as the club’s captain, making him vital to the team in more ways than one. Collins meanwhile has proven himself as an ever-reliable key defender and the main pillar of the club’s backline.
You could easily argue star midfielder Touk Miller belongs on the list, but Gold Coast does have decent on-ball depth.
Nic Negrepontis
Toby Greene, Sam Taylor, Nick Haynes
There is perhaps no player in the competition more important to their club than Toby Greene. A spiritual leader and arguably the most talented player on their list, GWS’ win/loss record without Greene is a clear indicator of his importance, wherever he’ll be unleashed in 2023.
With Phil Davis’ injury struggles, Sam Taylor stood up in 2022 to claim a maiden All-Australian blazer. Without Taylor, Adam Kingsley would have a severe lack of options to combat the opposition’s best forward in what is already a leaky defence.
Nick Haynes hasn’t been at his best over the last 24 months, perhaps explaining the Giants’ struggles. But with the ability to play one-on-one or loose in defence, as well as being one of the club’s most experienced players, means Haynes’ form will be crucial to GWS in 2023.
Seb Mottram
James Sicily, Mitch Lewis, Jai Newcombe
With Hawthorn in the midst of a drastic rebuild, their squad could see plenty of change throughout the season.
However, James Sicily, Mitch Lewis and Jai Newcombe will serve as the pillars of the club as adjustments are made around them.
Poised to be named the next captain of Hawthorn, Sicily is pivotal to the Hawk’s backline. Lewis serves as the pillar on the other end of the field yet will unfortunately miss the start of the season after a knee injury.
Newcombe is Hawthorn’s most exciting young gun, bursting onto the scene last season as the key cog for the future of their midfield.
Jack Makeham
Steven May, Clayton Oliver, Tom McDonald
Steven May is arguably as important to Melbourne’s structure as any player is to their club’s across the entire competition.
The way he orchestrates the defence and intercepts at will has been a crucial element for the side in recent seasons. When he was out and leaving Jake Lever too much to do, the Dees looked very much penetrable.
Clayton Oliver is the club’s most important midfielder from a clearance and contested possession viewpoint. He led the league in those two categories in 2022. While he has strong support from Christian Petracca, you get the feeling the Demons need Oliver slightly more than they need Petracca from a pure midfield sense.
Will the return to fitness of Tom McDonald have a massive impact in 2023? His absence was felt inside attacking 50 in the second half of last season as the Dees frequently went through Ben Brown and the undersized Bayley Fritsch. The presence of McDonald will make life much easier for that pair.
Captain Max Gawn still remains one of Melbourne’s most important structural elements but that importance has waned following the addition of Brodie Grundy.
Andrew Slevison
Nick Larkey, Ben McKay, Ben Cunnington
Nick Larkey and Ben McKay hold down the key position stocks at either end and hold down vitally important roles for North Melbourne. Both have been high points for the Roos despite a few tough years.
We saw what North Melbourne’s midfield looked like in 2022 without Ben Cunnington who is the heart and soul of that group and an elite clearance midfielder.
Todd Goldstein remains their best ruckman, though they have depth with Tristan Xerri and Callum Coleman-Jones.
Nic Negrepontis
Charlie Dixon, Todd Marshall, Aliir Aliir
After battling away up forward and plugging a gap in the ruck, the Power will be hoping things are a little different for Charlie Dixon in 2023.
With Scott Lycett due back to resume ruck duties, Dixon will be able to hold down a permanent spot in the forward line.
This is where Todd Marshall, last season’s leading goalkicker, will become even better and even more crucial. With Dixon back full-time, Marshall will generally get an inferior opponent and could become a more dangerous proposition.
In defence, Aliir Aliir presents as Port’s most important player structurally. His ability to play a one-on-one role as well as that of an intercept defender makes him a vital asset.
He forms a strong defensive pairing with captain Tom Jonas in a side that isn’t blessed with a great amount of key defensive depth.
Andrew Slevison
Tom Lynch, Toby Nankervis, Nick Vlastuin
Tom Lynch has been a dominant force for the Tigers since arriving at Punt Road in 2018, yet in the years since has developed even further, becoming arguably the most important player at the club.
The focal point up forward for Richmond, Lynch’s significance was highlighted last year after he took out the club’s best and fairest.
Another pivotal piece of the Richmond unit is Toby Nankervis. While rucks generally don’t tend to be overly crucial to teams around the league, the Tigers co-captain is able to contribute all around the ground, providing more than just hitouts with physicality, a tackling presence and timely marks in defence.
While Richmond often deploy Ivan Soldo as the backup ruck, the absence of Nankervis is always apparent whenever he misses time.
Down back, Nick Vlastuin is the defender that Richmond simply can’t live without.
While co-captain Dylan Grimes frequently gets the credit, it is Vlastuin’s elite zone defending and intercept play that enables Grimes and the rest of Richmond’s defence to play their roles effectively.
Dion Prestia is often seen as Richmond’s most important midfielder but his structural importance might not be as evident now that Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper have arrived.
Jack Makeham
Max King, Dougal Howard, Rowan Marshall
Arguably St Kilda's most important player structually, Max King went down with a serious shoulder injury that'll see him miss at least the first month of the season. King booted 52 goals in 2022 and in a forward line that already lacks height, King's marking ability makes him so important structually for the Saints.
Down back, Dougal Howard is the man responsible for trying to curb the influence of the oppositions big forwards. With Howard matching up on the number one tall, it allows the likes of Callum Wilkie and Josh Battle to play their intercept marking game.
Big man Rowan Marshall will be crucial if the Saints are to do anything in 2023. With veteran Paddy Ryder hanging up the boots in 2022, Marshall's value to the Saints doubles. Marshall's ability to ruck out the game by himself whilst hitting the scoreboard makes him a dream player for a coach.
Hugh Fitzpatrick
Tom McCartin, Tom Papley, Callum Mills
Sydney’s most important player structurally is a hard one to pinpoint, such is the depth and even spread of the playing squad.
Down back, the most important has previously been Dane Rampe, but Tom McCartin has emerged as a genuine rock in defence. His ability to lock down key talls allows the likes of his brother Paddy, Jake Lloyd and Nick Blakey to attack and the Swans will plan their defence around the 23-year-old.
Up forward, Lance Franklin has been the man for a decade but entering what could be his final season, Tom Papley is the player who makes things tick inside 50. With a raft of capable talls, Papley is the goalkicker the Swans can ill-afford to lose with his energy around goals unmatched.
In the middle, Callum Mills has emerged as one of the competition’s best and his ability to run both ways give the Swans a different dimension on-ball.
Lachlan Geleit
Tom Barrass, Jeremy McGovern, Jack Darling
Tom Barrass emerged as a star for the Eagles in 2022, taking out the club’s best and fairest with some stellar play down back and cementing himself as one of the club’s most vital players.
With Barrass’ emergence, West Coast have a formidable defensive duo on their hands, lining him up alongside Jeremy McGovern.
Making his name with elite intercept marking, McGovern has been one of the competition’s best key defenders for a long time, and still serves as a pivotal piece of this Eagles squad.
On the other side of the field, Jack Darling is the focal point for the Eagles, stepping into the role of number one forward after the retirement of Josh Kennedy.
In future, Oscar Allen would be hunting for this top role, but for now Darling is clearly the key cog.
Jack Makeham
Tim English, Tom Liberatore, Aaron Naughton
Should injury strike the Western Bulldogs’ in 2023, Luke Beveridge will rest assured in the knowledge he’s got plenty of cover.
But Tim English’s role is heightened after Stefan Martin’s retirement and the lack of a standout next-best option. He also enjoyed a career-best year in 2022, as did Aaron Naughton.
The key forward booted 51 goals last year, and while Rory Lobb was recruited to ease the burden, Naughton will prove invaluable again in a young forward line.
Meanwhile, while the Bulldogs have plenty of options in the midfield, none are more structurally important than Tom Liberatore. When the Dogs are at their best, Liberatore provides the grunt on the inside to allow more flexibility for Marcus Bontempelli and Jack Macrae on the outside.
Seb Mottram