Some names in the mix for AFLCA’s brand new defensive award

We’ve got the Coleman Medal for the leading goalkicker, and the Brownlow Medal which is normally won by midfielders.

But what about the poor defenders?

Defensive acts and defensive pressure are spoken about frequently by AFL coaches, but these things are often overlooked when giving out awards.

That is all about to change.

The AFL Coaches Association (AFLCA) will this year unearth the defender of the year for the first time, as confirmed by CEO Alistair Nicholson.

The AFLCA currently has the Champion Player of the Year, the Best Emerging Player and the Gary Ayres Medal (Best Finals Player) and now they’ll have the Best Defensive Player.

“We have the coach votes - who the coaches think the best player of the year is,” Nicholson, a former Melbourne defender, said on SEN’s Whateley.

“That’s now recognised as a really well thought of award.

“One of the things we talked to senior coaches about last year was defence and the defensive aspect of the game playing such an important part, and how do we recognise that.

“We ran a pilot last year where the coaches voted on who they thought was the best defensive player. It’s quite a broad category so we just basically say, ‘Who do you think has had the best impact from a defensive point of view?’. It might mean effective tackles, spoils, stopping a quality opponent, intercept marks, defensive running patterns - whatever it is.

“This year we have run it formally with the idea that at the All-Australian awards and our awards we announce it.

“Some of the names that are in the mix are not necessarily going to get lots of Brownlow votes but it’s good recognition.”

Nicholson revealed some of the names who are in the running for the inaugural defensive award.

“The players that have good, solid votes so far this year are Tom McCartin, Daniel Turner, Callum Wilkie, Ryan Lester, Harris Andrews, Oisin Mullin and Connor O’Sullivan,” he added.

“You’ve just got a different group that are having an important impact on the year and the coaches just felt that something they wanted to reward and recognise.

“Hopefully we can build that in prestige over the coming years.”

Coaches are asked to fill votes for two players, which includes opposition, for the best defensive player in each game.

“We will at the end of the year get who the coaches think have been the best defensive players across the league,” Nicholson said further.

“Coaches talk so much about the defensive aspect of the game so we can recognise that.”

The award will be recognised in the form of a medal for the first time at the conclusion of the 2026 AFL season.