Is defense more important than offense in AFL?

!!

Think I started that one

 

Gonna regurgitate my post in another thread as it's relevant to the discussion

When I say defense wins premierships, I don't mean the back six. I'm referring to an amalgamation between the literal defence, the defense of the midfielders, pressure of the forwards and tactics. Sydney's 05 premiership was won not via midfielders or forwards, probably not even defenders - but with a revolutionary & defensive tactic. When I talk about defence, I'm not talking about players like Hurn who rebound; that's attack. I'm talking about defense mentality at it's core.

Look at Carlton's midfield. Jizzworthy. Judd, Murphy, Kreuzer, Gibbs, Simpson, McLean, Robinson, Carrazzo. Why haven't Carlton succeeded with that midfield? Overoffensive midfield. They've eventually picked up on it and sent Carrots in but it's still way too offensive. Statistically they dominate but they're rolled in things like centre breaks and goals from clearances.

Look at the premiership winning midfielders - say, Geelong: Ablett, Bartel, Kelly, Corey, Selwood - I'll even throw in Enright as he often played through the middle then. Every single player was good offensively, but just as good defensively.

Hawks prem i've conceded is forwards, most definitely. Although with a midfield of Crawford, Lewis, Mitchell, Hodge & Sewell you'd be crazy not to concede that it was a defensively proficient midfield. Even the small forwards (Bateman, Ladson, Osbourne) all played a defensive foil to the forwards. Collingwood's is a little more baffling; their midfield is unidimensionally attacking.

 

Let's say Jarryd Roughead was equally as good a key defender as key forward (true, IMO). Where would you want him playing, that's the question.

 

But Hurley's a far, far superior key back. When Daniher's ripe they'll run with Hurley in defence and Gumbles/Ryder & Daniher forward.

 

No, the reason he plays as a forward is that their current key forwards are

- Gumbleton. Perennial failure who's always underdone and never kicked on
- Ryder. Recruited as a centre half back, turned into a ruck due to Hille's ACL and then a forward due to being a) tall and b) there being no vacancy down back.

While they've got Myers, Fletcher, Pears, Hooker and Carlile to take key defence spots.


If your current key forward is a 2/10 and key back is a 7/10, and you've got a guy who's a 5/10 key forward and 8/10 key back and no other options, he'll play forward as he improves the side more.

 

dwta so, so hard.