From the most porous to the AFL's equivalent of Fort Knox, ahead of the bounce of the ball on Thursday night, we've ranked the league's best backlines.
We've already seen the back sixes that forwards across the competition dine out on. We've also seen the units that are making strides towards greatness. Now, we present the backlines that are primed to push for premiership success, the Crรจme de la crรจme, if you will.
RELATED: Every AFL club's backline ranked: Part I
SEE ALSO: Every AFL club's backline ranked: Part II
These are the teams with premiership-level defences, units with essentially no holes when healthy. Their key men can stop most opposing threats and their medium-small backs can prevent chaos and hit targets.
Many of these teams also benefit from a deep overall list and plenty of capable midfielders finding a role through the half-back line.
A couple of the sides may appear to suffer from a lack of star power, but the structure and organisation of the gameplan allow their role-players to utilise their strengths to the maximum; see Robbie Fox for Sydney or Jake Kolodjashnij for Geelong.
These are the elite backlines entering the 2023 AFL season, the teams ranked 6-1.
3. 3. Fremantle
The Dockers were one of the most effective defensive outfits in 2022 with their aerial strength and contribution from young players.
Alex Pearce put together his best season yet after missing the entirety of the 2017 and 2020 seasons. Pearce led the way at full-back with a stellar year of locking down opposing talls and showing a level of leadership worthy of being named captain of the club in 2023.
His return has been another heart-warming comeback story, complimented beautifully by star backup key defender Brennan Cox. Another player coming off a career-best year, Cox slotted seamlessly into the Longmuir-led back six and may play a more important role given the loss of Griffin Logue.
In the pockets, Heath Chapman brings excellent intercepting ability as the third tall. At just 21 years of age, he also adds a factor of exciting unknown potential that could be on display this season.
His veteran teammate, Luke Ryan has been a consistent performer since breaking into the side, he provides an extra defensive presence while being one of their desired defensive 50 exit players.
Their number one ball user out of the backline, however, is certainly Hayden Young. Still only 21, the manbunned interceptor could explode at any moment and become an All-Australian level talent. His brutal left leg is the most notable feature but he is yet another Docker with tremendous aerial ability, rounding out an elite, rock-solid defence that forces opponents to beat them at ground level.
Offensively, Jordan Clark provides an explosive option off half-back with his pace, he may get some time down back when resting from his wing role or if Longmuir needs a change of pace in defence.
Finally, Brandon Walker is another youngster with some quality experience in the system. Only 20, this will be his third AFL season and second year as a consistent contributor if he shows out in the early rounds.
