Backlines can often do the heavy lifting in footy, especially if they're part of a side looking to turn their list around at the foot of the ladder.
With A-grade defenders a commodity in the AFL, and half-backs often going unnoticed whilst offering their best efforts, those that ply their trade down back hold an accountable role that can go unrewarded.
As made evident in last year's premiership run, a well-gelled rearguard can be the cornerstone in conjuring the right list worthy of planting their flag at the summit come the end of the season.
With the season nearing and each side looking to improve on the results of yesteryear, we profile each side's list of defenders and rank them against their league counterparts.
The Power boast a tremendous balance of talented talls and exciting smalls in defence.
Captain Tom Jonas will lead from the back again in 2022, while All-Australian defender Aliir Aliir is regarded as one of the most dominant big men in the competition.
Behind them in the queue falls Trent McKenzie and Tom Clurey, who add much-needed reinforcement for the aforementioned Jonas and Aliir.
Defender
Disposals
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Rebound50s
Across half-back, All-Australian runner Darcy Byrne-Jones, accumulator Dan Houston, former Hawk Ryan Burton and fringe runner Riley Bonner also add edge to the Power's backline.
2021 breakout utility Karl Amon has also shown a great capacity to move into defence when required, linking up in transitions across the back third.
For depth, Ken Hinkley is able to rely on two of the most exciting defenders in the AFL, with Lachie Jones and Josh Sinn sure to see extensive minutes in 2022.
The Lions hold a top-heavy backline when you gaze across their pecking order, with start trio Harris Andrews, Brandon Starcevich and Daniel Rich leading the charge for Chris Fagan.
Andrews has held a place among the top echelon of AFL defenders for several seasons and is seen as arguably the best tall back in the league.
Both Starcevich and Rich are seen as his supporting cast, with the pair offering the ability to lockdown star small forwards and then slingshot the Sherrin out of defensive 50 respectively.
Marcus Adams and Darcy Gardiner add to the Lions' key position depths, while Mitch Robinson shares his service between half-back and the wing.
Skipper Dayne Zorko has been flagged as a half-back option for the 2022 season, while Callum Ah Chee and Keidean Coleman are also tipped to feature down back.
James Madden and Ryan Lester will continue to contend for spots in Brisbane's best 22, while top draft selection Darcy Wilmot is seen as a fitting successor for Rich in the coming years.
The Giants' defensive third is framed around their key-position towers in Nick Haynes and Sam Taylor, who offer a pairing that's destructive to just about any attacking avenue for opposing sides.
Haynes is capable of negating his direct opponent while also peeling off to aid his teammate, while Taylor is more than capable of winning his own ball while still meaning up on some of the game's best spearheads.
Veteran defender Phil Davis adds further support, while Jack Buckley and Connor Idun will continue to cut their teeth at AFL level.
At ground level, the Giants are bolstered by ball winners and efficient users given their brimming midfield brigade.
Star Lachie Whitfield will continue to share his role between half-back and midfield, while Harry Perryman will hold a similar role should he continue the trends of his previous season.
Isaac Cumming offers silver service out of defence, while former top draft selection Lachie Ash adds pace and precision from defence through midfield.
Despite finishing in 12th last season, the Tigers ranked as a top-eight side for points conceded while rarely seeing their best back-six feature alongside one another.
The departures of senior pair Bachar Houli and David Astbury will be felt, however the Tigers will continue to be a defensive threat in the competition in hosting a balance of youthful, primed and senior figures down back.
Richmond were able to plug holes in the off-season, adding veteran Roo Robbie Tarrant and the most exciting defender in last year's draft class in Josh Gibcus.
The pair will join a prolific back third, which boasts the pedigrees of Dylan Grimes, Noah Balta, Nick Vlastuin, Nathan Broad, who bring a premiership, best and fairest and All-Australian calibre to Damien Hardwick's side.
Forward-turned-defender Daniel Rioli is set to spend more time in defence, contending with Sydney Stack as an option at half-back.
Liam Baker is another capable figure who could find time in defence, while Rhyan Mansell, showed glimpses of what's to come in his debut season last year.
As a collective, the Tigers' defence is sure to strike plenty of fear for the rest of the competition as they eye a return to premiership contention.
The Cats' backline won't 'wow' the general footy fan, but their robust system and structure has been a constant presence in recent seasons, leading to stingy defence and ongoing top four finishes.
Arguably Geelong's most important player across their entire squad is 2021 Carji Greeves medallist Tom Stewart, who is able to lock down almost any opponent before offering quality service and speed toward the forward half of the field.
His absence was greatly felt in the latter end of last season, with a foot injury curtailing an All-Australian campaign and soon open holes across Chris Scott's defence.
However, the Cats remains competitive thanks to the deep lines down back, with the next pick of the bunch coming in the form of emerging backman Jack Henry.
A breakout campaign last season has placed Henry in good stead for the future as he continues to form a sturdy tandem with Stewart, defensive tall Mark Blicavs and the incumbent Jake Kolodjashnij.
Their smalls also hold down key roles in defence, with veteran pair Zach Tuohy and Isaac Smith often sharing duties between half-back and the wing last season.
Jed Bews, Tom Atkins and Mark O'Connor will also be part of rotations in defence, while Zach Guthrie and highly-rated one-game Cat Sam De Koning offer further depth for key-position roles.
Headlined by key-position and All-Australian pairing Jake Lever and Steven May, the Demons' defence was a reliable cog in their run to the premiership.
Simon Goodwin's side conceded the least amount of points last season, seemingly having an answer to any shape their opposition attack takes.
Half-back Christian Salem joined the aforementioned Lever and May within the All-Australian 40-man squad, while the likes of Trent Rivers, Harrison Petty, Michael Hibberd, Jayden Hunt and Jake Bowey add exciting depth and flexibility.
The return of Adam Tomlinson will further bolster Melbourne's defensive third, adding to a rearguard that ranked first in average intercepts and tackles per game last year.
The Demons' defensive setup is also aided by their flexibility in the ruck, with tall Luke Jackson able to ease the duties of skipper Max Gawn, who is able to play behind the ball and give great assistance to his side's rearguard.
The addition of swingman Jacob van Rooyen in defence is also set to add to the Demons' impressive tall stocks down back for the future.