Forwards win memberships and defenders win Premierships, the old adage goes.
The men at the back are not only integral in keeping opposition scores down, they also provide the first line of attack.
In the AFL era, 1990 until the present day, plenty of players have called the defensive fifty home. Many of this aforementioned group have also retired champions of the game, or at least look set to.
With the off-season slowly creeping to a close, we here at Zero Hanger have attempted to create a list of every club's best three defenders that never played together.
However, there are four rules to this exercise.
1. Three players must be selected from each club.
2. Even if they have played for multiple clubs, no player can be selected on the list of two teams.
3. All players must have played at least a portion of their careers from 1990 onwards.
4. As mentioned, no player can have played an in-season match with any of their colleagues.
For example, should Glenn Archer be selected for North Melbourne, then all of his backline buddies between 1992 and 2007 become ineligible.
With that in mind, here is our best stab.
Let us know how we have gone and which clubs you feel have fared best.
St. Kilda
Danny Frawley โ 1984-1995 (240 games)
When compiling a list of defenders, Danny Frawley, the patron Saint of spoils and ear massages, was never facing omission.
If there were any previous doubts that Frawley was put on this earth for the purpose of ruining forward's days, then they were eradicated with his invention of โThe Golden Fist' award.
In the twelve seasons โSpud' spent at Moorabbin, he earnt a Victorian jumper on six occasions, All-Australian honours in 1988 and a B&F in the same year.
Despite passing in 2019, Frawley's presence is still felt around the club and his name lives on with nephew James joining the Saints this off-season.
Sam Fisher โ 2004-2016 (228 games)
Following his decision to put a career in football ahead of one in golf, Sam Fisher's SANFL form saw St. Kilda select him as a mature-aged recruit in the 2003 Draft.
With his eye-catching blonde tips and solid frame, Fisher became a regular fixture in defensive 50 following his debut in 2004.
Although managing to play every game in 2006, it was the implementation of Ross Lyon as coach that saw Fisher's game go to the next level.
As a strong September performer โ including 42 disposals against Collingwood in the 2009 qualifying final โ the South Australian was selected in all three of the Saints' Grand Final appearances between 2009 and 2010.
After finishing his career with over 200 games to his name, two Trever Barker medals, another pair of podium finishes and All-Australian selection in 2008, Fisher is roundly regarded as St. Kilda's best backman of this century.
Nick Coffield โ 2018-present (36 games)
The Saints young gun made major strides in 2020 and looks to be a keeper in the red, white and black.
Impressing with his immense work rate and leadership capabilities, Coffield is seen as the next commander of the club and will step in as the Saints' next architect from the backline.
The 21-year-old finished fifth in the 2020 Trevor Barker Award count and looks set to match his club in making plenty of noise this season.
