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.

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Essendon

Terry Daniher โ€“ 1978-1992 (294 games)

Although the vast majority of his footy was played the decade prior, Essendon legend Terry Daniher finished his career in the AFL era.

With three All-Australian selections, a league MVP, a club best and fairest and two flags to his name, โ€˜TD's' resume as a defender is well and truly stacked.

Dustin Fletcher โ€“ 1993-2015 (400 games)

Having played 400 games of senior football as a defender, including Dustin Fletcher in this list was a given, however, finding players whose careers did not overlap his proved nigh on impossible.

The lanky stopper finished his multi-marathon career with two flags, two All-Australian selections, a best and fairest award in a Premiership year and the applause of the football world.

With a career average of 4.38 marks and 6.04 rebound 50s per game, it is not hard to see why.

Jordan Ridley โ€“ 2018-Present (26 games)

A low tally for games played but the potential Ridley possess places him as one of the club's most valuable assets.

The 22-year-old had a breakout 2020 campaign, claiming the Crichton Medal and cementing his place in the competition as one of the best users of the ball by foot.

With massive upside, Ridley is sure to lead the Bombers back-third for years to come and will only get better in 2021.

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