Backlines are often the key to success in the AFL world, with their team-first attitude and actions regularly the difference-maker.
At Zero Hanger, we've undertaken the challenge of ordering each club's backline 18-1 to determine which team has the stingiest defence and greatest upside in what presents to be another cutthroat season of football.
TEAMS 18-13: Every AFL team's backline ranked: Part 1
In the second instalment of our backline rankings, we've revealed the clubs placed 12th through seventh.
1. (12th) Geelong
The Cats have a solid team on paper but figures suggest there is work to do in the back half for Geelong.
Tom Stewart is an eye-catching presence down in defence, with All-Australian honours to his name.
Geelong have also developed Jack Henry and Jake Kolodjashnij into dependable key position assets, while Zach Guthrie is a reliable small.
There are a few intriguing questions surrounding Geelong however.
Does Lawson Humphries continue his emergence in his second season?
The 2023 Pick 63 stunned in his debut year with his efficient ambidextrous kicking and poise in defence. Playing 11 games, Humphries held his spot from Round 16 through to Geelong's exit in the preliminary final. Whether the youngster continues his form will be influential to the strength of Geelong's defence.
Where does Sam De Koning spend his time?
De Koning emerged in the Cats' premiership year as a promising defender, but in 2023 and 2024 has been trialled through the ruck. No solidified role has been confirmed for De Koning and he will likely endure another year of flip-flopping positions until he holds strong form in one role.
As a follow-up point, the same question can be asked about Stewart. Stewart is no doubt Geelong's best defender, but his versatility means he can be a weapon in the midfield should opposing clubs attempt to tag him in defence.
However, his exit from the backline leaves Geelong thin for defensive talent. One-gamer Connor O'Sullivan will take time to fill De Koning's shoes should ge become a regular ruck inclusion, while Jed Bews and Mitch Duncan are 31 and 33 years of age respectively, well past their prime. Tom Atkins can also roll through but he has also been used in the midfield at times.
The Cats also conceded the seventh-most points against in the home and away season, highlighting their occasional make-shift set-up can be leaky.
How Geelong manage their stars, and how often they play in defence, will be the key factor of how their defence performs in 2025.
