Glorifying theย AFL's ball-winners and goalkickers is commonplace across the footballing landscape, but as the age-old adage goes: 'defence wins premierships'.

The club that holds the silverware aloft at the end of a season typically boasts a backline consisting of immovable key defenders, eagle-eyed interceptors and attack-minded flankers.

Last year's grand finalists, for example, each possessed stingy, impregnable defensive units, comprising stars such asย Darcy Moore,ย Harris Andrews,ย Brayden Maynard,ย Brandon Starcevich,ย Isaac Quaynorย andย Keidean Coleman, among others.

So, taking into account last year's performance, current personnel and injuries, where does each club's defence rank as we prepare to embark on the 2024 season?

We've ranked everyย AFL club's backline from worst to first. Here's 12 through 7.

PART I: BACKLINE RANKINGS 18-13

4. 9th - Sydney Swans

Core personnel: Dane Rampe, Tom McCartin, Aaron Francis, Lewis Melican, Joel Hamling, Nick Blakey, Jake Lloyd, Oliver Florent, Harry Cunningham, Braeden Campbell

Perhaps the weaker of the Swans' thirds of the field, John Longmire's defence has long battled with undersized and undermanned options - through either list limits or injuries.

The unfortunate departure of Paddy McCartin re-opens a void deep in the Swans' backline - one that was filled by the brilliant addition of the former No.1 pick.

His brother, Tom, is emerging into one of the premier lockdown defenders in the game, but support around him hasn't been present on a consistent basis.

Veteran Dane Rampe has helped to hold down the fort for the past decade, but further help from either Lewis Melican, Joel Hamling, Aaron Francis or free agency recruit Joel Hamling will be needed in 2024.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 08: Jed McEntee of Power is tackled by Daneย Rampe of the Swans during the round four AFL match between Sydney Swans and Port Adelaide Power at Sydney Cricket Ground, on April 08, 2023, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Nick Blakey can play tall but is better suited to his run and kicking game that placed him in All-Australian contention last year, while more dash can be found with incumbents Jake Lloyd, Harry Cunningham, Ollie Florent and part-time midfielder Braeden Campbell.

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