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 are the top six rearguards in the competition.
*Denotes a currently injured player
3. Melbourne
Core personnel: Steven May, Jake Lever, Adam Tomlinson, Trent Rivers, Christian Salem, Judd McVee, Jake Bowey
In May and Lever, Melbourne has access to one of the league's finest full-backs, as well as one of its most potent interceptors.
With aerial threats covered, the likes of McVee and, when selected, Bowey can get to work sending the footy forward, with the ever-impressive Rivers providing aid in the air and on the ground.
When needed, Tomlinson can perform a role admirably, with the former Giant holding no fear when it comes to wrangling the game's biggest goalsquare gorillas.
