While less celebrated in the AFL, defenders have continued to do the heavy lifting on the last line for little credit in return.
The last several seasons have seen wave after wave of fresh faces stamp their authority as the leading backmen in the competition, with 2022 being no different.
This year's All-Australian back six saw four players earn their maiden blazers, meaning the last four years have included 20 different defenders in the backline.
Geelong, Melbourne and Fremantle ranked as the leading defensive clubs in 2022, with the former's rearguard proving decisive on their way to premiership glory.
Here we rank the top 10 defenders from the 2022 season.
1. Steven May
The pinnacle defender of the AFL, premiership Demon Steven May secured his second successive All-Australian selection after another dominant year in the red and blue.
May entered the year off the back of a career-best campaign in what was a glorious year for the Demons, and while 2022 failed to bear the same fruit, May went about his business.
The former Suns skipper recorded the lowest contested one-on-one loss rate in the AFL by some margin, losing just nine of his 85 direct contests for a rate of 10.6%.
Defender
Disposals
Marks
Rebound50s
Pairing with fellow star defender Jake Lever for their premiership defence, May showed little reason to suggest any other player has claimed his throne as the most reliable key defender in the competition.
