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.
2. Sam Taylor
Perhaps a surprising option to land second overall in our list, but I can assure you Taylor's spot on the podium is well warranted.
The decision to place Taylor might've come as no shock had he perhaps played for a Victorian club, likely gaining greater attention league-wide and from a fan's perspective. But as he continues to pull on the orange and charcoal, Taylor does so as one of the best backmen in the AFL.
Sorting through the numbers that place Taylor in the top echelon, the GWS backman ended the year with the most contested marks among defenders in 2022. He also ranked fourth in the AFL for intercept marks, and fifth in the league for spoils this year.
Defender
Disposals
Marks
Rebound50s
Adding to his strong case, Taylor recorded a contested one-on-one loss rate of just 13.9% - the third lowest in the AFL (min. 50 contested one-on-one contests).
The stellar season saw Taylor recognised as an All-Australian centre-half-back in what was just his third full season in the league, having suffered a serious illness that sidelined him for the majority of the 2020 season.
Like Sicily, Taylor is set to step into a leading role for his club as they undergo a rebuild in what will be a long pathway back towards premiership contention.
