Key defenders are the backbone of any successful AFL team, providing the critical resistance needed to thwart opposition attacks and set up offensive transition.
As we turn away from the 2024 season, the competition boasts an impressive array of tall backs who excel at intercepting, contested marking and one-on-one contests.
This list highlights the top 10 key defenders in the AFL, celebrating those who have consistently demonstrated elite capabilities, as well as some stars on the rise poised to leave their mark.
Let's dive into who made the cut and who narrowly missed out as we rank the game's best tall defenders, beginning with the following players who just missed out:
Snubs
8. Tom Barrass
Tom Barrass' move to Hawthorn elevates him to a team on the rise after years of holding down West Coast's defence through their tumultuous rebuild.
The 29-year-old, a 2018 premiership player with the Eagles, has long been an elite contested marking interceptor, ranking among the league's best in this role.
2024 was yet another strong season for Barrass, where he ranked sixth in the AFL for one percenters per game and 10th for intercepts per game.
Despite West Coast's struggles, Barrass' ability to read the play, take intercept marks, and win crucial contests in the air shone through, making him a standout even in a struggling team.
Now at Hawthorn, Barrass will bolster an already formidable defensive unit. His premiership experience should be vital for the Hawks as they push towards contention in 2025, offering a perfect blend of leadership and defensive prowess. Working alongside James Sicily and a host of effective backs, Barrass may help form the best defensive lineup in the league.
