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
3. Jacob Weitering
Jacob Weitering finally secured his long-overdue All-Australian selection in 2024, though some argue it came partly in the absence of Sam Taylor and that Harris Andrews was also in contention.
Nevertheless, his indispensability to Carlton's defence is undeniable; without him, the Blues' backline lacks the structure and reliability required to stay competitive.
The only consistent key position pillar in Carlton's defensive half, Weitering balances a dual role as both lockdown defender and interceptor โ though the lack of support around him often tests this balancing act.
His presence and health are vital for Carlton's ambitions, with his ability to shut down the opposition's best forward and launch counterattacks from deep setting the tone for the team.
As the Blues look to convert their roster into premiership contention, Weitering's form will likely determine whether they're premiership contenders or face another missed opportunity in 2025.
