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
2. Sam Taylor
Sam Taylor entered 2024 widely regarded as the best defender in the game, celebrated for his aerial prowess, top-tier intercepting and ability to stifle the league's most elite forwards with unmatched one-on-one defence.
However, an unfortunate heavy concussion suffered early in the season sidelined him for critical matches, limiting him to just 18 games.
His absence diminished GWS' defence significantly, and while Taylor returned for their finals campaign, his reputation as an unbreakable force took a hit after Joe Daniher's match-winning goal in the semi-final โ scored from a decisive one-on-one against Taylor.
Despite this tough ending, Taylor's body of work speaks for itself; his intercept marking and spoiling abilities make him a nightmare matchup, and his low contest loss rate cements his standing among the best key defenders.
With quality defensive support from Jack Buckley and the Giants eager to rebound from their finals disappointment, Taylor is expected to reassert himself as the league's premier backman in 2025, hungry to make amends for a season marked by both highs and setbacks.
