Mick McGuane ranks and reviews every AFL club’s defence for the 2022 season
Jacob Weitering is the Blues’ defensive pillar who gives great strength and leadership to their backline. But who replaces Liam Jones? Mick McGuane ranks all 18 AFL defences.
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Melbourne boasted two of the six starting All-Australian defenders last season in Jake Lever and Steven May, who are key pillars in a strong and stable Demons backline group.
Melbourne ranked No. 1 in the competition for points against in 2021 and could be stronger again with the return of Adam Tomlinson from an ACL injury.
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Great depth is why I have them ranked as the No. 1 defence in the competition entering 2022 – but there are a few other sides hot on the Demons’ heels.
In ranking the back lines, I looked for a defensive group that could be trusted one-on-one, the intercept markers and intercept possession-winners in each side, each team’s ability to spoil, willingness to win the ground ball, how they use the footy coming out of the backline and even if defenders can win crucial stoppages as opposition forwards may look to drag their defender in and among the stoppages.
Agree? Disagree? Cast your votes and comment below to have your say.
1. MELBOURNE
The top-liners: Christian Salem (21 Games in 2021, 95 Average SuperCoach Score), Jake Lever (22, 91), Steven May (20, 90), Trent Rivers (22, 66), Michael Hibberd (15, 58), Jayden Hunt (20, 56), Adam Tomlinson (7, 56), Harrison Petty (16, 55), Jake Bowey (4, 61)
The top-ups: Joel Smith (2, 47), Majak Daw (0, 0), Judd McVee (0, 0), Deakyn Smith (0, 0), Daniel Turner (0, 0), Jacob van Rooyen (0, 0)
MICK SAYS
Continuity is the key for the Demons. Steven May, Jake Lever, Christian Salem and Trent Rivers all played 20 or more games last season, while Michael Hibberd (15 games) and Harrison Petty (16 games) were also regular fixtures. Add in Jayden Hunt, Jake Bowey and Adam Tomlinson and you have a competitive group that bats deeply. The Demons were the hardest team to score against last season, conceding an average of just 57.7 points a game. In addition to that, they conceded a score from just 39.4 per cent of opposition inside-50 entries – the lowest ever recorded by Champion Data. Melbourne’s backline has great trust among each other, they are aggressive spoilers and proactive readers of the play. I can’t see why they won’t be the measuring stick of the competition again in 2022.
2. PORT ADELAIDE
The top-liners: Aliir Aliir (22 Games in 2021, 88 Average SuperCoach Score), Dan Houston (21, 86), Trent McKenzie (12, 84), Tom Jonas (22, 75), Ryan Burton (22, 75), Darcy Byrne-Jones (22, 75), Tom Clurey (11, 70), Riley Bonner (12, 67), Martin Frederick (8, 41)
The top-ups: Lachie Jones (6, 55), Jase Burgoyne (0, 0), Jake Pasini (0, 0), Josh Sinn (0, 0), Sam Skinner (0, 0)
MICK SAYS
The more footy that Aliir Aliir, Trent McKenzie, Tom Jonas, Dan Houston and Ryan Burton play together, the better this group will be. Trust and reliability will continue to evolve. The strong leadership, direction and guidance that Jonas provides is visible for everyone to see, but the others must upskill themselves to his level if they want to be a Grand Final participant this year. An aggressive and assertive team defensive structure also relies on players further afield to provide pressure and power at the ball, which Port Adelaide does well. Aliir will be better again in his second year with the Power and Burton has the potential to elevate himself to All-Australian status. Port Adelaide gave up third-fewest points against in 2021 and I see no reason why this will change.
3. WESTERN BULLDOGS
The top-liners: Bailey Dale (22 Games in 2021, 95 Average SuperCoach Score), Caleb Daniel (21, 94), Bailey Williams (19, 77), Taylor Duryea (21, 75), Alex Keath (20, 72), Hayden Crozier (10, 70), Ed Richards (5, 60), Zaine Cordy (17, 56)
The top-ups: Josh Schache (4, 68), Ryan Gardner (6, 39), Luke Cleary (0, 0), Sam Darcy (0, 0), Arthur Jones (0, 0), Cody Raak (0, 0)
MICK SAYS
Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge had an exceptional year in 2021 and one of his best coaching moves of the season was turning Bailey Dale into a defender. Alongside Caleb Daniel, Dale provides exceptional kicking skills and attacking flair coming out of defensive 50, which has turned this group into one of the best back lines to watch. Alex Keath is a strong first-choice key defender, assisted by Zaine Cordy and Ryan Gardner. The Bulldogs will miss the retired Easton Wood, but Bailey Williams continues to develop and has intercepting nous, along with Taylor Duryea. As a group the Bulldogs gave up the fourth-fewest points against last season. They defend stoppages and turnovers as well as anyone because their team defence is in sync and opposition sides struggle to move the ball as result.
4. BRISBANE
The top-liners: Daniel Rich (22 Games in 2021, 107 Average SuperCoach Score), Harris Andrews (21, 95), Marcus Adams (15, 77), Jack Payne (9, 62), Brandon Starcevich (22, 60), Ryan Lester (16, 60), James Madden (9, 57), Darcy Gardiner (7, 54), Callum Ah Chee (20, 50), Keidean Coleman (14, 48), Noah Answerth (0, 0)
The top-ups: Carter Michael (0, 0), Deividas Uosis (0, 0), Darcy Wilmot (0, 0)
MICK SAYS
The Lions backline — led by Harris Andrews and Marcus Adams — must stand up week-in, week-out for them to be a legitimate Grand Final contender. I think they can. Andrews is an elite key defender and Adams had a breakout year in 2021 after finally getting his body right. Both players back themselves to mark the ball, which is a trait I greatly admire. Brandon Starcevich is a competitive beast who can play on smalls and talls. With Grant Birchall retiring, the door has opened for Keidean Coleman or Callum Ah Chee to step up and make that spot their own, complementing the attacking and dangerous Daniel Rich. Add in Ryan Lester and James Madden and it is a group that complements each other well.
5. RICHMOND
The top-liners: Jayden Short (22 Games in 2021, 98 Average SuperCoach Score), Nick Vlastuin (12, 85), Liam Baker (22, 83), Nathan Broad (14, 76), Sydney Stack (7, 75), Dylan Grimes (21, 71), Noah Balta (14, 66), Robbie Tarrant (10, 65), Daniel Rioli (18, 62), Rhyan Mansell (13, 48)
The top-ups: Ben Miller (1, 49), Sam Banks (0, 0), Tom Brown (0, 0), Joshua Gibcus (0, 0), Bigoa Nyuon (0, 0)
MICK SAYS
Out: David Astbury. In: Robbie Tarrant. It was clever recruiting by the Tigers, who are also set to get back Noah Balta following an ankle injury that saw him miss the second half of last season. Having Tarrant and Balta at your disposal to play on the best opposition key forwards allows Dylan Grimes and Nick Vlastuin to focus on the intercepting roles they are so good at. Add in Jayden Short, Liam Baker and Nathan Broad and the Tigers are as good as anyone defensively when great effort is given up the ground to limit or slow opposition entries. Sydney Stack shapes as the X-Factor. Someone has to take over the Bachar Houli role after his retirement last year. Stack has all the attributes to be that man and become an elite defender of the competition if he applies himself in a disciplined manner.
6. SYDNEY
The top-liners: Jake Lloyd (21 Games in 2021, 108 Average SuperCoach Score), Dane Rampe (19, 78), Justin McInerney (20, 76), Harry Cunningham (20, 72), Tom McCartin (21, 72), Lewis Melican (5, 63), Nick Blakey (15, 60), Robbie Fox (14, 60), Braeden Campbell (8, 54)
The top-ups: Colin O’Riordan (4, 46), Ryan Clarke (2, 12), Will Gould (0, 0), Barry O’Connor (0, 0), Lachlan Rankin (0, 0)
MICK SAYS
John Longmire and the Swans coaching staff made the necessary defensive adjustments last year and the overall team improvement that followed was stark. Sydney ranked fourth for opposition points from turnovers (up from 12th in 2020), seventh for opposition scores per inside-50 (up from ninth) and 6th for points against (up from 13th). Most importantly, they also stifled opposition ball movement, ranking first in the competition for opposition defensive 50 to inside-50 chains. That pressure up the ground makes life all the easier for the Dane Rampe and Jake Lloyd-led defensive group. Jordan Dawson’s deflection to Adelaide during last year’s trade period is a big loss, given his ball use and defensive mindset. Who takes over his role? I hope Callum Mills is not dragged back from the midfield into defence.
7. GEELONG
The top-liners: Tom Stewart (20 Games in 2021, 108 Average SuperCoach Score), Zach Tuohy (19, 88), Mark Blicavs (21, 84), Jack Henry (21, 82), Tom Atkins (19, 76), Mark O’Connor (13, 72), Jake Kolodjashnij (19, 60), Jed Bews (22, 57), Zach Guthrie (10, 57)
The top-ups: Sam De Koning (1, 27), Oisin Mullin (0, 0)
MICK SAYS
Cats coach Chris Scott has a group of players in defence that know each other inside out and familiarity and trust are key pillars if any team is going to have a strong backline. The Cats have experienced players in Mark Blicavs and Tom Stewart (injured at the wrong time last year) as well as the emerging Jack Henry and Mark O’Connor. Add in a desperate Tom Atkins, a reliable Jed Bews and a versatile Jake Kolodjashnij and Geelong’s backline looks in good shape. The midfielders’ ability to roll back strongly and help the defence by clogging up space is also a key factor to consider and one of the reasons why the Cats are so hard to score against. However, Geelong did slip from 2nd to 10th for opposition scores per inside 50 last year, which is something Scott will be keen to rectify.
8. ESSENDON
The top-liners: Dyson Heppell (18 Games in 2021, 99 Average SuperCoach Score), Jordan Ridley (21, 99), Nick Hind (22, 93), Mason Redman (21, 75), Jake Kelly (20, 69), Jayden Laverde (22, 66), Tom Cutler (10, 62), James Stewart (16, 59), Aaron Francis (14, 56), Michael Hurley (0, 0)
The top-ups: Brandon Zerk-Thatcher (6, 45), Zach Reid (1, 53), Cody Brand (0, 0), Josh Eyre (0, 0), Alastair Lord (0, 0), Garrett McDonagh (0, 0), Patrick Voss (0, 0)
MICK SAYS
Ben Rutten has transformed Essendon into having a very solid backline, even though the Bombers can still be exposed at times. Former forward Jayden Laverde has seen his career resurrected as a key defender who is more than capable in one-on-one contests and is prepared to back himself. James Stewart is worth persevering with as a key defender given his strong ability to read the play, while Jordan Ridley is a star who possesses a good balance of knowing when to attack and when to defend. Mason Redman has genuine upside and the recruitment of Jake Kelly gives the group great flexibility and an added competition edge. Nick Hind and Tom Cutler provide great run and showed rapid improvement last year, while there are big wraps on Zach Reid. Expect Aaron Francis to spend more time forward, given the number of key defenders at Rutten’s disposal. The big question is: Will Michael Hurley gets back? Essendon will be focused on bringing through the youth but it wouldn’t surprise to see Hurley get one last hurrah.
9. GWS GIANTS
The top-liners: Isaac Cumming (22 Games in 2021, 93 Average SuperCoach Score), Lachie Whitfield (15, 92), Harry Perryman (16, 91), Sam Taylor (17, 87), Nick Haynes (19, 76), Lachie Ash (19, 76¬), Lachlan Keeffe (8, 63), Jack Buckley (15, 62), Connor Idun (21, 61), Phil Davis (10, 53)
The top-ups: James Peatling (3, 56), Callum Brown (1, 56), Jake Stein (4, 36), Leek Aleer (0, 0), Ryan Angwin (0, 0), Josh Fahey (0, 0), Cameron Fleeton (0, 0), Will Shaw (0, 0), Jacob Wehr (0, 0)
MICK SAYS
Sam Taylor is a gun defender and the incredible thing is that he is still only 53 games into his career. He’s the type of player any team could build a backline around. But for the Giants to be considered a finals participant, team defence must be a focus. A greater understanding of how it functions and a complete buy in by all players must take place. All aspects of their defence must be coached strongly and then they must rely on their leaders to put them in practice. Immense offensive talent is not enough. GWS sat in the bottom half of sides for protecting turnovers last season. Is that system or the player’s concentration to go from an attacking mindset to a defensive one? They also ranked bottom-six for opposition scores from stoppages. Too many Giants midfielders simply don’t put enough pressure on the opposition ball carrier when they charge into space. But with a shift in mindset, this group could improve dramatically with its defence this year.
10. FREMANTLE
The top-liners: Luke Ryan (19 Games in 2021, 99 Average SuperCoach Score), Hayden Young (8, 77), Joel Hamling (1, 72), Nathan Wilson (18, 72), Brennan Cox (12, 70), James Aish (22, 68), Ethan Hughes (8, 63), Darcy Tucker (16, 59), Griffin Logue (16, 59), Alex Pearce (10, 56), Brandon Walker (10, 42),
The top-ups: Heath Chapman (6, 56), Nathan O’Driscoll (0, 0), Karl Worner (0, 0)
MICK SAYS
Justin Longmuir would be pleading with the footy gods for Joel Hamling, Alex Pearce and Brennan Cox to have uninterrupted seasons. On paper, the Dockers have a strong defensive group. But they couldn’t keep them together on the park last year. Having Hamling, Pearce and Brennan available would free up Fremantle’s best defender, Luke Ryan, to become the elite intercept defender the side desperately needs. Drying up opposition scores per inside 50 would have been high on Longmuir’s summer whiteboard, after the Dockers ranked 16th in that area last season. However, if this backline group can enjoy an injection of consistency and continuity this year, it is capable of playing on most opposition forward lines and having success.
11. ST KILDA
The top-liners: Jack Sinclair (21 Games in 2021, 86 Average SuperCoach Score), Dougal Howard (21, 80), Hunter Clark (13, 74), Bradley Hill (22, 73), Callum Wilkie (22, 73), Tom Highmore (12, 68), Jimmy Webster (20, 67), Nick Coffield (16, 63), Ben Long (14, 45)
The top-ups: Leo Connolly (7, 42), Darragh Joyce (5, 42), Oscar Adams (0, 0), Matthew Allison (0, 0), Ben Paton (0, 0), Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (0, 0)
MICK SAYS
I like the makeup of the St Kilda backline. Dougal Howard has All-Australian qualities and is a competitor who doesn’t shirk the responsibility of playing on the best opposition forward each week. He demands high standards of his defensive group and is the glue that holds them together. Callum Wilkie is adaptable and will become more complete when he better understands angles and the strengths of opposition smalls and talls he plays on. Hunter Clark and Jack Sinclair give the team some class and clarity when they dispose the ball out of defensive 50. Tom Highmore has the ability to become something special this year after another pre-season under his belt. My question is can Ben Long go to another level? On the back of Nick Coffield’s ACL injury, he has to. The big recruit for the Saints might be an off-field one, with new defensive coach Corey Enright already having a big impact on the group. Players generally become an extension of their coach and Enright brings plenty of composure, class and clarity.
12. WEST COAST
The top-liners: Shannon Hurn (15 Games in 2021, 91 Average SuperCoach Score), Jeremy McGovern (15, 89), Alex Witherden (9, 87), Tom Barrass (16, 79), Liam Duggan (14, 76), Josh Rotham (19, 74), Harry Edwards (10, 68), Sam Petrevski-Seton (13, 63), Tom Cole (22, 55), Jackson Nelson (18, 52)
The top-ups: Luke Foley (6, 50), Rhett Bazzo (0, 0), Campbell Chesser (0, 0)
MICK SAYS
When we talk about team defence, the Eagles performed miserably in 2021. For a group so talented – granted, there were some injuries to key personnel – coach Adam Simpson would have been disappointed in his post-season review. West Coast ranked 17th in the competition for opposition scores per inside-50 and 14th for points against. Do the older players, who are still the Eagles’ best players, still put a high price on defensive actions and conform to defensive structures as well as they used to? Jeremy McGovern, Tom Barrass and Josh Rotham are as talented a trio of defenders as there is in the competition and must lead the way with their effort this season. If recruit Sam Petevski-Seton is deployed down back, he will need to defend better than he did in his Carlton days.
13. HAWTHORN
The top-liners: Blake Hardwick (20 Games in 2021, 91 Average SuperCoach Score), Jarman Impey (13, 91), Changkuoth Jiath (16, 84), Jack Scrimshaw (20, 84), Lachlan Bramble (10, 76), Sam Frost (22, 67), Kyle Hartigan (19, 49), James Sicily (0, 0)
The top-ups: Will Day (5, 79), Denver Grainger-Barras (5, 42)
MICK SAYS
The Hawks’ best defender, James Sicily, is set to return from a knee reconstruction. The question is, where will new coach Sam Mitchell play him? I’d imagine he slots straight back into defence, where he brings aerial supremacy, a competitive edge and class. Sicily complements Kyle Hartigan and Sam Frost and adds further support around Jack Scrimshaw, Changkuoth Jiath, Blake Hardwick and Jarman Impey. Will Day and Denver Grainger-Barras each only played five games last season but are the future of this backline and are already playing beyond their years. Both have cool heads, see the game in front of them really well and are good ball users coming out of the backline, which is vital in the modern game.
14. CARLTON
The top-liners: Sam Docherty (14 Games in 2021, 98 Average SuperCoach Score), Jacob Weitering (22, 94), Nic Newman (14, 88), Zac Williams (14, 85), Adam Saad (22, 83), George Hewett (20, 73), Liam Stocker (17, 58), Lachie Plowman (19, 54), Lewis Young (7, 61), Tom Williamson (11, 45), Caleb Marchbank (0, 0)
The top-ups: Luke Parks (6, 37), Brodie Kemp (2, 36), Domanic Akuei (0, 0), Jordan Boyd (0, 0)
MICK SAYS
Jacob Weitering is a star. He is the Blues’ defensive pillar who gives great strength and leadership to their backline. The big question on everyone’s lips is who replaces Liam Jones? It’s over to you, Oscar McDonald and Lewis Young. One of those two players has to step up and be a constant to support Weitering. Forward Mitch McGovern looks set for a move to defence this year and will be given the chance to rejuvenate his career and put his athleticism and marking ability on show. Zac Williams needs to play in defence and forget about becoming a full-time midfielder. He can rotate through the middle on occasion, but has to start as part of the back-six where he complements Adam Saad as another run and rebound option off halfback. Caleb Marchbank’s has been sorely missed due to injury and his return could force out Lachie Plowman, who plays much better on smalls than talls. The Blues would be better served by using Sam Docherty on a wing than in defence.
15. COLLINGWOOD
The top-liners: Jack Crisp (22 Games in 2021, 105 Average SuperCoach Score), Brayden Maynard (22, 92), Darcy Moore (13, 90), Jeremy Howe (8, 79), Isaac Quaynor (20, 75), Jordan Roughead (21, 72), John Noble (22, 70), Jack Madgen (18, 67), Trey Ruscoe (9, 48)
The top-ups: Mark Keane (4, 55), Nathan Kreuger (2, 52), Tom Wilson (4, 41), Will Kelly (2, 22), Isaac Chugg (0, 0), Charlie Dean (0, 0)
MICK SAYS
Darcy Moore is the key for Collingwood if they intend to rise up the ladder this year. He is the Magpies’ defensive barometer and must have another All-Australian season, just as he did in 2020 before a knee injury prematurely ended his campaign last year. You need super competitors in defence, of which Moore is one. But overall last season, Collingwood was not as strong in the one-on-one contests and it hurt the team. Moore, Jeremy Howe and Brayden Maynard have a great understanding of each other’s strengths and assist each other when one is vulnerable. Untried 20-year-old rookie Charlie Dean is in the mix to replace Jordan Roughead (shoulder) in the early part of the season after some strong form in match practice. I hope new coach Craig McRae resists any urge to play Maynard through the middle. He gives the team a hard edge at the defensive end of the ground. I would instead give Jack Crisp greater time through the middle, allowing Scott Pendlebury to bring his ball use and experience to halfback. Pendlebury’s move there will also help Isaac Quaynor further grow as a player. John Noble can play on a wing but is best served as a small defender. Is there a regular spot for Jack Madgen? Without injuries, probably not.
16. GOLD COAST
The top-liners: Jack Bowes (19 Games in 2021, 83 Average SuperCoach Score), Wil Powell (22, 82), Jack Lukosius (22, 81), Oleg Markov (17, 76), Sam Collins (19, 73), Charlie Ballard (21, 70), Sean Lemmens (21, 52), Jy Farrar (10, 56), Caleb Graham (12, 44), Rory Thompson (0, 0)
The top-ups: Connor Budarick (2, 62), Sandy Brock (0, 0), Jez McLennan (0, 0), Rhys Nicholls (0, 0)
MICK SAYS
What version of the Suns’ defence are we going to see in 2022? What coach Stewart Dew needs is complete buy in from every player, every week – which we are yet to see. If Gold Coast wants to be a finals contender, their attitude to defence must change. The work players do without the ball tells you a lot about them, their team values and what price they are prepared to place on defence. When they are on song, the Suns are good to watch. But when they are not, they become easy beats of the competition. To lose five games by 60 or more points last year is not good enough. You have to be honest with yourself. Is it workrate? Is it application to role in spatial defence? Is the team littered with ball watchers? Because the talent is there.
17. ADELAIDE
The top-liners: Jordan Dawson (22 Games in 2021, 101 Average SuperCoach Score), Tom Doedee (21, 85), Brodie Smith (21, 84), Luke Brown (11, 60), Jordon Butts (22, 57), Andrew McPherson (16, 57), Nick Murray (10, 57), Chayce Jones (14, 50), Will Hamill (17, 43)
The top-ups: Ben Davis (4, 42), Mitchell Hinge (1, 31), Josh Worrell (1, 13), James Borlase (0, 0), Fischer Mcasey (0, 0), Wayne Milera (0, 0), Patrick Parnell (0, 0)
MICK SAYS
Does this group ball watch? Do they get caught off-side? Do they lose opposition players in dangerous positions? There’s no doubt Crows coach Matthew Nicks wold have had behind the goals vision working overtime over the summer to determine why Adelaide was the worst team in the competition at defending turnovers last season. The positive for the Crows last season was that they were able to improve their forward half pressure, which helped protect their defence a little. Jordan Dawson is an outstanding recruit and if he plays as part of the back half he will provide great ball use which will help guard against creating turnovers. Dawson will clearly complement Brodie Smith, Luke Brown, Will Hamill, Tom Doedee and last season’s revelation, Jordon Butts. I don’t mind the change of role for Chayce Jones, too.
18. NORTH MELBOURNE
The top-liners: Jack Ziebell (21 Games in 2021, 108 Average SuperCoach Score), Aaron Hall (20, 105), Aidan Corr (2, 81), Ben McKay (22, 56), Josh Walker (21, 56), Atu Bosenavulagi (7, 54), Lachie Young (13, 54), Aiden Bonar (10, 53), Kayne Turner (22, 49)
The top-ups: Kyron Hayden (3, 29), Jackson Archer (0, 0), Miller Bergman (0, 0), Matt McGuinness (0, 0), Flynn Perez (0, 0), Patrick Walker (0, 0)
MICK SAYS
Even though Robbie Tarrant only played 10 games last season, he will be sorely missed by the Kangaroos. Ben McKay, Josh Walker and Aiden Corr (two games last year) will have to shoulder the responsibility as the tall defenders. Jack Ziebell, Aaron Hall, Kayne Turner and Aiden Bonar must continually challenge each other to be hard to play against. Coach David Noble needs to challenge this group to be more focused on becoming a miserly backline. They definitely need more consistency when it comes to their defensive actions. As a team, North need to work on reducing opposition scores from turnovers, stoppages and points per inside-50. And those require not only the back six doing their jobs but a full-ground team defence with 18 players buying in at any given time. Watching the Kangaroos last year, not everyone was on the same page. On the back of another pre-season to educate, hopefully we see that change.
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