AFL 2023: Mick McGuane ranks every defence 1 to 18

They say forwards sell memberships, midfielders get sponsorships, but defenders win premierships. Mick McGuane ranks every AFL defence here. Do you agree with his list? Have your say.

Tom Stewart and the Geelong defence played a key role in the Cats’ 2022 premiership. Picture: Getty Images

If you don’t have a rock-solid defence, you are not going to win an AFL premiership.

Over the past decade, every flag winning side has ranked top-six for average points against.

Dig a little deeper and you’ll find that nine out of 10 teams to have tasted ultimate success have also ranked top-six for opposition scores per inside 50.

Last year’s premier — Geelong — ranked third in both these categories last year.

Strong player availability helped the Cats, who had eight defenders play 20 or more games.

That builds trust and cohesion, but it also takes a strong defensive structure which Geelong has mastered over recent years.

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 around the stoppages.

Agree? Disagree? Cast your votes and comment below to have your say.