Brendon Goddard ranks every AFL defence from best to worst

Richmond’s premiership backline is only going to get better with the return of five-time All-Australian Alex Rance. Can anyone rival the Tigers for defensive talent? Brendon Goddard ranks every team from 1-18.

Richmond lost arguably the AFL’s best defender at the start of 2019, yet still emerged with a watertight backline and a premiership cup.

Former St Kilda and Essendon star Brendon Goddard believes the reigning premier has “everything you want in a defence” as they prepare to welcome Rance back in 2020.

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He’s also bullish about this year’s other finalists, but has big concerns about the backlines of Fremantle and Gold Coast.

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Goddard says: The Tigers did nothing during the trade period, but still find themselves with the biggest recruit of 2020 in the form of Rance. The five-time All-Australian went down with an ACL injury in Round 1 last season but will be ready to slot straight back into defence in 2020 which will only make the backline of the reigning premiers even stronger. The Tigers already have everything you want in a defence – they’re great one-on-one, they sag off well and provide aerial support and they have attacking half-backs. In terms of structure and balance, they are a clear No.1 in the competition.

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Goddard says: The Cats are a great intercept marking team and the strength of their defence is shown by the fact they ranked second for scores against last season. If anything, they might lack a second quality ball user alongside Tuohy. But my main concern is when Blicavs is taken out of the backline to go into the ruck, as he was during finals last season. The backline simply does not look remotely as strong a unit when he’s not there.

Goddard says: One of the better intercept marking teams in the competition, led by McGovern who ranked No. 2 in that stat across the competition. Barrass and Sheppard are more than handy sidekicks, while Schofield consistently plays a role to allow McGovern to drop off his opponent and do what he does. Completing the well-balanced line-up, Hurn and Jetta are two of the best ball users in the competition off halfback.

Goddard says: What stood out at the back end of last season was the Magpies’ high halfbacks and the impact the likes of Crisp and Maynard were able to have. The addition of Roughead last season further added to the great flexibility the backline has, while Moore is a potential All-Australian if he can stay fit. The return of Langdon next season should also prove a massive boost.

Goddard says: Things unravelled a bit in the Grand Final, but before that the Giants’ defence had been rock solid during their finals series. Davis and Haynes ranked No. 1 and No. 3 in the competition for intercept marks respectively. Davis is ever-reliable and Haynes will be a back-to-back All-Australian in 2020, mark my words. Shaw provides an experienced head and Williams is damaging by foot off halfback. Can Keefe find a permanent position as a key defender in 2020?

Goddard says: A solid line-up led by 2019 All-Australian fullback Harris Andrews. Adams does a great job as an undersized key defender, while Rich remains a damaging halfback. Hawthorn recruit Birchall replaces the retired Luke Hodge as a wise old head, good decision maker and good ball user if he can get his body right having played just eight AFL games in three years.

Goddard says: Averaged the sixth-fewest points against in the last eight weeks of the season. Adelaide recruit Keath comes in to hold down a key post alongside Cordy, while captain Wood can play taller than he is and provides great leadership. The Bulldogs have great flexibility and their ball use off halfback is a particular strength with the likes of Johannisen, Daniel and Suckling.

Goddard says: The pair of veteran key position players in Hurley and Hooker have long been a strong foundation for the Bombers’ backline. The emergence of Redman and McKenna last year was a major positive and Saad showed in the last eight weeks of the season that he is well and truly one of the most damaging players in the competition off halfback. Ambrose consistently plays a role and a fit Gleeson would add some nice flexibility.

Goddard says: It might not look as good on paper as some other defences, but you have to respect a group that still conceded the eighth-fewest points of any team last season. The Power have a reliable defence with the likes of Houston, Jonas and Burton. Byrne-Jones is coming off a very consistent 2019 season. Will Jack Watts return to fitness and find a permanent spot down back in 2020?

Goddard says: A pretty steady line-up with the experienced heads of Stratton, Frawley and Burgoyne. Melbourne recruit Frost comes in and provides depth in the key position posts. Hardwick is a great small defender who takes the opposition’s best small forward each week. But Sicily is the centrepiece to it all with his intercept marking and ball-winning ability.

Goddard says: The Crows backline has lost Jake Lever (Melbourne) and Alex Keath (Western Bulldogs) over the past two years but otherwise hasn’t changed a lot since the 2017 Grand Final. There’s still talent and experience in the form of Talia, Smith and Laird. Doedee’s return from an ACL injury will make a difference and Milera is a great ball user off half-back. It’s a pretty solid defence, but the loss of Keath does hurt.

Goddard says: Liam Jones back for a full season at halfback will certainly help the Blues, as will the return of co-captain Sam Docherty from two ACL injuries which have seen him sidelined since 2017. I expect Weitering to take his game to the next level in his fifth season at AFL level. Newman has a breakout season in 2019, while the ageless Simpson continues to control things as the backline general at age 35. The Blues’ defence looks to be largely set for the next five years.

Goddard says: Gold Coast was the only side to concede more points than the Demons last season. However, there is upside for Melbourne. May, Lever and Jetta managed just 23 of a possible 66 games between them last season. A fully-fit May will help a lot and I expect Lever to play more as an key defender than an interceptor. There’s still good leg speed off half-back through Hibberd, Salem and one of the best lockdown small defenders in the game in Jetta. However, the loss of Sam Frost to Hawthorn does weaken the depth.

Goddard says: The story would be if Daw can return to the game and get back to his form of 2018, which the Kangaroos desperately need given the retirement of fellow key-position post Scott Thompson. What a great story that would be. Tarrant remains the No.1 key defender and is coming off a very strong 2019 season, while the Roos still have good leg speed out of defence through Atley, Pittard and Williams.

Goddard says: Can Port Adelaide recruit Howard blossom into the player the Saints hope and can Carlisle return to fitness and wind back the clock? They are the big questions. The development of Clark last season was a real positive while captain Geary will be keen to stay on the park after injury cut short his 2019 season. The likely return of a healthy Roberton from a heart condition would also be huge.

Goddard says: Swans co-captain and 2016 All-Australian Rampe is a star, but Sydney is crying out for someone to step up and become that second key defender. Aliir and Melican need to step up and do more. The positive last season was the development of Dawson, while Lloyd continues to shine and Mills is proving to be a great young player.

Goddard says: On paper, the Dockers’ defensive group doesn’t look too bad but they are coming off an injury-riddled 2019 season and there are some holes. Pearce, Ryan, Wilson and Hamling are all solid players, but Fremantle appears to lack the quality ball users off halfback. Hopefully Collingwood recruit Aish can help in that area.

Goddard says: The Suns’ defence conceded an average of 101 points a game last season – the most of any side. Getting Collins and Thompson back from injury should help after the key position pair managed just nine games between them. Hombsch competes well, albeit often undersized. I expect to see Lukosius spend more time down back after finishing in defence last season. The Suns’ ball use off halfback is far from their biggest issue, with Weller and Harbrow both class players.

Originally published as Brendon Goddard ranks every AFL defence from best to worst