MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 09: Kade Simpson of the Blues and Neville Jetta of the Demons compete for the ball during the 2017 AFL round 16 match between the Carlton Blues and the Melbourne Demons at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 09, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media/Getty Images)

AFL’s leading statistics providers, Champion Data, have once again released their defence ratings for the 2018 season.

With Champion Data ranking each teams defence into two categories, general defenders and key defenders, it appears that Champion Data sees Melbourne's defence as the most well-rounded backline in 2018.

Melbourne ranks third in key defenders, boasting Tom McDonald (elite) and new recruit Jake Lever (elite), whilst also ranking fourth in general defenders with Jayden Hunt (elite) and Neville Jetta, Michael Hibberd, Angus Brayshaw all rated above average.

Geelong ranks first in the key defender category, even though Champion Data believes that Geelong only has two genuine key defenders listed, Lachie Henderson (above average) and Ryan Gardner who hasn't played a game which means he doesn't receive a rating.

This is largely due Champion Data gauging Harry Taylor as a key forward which has severely skewed the rankings.

With Champion Data already revealing that the Sydney Swans have the best engine room in the competition, they also have revealed that they also have the second best key defenders in the league and the fifth best general defenders.

Key defender Dane Rampe is rated elite, whilst other key defenders Lewis Melican and Aliir Aliir are rated above average.

Veteran key defender Heath Grundy is rated average. General defenders Nic Smith (average), Jarrad McVeigh (above average), Jake Llyold (above average), Callum Mills (above average) all contribute to Sydney's general defenders ranking.

Port Adelaide have the best general defenders in the league, boasting the likes of Jasper Pittard, Hamish Hartlett and Darcy Byrne Jones who are all ranked average to above average.

Cross town rivals Adelaide have the second best general defenders in the league whilst also having the seventh best key defenders.

Reigning premiers Richmond have the fourth best key defenders, with Alex Rance (elite) and David Astbury (average), while interestingly only having the 14th best ranked general general defenders despite having Brandon Ellis, Bachar Houli and Nick Vlaustin being rated as above average.

Fremantle have the worst ranked key and general defenders in the competition, with only one defender, Nathan Wilson (above average) being classified as their only defender to be ranked higher then average.

Champion Data’s general defenders ratings for the 2018 season

  1. Port Adelaide
  2. Adelaide
  3. Western Bulldogs
  4. Melbourne
  5. Sydney
  6. Essendon
  7. St Kilda
  8. Collingwood
  9. GWS
  10. West Coast
  11. Geelong
  12. Hawthorn
  13. Kangaroos
  14. Richmond
  15. Carlton
  16. Brisbane
  17. Gold Coast
  18. Fremantle

Champion Data’s key defenders ratings for the 2018 season

  1. Geelong
  2. Sydney
  3. Melbourne
  4. Richmond
  5. Kangaroos
  6. West Coast
  7. Adelaide
  8. Western Bulldogs
  9. Collingwood
  10. GWS
  11. Essendon
  12. Brisbane
  13. Carlton
  14. Gold Coast
  15. St Kilda
  16. Port Adelaide
  17. Hawthorn
  18. Fremantle