Breaking your opponent's chain of possession in order to launch a counter-attack with the defensive structure potentially out of position is a key part of defensive strategy for all coaches.
So much so that many of this year's finalists have at least one elite “clean up man” in the back half of their lineup.
In celebration of ECOVACS' new flagship DEEBOT X11 OmniCyclone robotic vacuum officially landing on Australian shores, we've decided to count down the ten clean up leaders of 2025.
NICK VLASTUIN - RICHMOND
164 intercepts in 22 games
The triple premiership defender is still an elite intercept defender, despite getting on in age (31 years old) and the state of play at Punt Road. Suctioning opposition attacking plays, 58 of his 164 intercepts came in the form of marks in the back half of the field, with opponents putting the Richmond defence under immense pressure for most of the season.
ALIIR ALIIR - PORT ADELAIDE
164 intercepts in 22 games
The Power star has developed a reputation for being the most dominant in the air, and usually has a close checker by his side. Aliir's 2025 output was arguably the best of his incredible career, reflected not only by his clean up prowess but also his durability, missing only one game and remaining on the field for an average of 97.4 per cent gametime.
UNMATCHED CLEAN UP EXPERIENCE: ECOVACS DEEBOT X11 OmniCyclone
JACOB WEITERING - CARLTON
167 intercepts in 23 games
The 2024 All-Australian fullback had another stellar year on the last line of defence for the Blues, despite the club missing finals after two consecutive September campaigns. With elite footy IQ putting him in the right positions at the right time, ranking third in the league for intercept marks with 68, Carlton's co-vice captain's form was a highlight in an otherwise forgettable year.
SAM TAYLOR - GWS GIANTS
168 intercepts in 20 games
When the Giant defender was absent, the GWS defensive line looked rudderless. The two-time All-Australian did enough to earn a second blazer in 2025, despite missing some crucial contests. His courage in the air and discipline to remain at the task are reminiscent of ECOVACS' dedication to continual improvement.
JOSH BATTLE - HAWTHORN
168 intercepts in 26 games
After becoming a mainstay in St Kilda's backline over the past few seasons, Josh Battle's move in Free Agency reaped immediate rewards for both new club and player. Alongside fellow free agent defender Tom Barrass and James Sicily - the next man on this list - Battle helped to clean up the Hawks' leaky defence and catapult the club into 2nd in the league for rebound 50s - a metric in which six of the competition's finalists achieved above average results in 2025.
JAMES SICILY - HAWTHORN
171 intercepts in 23 games
The second consecutive Hawk on this list, the versatile Sicily did most of his damage in defence, and was subject to plenty of extra attention from the opposition. However, the Hawthorn captain didn't let outside noise deter him from the job at hand, playing a crucial role in turning defence into attack through clean up and rebound. His lethal kicking and ability to be sent forward enhanced his season, which was reflected by his leadership as the club made it to the penultimate weekend of 2025.
SAM COLLINS - GOLD COAST
179 intercepts in 22 games
The uncompromising and unrelenting Suns full back is the pinnacle of never giving up. Through his unique route to the AFL, Collins plays every game like his life depends on it. His attitude to improving his craft saw his game climb to another level in 2025, ranking amongst the best interceptors in the competition, as well as an impressive one-on-one loss rate (26.5 per cent), making him a key contributor to Gold Coast's maiden finals campaign.
MARK KEANE - ADELAIDE
195 intercepts in 25 games
The Irishman quickly became one of the most improved players in the AFL, showing his tremendous trajectory via development and innovation. ECOVACS, sound familiar?? His not-so-common defensive strategies and boldness to take on the best each week were on display throughout the year, which further highlighted his importance to the Crows, hence why he was rarely taken from the ground, going at an incredible average of 94.4 per cent game time.
JOSH WORRELL - ADELAIDE
201 intercepts in 25 games
Key to Adelaide's defensive resurgence and subsequent minor premiership - and the second Crow on this list - Worrell was the perfect complement to Keane in Matthew Nicks' backline. Assisting all teammates from tall to short, the classy left-footer played the perfect support role. As a result, his versatility - much like ECOVACS' latest robotic vacuum - saw him rank among the best ground-ball defenders in the league, proving that no task was ever too difficult.
HARRIS ANDREWS - BRISBANE
205 intercepts in 27 games
The ‘Lion King' led the competition in intercepts, resulting in a third All-Australian blazer, but more significantly, a second consecutive premiership. Andrews was at the top of his game week in, week out, just like the DEEBOT X11 OmniCyclone. The Lions' co-captain's selfless attitude was also heavily reflected in the amount of one percenters he recorded (229), ranking first in the league by more than 40.
With the top 7 interceptors in the league making September appearances, it's clear that an elite clean up man is a key part of playing - and winning in - finals footy.
Like all of these elite clean up men, the DEEBOT X11 OmniCyclone isn't just a one-trick pony. Leading the way in delivering Cleanliness, Convenience and Intelligence, the ECOVACS DEEBOT X11 OmniCyclone underscores ECOVACS' commitment to enable users to experience an all-around, powerful cleaning performance that addresses every aspect of users' real-life needs.
Xtra Clean, Xtra Convenient, Xtra Intelligent - ECOVACS DEEBOT X11 delivers industry-first PowerBoost fast-charging technology, TruePass Adaptive 4 Wheel Drive Climbing System, enhanced industry-leading Roller Mopping and BLAST suction, and the world's first OmniCyclone Station.
More information on the DEEBOT X11 OmniCyclone can be found HERE.
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