Every AFL club's squad for the 2027 season is coming together, so how does each team's back, midfield and forward line stack up with their rivals?
We at Zero Hanger will be going through all 18 clubs analysing and ranking them 1-18 across all three thirds of the ground, starting with the backline.
While the draft, delisted free agent signing period and trial spots remain for clubs to recruit players, the majority of each team's starting 23 are in place.
Focusing on the players at their disposal, their style of football in 2026, and with a look forward to Round 1, 2027, this is how we ranked every club 1-18 for its defence.
5. Adelaide
Defenders: Nick Murray, Mark Keane, Josh Worrell, Max Michalanney, Mitchell Hinge, Hugh Bond, Oscar Ryan, Rory Laird, Luke Nankervis, Wayne Milera, Indy Cotton, James Borlase, Hugo Hall-Kahan
The battle between Adelaide and Collingwood for fifth spot is nearly a toss of a coin.
The Crows have lost a solid part of their key defensive depth this off-season with Butts heading to The Kennel.
However, Matthew Nicks' men were a strong defensive unit in 2026 and did so with some of their guns not playing to their best in Max Michalanney and Mitch Hinge.
Michalanney's development as a gun mid-sized defender surprisingly plateaued, while Hinge could not get into the senior side. Perhaps a sign of the strength of Adelaide's back six.
The Crows finished fifth on the ladder on the edge of the top four and that was mainly due to their defensive capabilities.
Adelaide finished the home-and-away season second in the league for points against, second to only Fremantle.
The likes of Josh Worrell and Mark Keane will continue to star next season, as will maiden All-Australian winner Wayne Milera. Having solid key defenders Nick Murray and James Borlase to lockdown key forwards is always handy as well.
