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.
15. West Coast
Defenders: Liam Baker, Brandon Starcevich, Josh Lindsay, Reuben Ginbey, Liam Duggan, Tylar Young, Tom McCarthy, Marcus Herbert, Brady Hough, Ryan Maric, Lucca Grego, Rhett Bazzo, Fred Rodriguez, Harry Edwards, Sandy Brock, Tyrell Dewar, Jake Miles-Wrency, Trent Rivers
The Eagles have plenty of options when it comes to their defensive positions.
West Coast has strong key defensive pillars in star Reuben Ginbey, and the emerging Rhett Bazzo and Harry Edwards (if he can recover from his concussion issues).
The Eagles have distributors off halfback in the clean and tough Marcus Herbert and the speedy Tom McCarthy, while Brady Hough can perform shutdown roles on players big or small anywhere across the ground.
In terms of premiership experience and playing in high quality backlines they have the likes of Liam Baker, Brandon Starcevich and Trent Rivers.
The quality is there, it is just about coach Andrew McQualter proving he has the tactical nous to make this team a difficult defensive opponent.
The Eagles nearly moved into 14th place on this list, and could easily go higher in 2027, but they need a better defensive system to maximise their talent and keep them in games.
West Coast had more than 100 points kicked against it on nine occasions this season, with two 100-point blow out losses. With this quality of backline, that can't keep happening in 2027 or McQualter will be gone.
