From leaping spoils to saving goals, the defensive roles aren't as flashy as further up the field.
The backline is the last group to receive recognition, but that doesn't mean its significance is diminished. More often than not, it's the stoppers, the restrictors and the defenders who win flags, and this list accurately reflects that.
Clubs that stormed into premiership contention were off the back of defensive improvement, while others doubled down on their standing in the competition.
At Zero Hanger, we've undertaken the challenge of ranking every club's backline from 1-18 for 2025.
6Fremantle
The Dockers have always been lauded for their defensive output under coach Justin Longmuir, and that didn't stop in 2025.
Fremantle's backline, led by captain Alex Pearce, was hard to ignore this year, as their rock-solid rearguard proved difficult to deal with.
Brennan Cox and Luke Ryan played important roles, as did Heath Chapman and Karl Worner, whose versatility was critical in games.
Jordan Clark's All-Australian nod was accurate, given his incredible bounce from the backline, transitioning the ball with ease.
The Dockers have also started developing important depth in their list, with Josh Draper and Oscar McDonald playing crucial minutes throughout the year, despite spending large chunks of the season outside the senior team.
Longmuir's defence was largely settled, and was reflected in their performance.
