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.
5Collingwood
The Pies ranked first for points against, but their haphazard nature wasn't enough to see them top the list.
Albeit dominant for most of 2025, Collingwood failed when it mattered most, which could be explained by several factors.
Skipper Darcy Moore had many moments throughout the campaign and was largely consistent, while injuries to starters Billy Frampton and Jeremy Howe tested the resilience of the group.
The Josh Daicos switch to defence was a masterstroke, although it displaced the likes of Harry Perryman and Dan Houston, with the latter eventually forced to a wing.
Brayden Maynard and Isaac Quaynor were instrumental due to their versatility, playing on different players and in multiple positions, but they were heavily relied upon.
But as the year suggested, the Pies don't bat deep enough in defence, and when injuries started to mount, they struggled.
