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.
1Brisbane
It may be a safe bet, but Brisbane's defence should be lauded more so.
Harris Andrews, a two-time premiership captain, is quickly becoming a generational defender in a unique period of football.
Veteran Dayne Zorko's precision kicking and leadership ranks among the best in the league, and plays the perfect foil for emerging youngsters Darcy Wilmot and Jaspa Fletcher.
Ryan Lester and Darcy Gardiner's ability to persevere through form troubles and injury woes throughout the years adds to their heroics in 2025.
The departed Brandon Starcevich shouldn't also be underestimated, although he missed large chunks of football due to concussion. Starcevich was crucial in stopping multiple small forwards.
But what places Brisbane ahead of the rest is their depth, and the players' ability to feature in multiple roles.
The Lions were without Keidean Coleman, Jack Payne, Noah Answerth and Tom Doedee, who are all deemed first stringers, for most of the year.
And not only did they fill key roles, but those who filled them excelled, and have given the club a chance to achieve a three-peat.
