Every AFL team’s backline ranked: Part 2

The Swans own a well-balanced defence and ranked seventh for points against in 2024.

Had Sydney not endured a tough stretch towards the end of the season, they likely would've claimed a spot in the top five for the least points conceded as well.

What holds the Swans out of entering the top six of our rankings however is their abundance of untried talent beyond their core defenders.

Jake Lloyd, Tom McCartin, Dane Rampe, Callum Mills, Lewis Melican, Nick Blakey and Oliver Florent are all familiar names and are fantastic in their role, whether it be major or not. These seven were influential in the 2024 runners-up campaign, save for Mills who managed just the seven games, although he'll undoubtedly respond in 2025.

For depth though, the Swans have Patrick Snell, Blake Leidler, Riley Bice, and Riak Andrew on their list - all of which are uncapped at AFL level.

2023 and 2024 recruits Aaron Francis and Ben Paton will likely remain fringe options, while Harry Cunningham will be an interesting call after the 31-year-old played in 23 of a possible 26 games last year.

If the Swans have one, maybe two, unavailabilities throughout the season, they can manage and maintain their lockdown defence, but should the Swans' backline be ravaged with unavailabilities, they may have to rely on raw talents to attempt to fill the void.

If they stay fortunate with health and away from the tribunal though, Sydney's backline has the core talent to take them back into finals, and potentially premiership contention.