Every AFL team’s backline ranked: Part 3

The Lions' unwavering wall of defence in the home and away season, as well as it being a key component to the premiership win, is why the Lions claim yet another top spot in our 18-1 rankings series.

Brisbane conceded the second-least amount of points per game during the home and away season and relented just 11 points more than the top-ranked Western Bulldogs.

The Lions have a deep pool of weapons to boot with their defensive tactics, headlined by co-captain Harris Andrews.

Andrews lost just 14.3 per cent of defensive one-on-one contests, ranked sixth out of all key defenders in the league. As a unit, the Lions also average the third-best defensive one-on-one contest win-loss ratio, losing just 23.5 per cent of the time.

Jack Payne became a solid partner with Andrews in 2024 too, averaging 5.6 marks from his 18 appearances. Tom Doedee's return from an ACL tear is imminent and if he can reach the heights of his Adelaide days, his impact will be influential in Brisbane's flag defence.

Brandon Starcevich is a lockdown small too, with his negation of Tom Papley in the grand final evidence of his growth as a player.

As for star players that can kickstart attacks off the halfback line, veteran Dayne Zorko will remain impactful with his deadeye disposal, as will Keidean Coleman, who was poised for a monster year last year after his 2023 finals performance, before he was cruelled with an ACL tear in Opening Round.

Ryan Lester played 23 games in 2024 but may be on the outer now given Brisbane's wealth of depth, while youngsters Shadeau Brain and Luke Beecken are young players on the fringe.

Conor McKenna, Darragh Joyce and Noah Answerth are some more experienced options to add to the mix, while Darcy Wilmot could rotate through halfback and the wing after forging a place in the premiership side.

Brisbane are stacked across all three lines of the field, however, the defensive unit may be the best in the team. Chris Fagan will be able to dip into youth or experience when he sees fit, as well as have reliable stars share the load, in what the club hopes will be one of the top defences in the league again in 2025, and perhaps the key to guarding their premiership title.