2025 AFL Player Statistics

Versatile Cat, Power stopper on top, worry for Demons defenders: AFL’s best and worst defensive one-on-one players revealed

This year’s best and worst 1v1 stoppers👇

Published by
Mitch Keating

Geelong utility Sam De Koning has built a strong case to remain in defence under Chris Scott given his efforts as a one-on-one backman this year, with Port Adelaide's Lachie Jones another who has managed a faultless record this year as a matchup stopper.

Both De Koning and Jones are yet to register a contested defensive one-on-one loss in 2025 from their 15 and 10 contests respectively.

De Koning has returned to Scott's rearguard after starting the season as the Cats' first-string ruck option, with Geelong going with Rhys Stanley or Mark Blicavs since Round 4.

Since Round 5, De Koning has recorded nine of his 15 contested defensive one-on-ones, continuing a perfect record after his opening six contests were either negated or won by the premiership Cat.

Jones has recorded at least one contested defensive one-on-one contest in six of his eight games this year, with a season-high four coming in Round 2 against Richmond. Like De Koning, Jones hasn't lost a single one of those contests to start 2025.

Renowned GWS stopper Sam Taylor sits just behind Jones and De Koning, having only lost one of his 24 contested defensive one-on-ones, good for a rating of 4.2%.

Of the players to have recorded at least 10 contested defensive one-on-one contests this year, Carlton's Jack Silvagni, Brisbane's Ryan Lester and Richmond ruckman Toby Nankervis are the next best, all tied at 9.1%.

Nankervis is the only full-time ruckman to feature on the list, showing his value as an asset who can position himself behind the ball as a lockdown or intercept option.

Among those to have recorded a minimum of 10 contested defensive one-on-one contests, Melbourne's Tom McDonald has recorded the most at 31 for the year, however has a loss rating of 22.6%.

His teammate Harrison Petty has the highest loss rating at 54.5%, with Fremantle's Luke Ryan (53.8) and Essendon's Jaxon Prior (50.0) also among the worst-rated defenders, having lost at least half of their contests.

AFL's best defensive one-on-one stoppers

Contested Defensive 1v1s Contested Defensive 1v1 Losses
Contested Defensive 1v1 Loss %
Sam De Koning 15 0 0.0
Lachlan Jones 10 0 0.0
Sam Taylor 24 1 4.2
Jack Silvagni 22 2 9.1
Ryan Lester 11 1 9.1
Toby Nankervis 11 1 9.1
Jack Henry 10 1 10.0
Darcy Moore 28 3 10.7
Jacob Weitering 18 2 11.1
Jack Buckley 25 3 12.0
James Sicily 24 3 12.5
Zach Reid 21 3 14.3
Miles Bergman 14 2 14.3
Charlie Comben 26 4 15.4
Jack Payne 26 4 15.4
Jeremy Howe 13 2 15.4
Callum Wilkie 24 4 16.7
Dane Rampe 12 2 16.7
Mac Andrew 17 3 17.6
Andrew McGrath 11 2 18.2
Ben McKay 25 5 20.0
Tom Barrass 15 3 20.0
Josh Battle 15 3 20.0
Rory Lobb 15 3 20.0
Ben Miller 29 6 20.7
Josh Worrell 19 4 21.1
Esava Ratugolea 28 6 21.4
Brennan Cox 23 5 21.7
Connor Idun 18 4 22.2
Tom McDonald 31 7 22.6
Nick Haynes 13 3 23.1
Jeremy McGovern 13 3 23.1
Sam Collins 21 5 23.8
Wil Powell 12 3 25.0
Harris Andrews 27 7 25.9
Nathan Broad 19 5 26.3
Nick Blakey 11 3 27.3
Harrison Himmelberg 17 5 29.4
Luke McDonald 13 4 30.8
Tom McCartin 16 5 31.3
Joel Hamling 19 6 31.6
Steven May 19 6 31.6
Bodhi Uwland 19 6 31.6
Mark Keane 22 7 31.8
Connor O'Sullivan 22 7 31.8
Aliir Aliir 28 9 32.1
Zach Guthrie 15 5 33.3
Alex Pearce 23 8 34.8
Reuben Ginbey 17 6 35.3
James O'Donnell 13 5 38.5
Harry Edwards 23 9 39.1
Luke Cleary 10 4 40.0
Aidan Corr 17 7 41.2
Billy Frampton 11 5 45.5
Jaxon Prior 10 5 50.0
Luke Ryan 13 7 53.8
Harrison Petty 11 6 54.5

Players ranked by best contested defensive loss rating in 2025 (minimum 10 contested recorded). 

Published by
Mitch Keating