Where does your club’s defence rank?Brendon Goddard
Herald Sun
November 12, 2019 Richmond lost arguably the AFL’s best defender at the start of 2019, yet still emerged with a watertight backline and a premiership cup.
Former St Kilda and Essendon star Brendon Goddard believes the reigning premier has “everything you want in a defence” as they prepare to welcome Rance back in 2020.
1. Richmond
THE TOP-LINERSBachar Houli (22 games in 2019, 106 SuperCoach average), Nick Vlastuin (24, 91), Shane Edwards (24, 87), Sydney Stack (17, 80), Dylan Grimes (24, 74), Liam Baker (19, 70), David Astbury (22, 67), Nathan Broad (24, 52), Jayden Short (15, 65), Alex Rance (1, 36)
THE TOP-UPSRyan Garthwaite (7, 50), Derek Eggmolesse-Smith (2, 62), Ben Miller (0, 0)
Goddard says: The Tigers did nothing during the trade period, but still find themselves with the biggest recruit of 2020 in the form of Rance. The five-time All-Australian went down with an ACL injury in Round 1 last season but will be ready to slot straight back into defence in 2020 which will only make the backline of the reigning premiers even stronger. The Tigers already have everything you want in a defence – they’re great one-on-one, they sag off well and provide aerial support and they have attacking halfbacks. In terms of structure and balance, they are a clear No. 1 in the competition.
2. Geelong
3. West Coast
4. Collingwood
5. GWS
6. Brisbane
7. W.Bulldogs
8. Essendon
9. Port Adelaide
10. Hawthorn
11. Adelaide
12. Carlton
13. Melbourne
14. North Melbourne
15. St Kilda
16. Sydney
17. Fremantle
18. Gold Coast
https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/more-news/brendon-goddard-ranks-every-afl-defence-from-best-to-worst/news-story/e97bf578bb1355bc14a5fdc6f3cd3d14
