SANFL Top 10 in 2025 – Defenders

The best Hostplus SANFL League performers in 2025 are being unveiled through the SANFL Top 10 rankings.

SANFL Media Producer Zac Milbank will reveal his high performing midfielders, rucks, forwards and defenders now that the dust has settled on this year’s exciting campaign.

Form across the 2025 season was used as the chief factor in the ranking process, with selection in The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year and West End State team weighing heavily, together with placings in the Magarey Medal, Shearman Medal, Club best-and-fairest awards and strong performances in finals matches.

High rankings in statistics such as total disposals, marks, contested marks, goals, clearances and tackles were also taken into account, along with Champion Data ranking points.

Find out who were the most influential defenders in 2025.

Woodville-West Torrens’ dashing defender Max Beattie has transformed himself into one of the most damaging distributors in the competition. 

Originally making a name for himself as a creative forward, the 21-year-old made an impact at half-back, averaging 20.6 disposals at 91 per cent efficiency, together with five marks.

And it seems he’s creating a significant impression internally, placing fourth in the Eagles’ Club Champion award for 2025.

It was somewhat fitting that Max Proud’s last act as a Glenelg footballer was putting his body on the line. 

The Bays’ 2023 premiership skipper suffered broken ribs and a punctured lung in the Preliminary Final, forcing him to miss the title-decider after recovering for several days in hospital.

Placing seventh in the Tigers’ Club Champion award, Proud posted averages of 17.5 disposals (at 89 per cent efficiency) and 7.4 marks in his final campaign after 210 matches and three premierships.

Flynn Perez certainly saved his best to last as he charged into the top 10 defenders list for season 2025. 

Averaging 19.5 possessions at 91 per cent disposal efficiency, together with 7.4 marks, Perez was a huge contributor to the Double Blues’ success in the Second Semi and Grand Finals.

The former North Melbourne half-back – who was selected in the West End State team against the VFL – was among the vote-getters in the Jack Oatey Medal as he tallied 22 disposals, nine marks and six tackles in the title-decider.

One of the best in the competition at reading the flight of the ball, Montgomerie averaged seven marks a game in 2025 to go with 16 disposals at 84 per cent efficiency.

Earning his second selection in The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year, in the back pocket, the 25-year-old also featured in the West End State team for the first time, against the WAFL.

Placing eighth in the Norm Russell Medal as the Bulldogs’ best-and-fairest, Montgomerie celebrated with enthusiasm after kicking the 2nd goal of his 68-game career in Round 13.

Adelaide’s SANFL captain was been the rock of his team’s defence in 2025, continually quelling the opposition’s best forwards while also directing traffic in the defensive 50m arc.

The 32-year-old averaged 14 disposals and five marks to earn his debut berth in The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year, at full back.

Now set to coach Richmond’s VFL team in 2026 after announcing his retirement, Madgen’s leadership was sorely missed by the Crows during the major round as he was sidelined by a hip injury.

One of the biggest improvers in the Hostplus SANFL League, Sturt’s Zac Becker was a vital cog in his team’s premiership success. 

Featuring in all 20 of the Double Blues’ outings this season, the 22-year-old was very highly-rated at Unley as he placed second in the P.T Morton Medal behind Magarey Medallist Tom Lewis.

Attracting the attention of AFL scouts, the athletic Becker – who earned the nickname Boom Boom for his massive kicks – averaged 16 disposals at 91 per cent efficiency whilst also hauling in seven marks per game.

Norwood’s Mr Reliable has enjoyed a career-best campaign, averaging 17 disposals at 97 per cent efficiency while also hauling in 7.7 marks per game.

The long-kicking left-footer not only displayed great courage while regularly hauling in intercept marks, he made an impact as a makeshift forward in the latter part of the minor round.

Earning his first selection in The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year, in the back pocket, the 30-year-old placed fourth in the Michael Taylor Medal for the Legs’ best-and-fairest whilst also winning the Woods Medal as most dedicated player.

There are few backmen in the competition who can defend tall and small opponents with equal effectiveness. 

But Sturt’s Will Coomblas fits the bill as he proved yet again in 2025 while earning selection in the back pocket of The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year for the second season in succession.

Appearing in both of the West End State team’s matches this year, Coomblas was rewarded with joint vice-captaincy for the Croweaters.

Averaging 15 disposals and more than five marks per game in 2025, Sturt’s No.22 placed equal seventh in the club’s best-and-fairest count while playing a key role in the club’s premiership success.

The Bays’ triple premiership defender was Glenelg’s most consistent campaigner in 2025, averaging 20 disposals and six marks.

Earning his first selection in The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year, the 27-year-old also made his first appearance for the West End State team this season as he featured in both contests against the VFL and WAFL.

The Tigers’ No.2 was a fitting winner of his first John H. Ellers Trophy as Glenelg’s best and fairest, finishing ahead of teammate Jarryd Lyons.

The most attacking defender in the competition, Voss provided an abundance of drive from defence in 2025 whilst averaging 22 disposals, nine marks and five rebound 50s.

Selected at half-back of The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year, the 24-year-old enjoyed a memorable moment in Round 9 when his crafty soccer goal sealed a dramatic come-from-behind win against the Redlegs.

Placing third in the P.T Morton Medal count for Sturt’s best-and-fairest, Voss was not only a line-breaker with the ball but also an integral leader in the Double Blues’ premiership backline whilst leading the competition for total marks.

The 2023 Fos Williams Medallist also featured in the West End State team against the WAFL.