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Running It Straight is back!Bickley's Top 10 key defenders in the AFL
SEN • March 4th, 2026 12:56 pm
Mark Bickley has predicted the Top 10 key defenders for season 2026.
This is Bickley’s forecast for the year ahead, listing who he believes will form the top group of key backs who operate deep in the back 50.
“It is the key defenders - the big guys that stand on the best forwards” Bickley said on SEN SA Breakfast.
See his list below:
10. Aliir Aliir (Port Adelaide)
“Finished fifth in their best and fairest last year.”
9. Nick Vlastuin (Richmond)
“This is the only one who is marginal. He’s only 6’3, he’s not a big key, but he has to play tall when he plays at Richmond.
“All-Australian squad last year, finished second in their best and fairest. He is outstanding.”
8. Josh Battle (Hawthorn)
“He made the All-Australian side, and a bit of a hybrid as well. Can play tall, but is really attacking as well.”
7. Nick Blakey (Sydney)
“He’s an All-Australian, didn’t have his best season last year but I just love him as a player.”
6. Callum Wilkie (St Kilda)
“He just gets his job done every week. The last couple of years he’s been up against it, because St Kilda haven’t been a great side.”
5. Sam Collins (Gold Coast)
“He is just a brute. Gives very little away, he is a really good player.”
4. Josh Worrell (Adelaide)
“His intercepting is outstanding but also gets the job done against his opponent. Was one of the best one on one players last year statistically last year and offers some really good attack.”
3. Jacob Weitering (Carlton)
“He has held up the Carlton backline for three or four years. Second in their best and fairest.”
2. Sam Taylor (GWS Giants)
“All-Australian full back last year and has been a great player for a long time.”
1. Harris Andrews (Brisbane)
“All-Australian, fourth in their best and fairest, Premiership player, skipper, leader, does it all.”
