An AFL team’s spine is made up of their primary two key defenders and key forwards as well as their best on-baller.
This is the core of the line-up and a good way to gauge the top-end strength of the side overall.
Some teams have elite key forward pairings like Geelong and Carlton, others have super reliable pillars in defence like Melbourne and Sydney.
We’ve gone through what each team’s best spine looks like on paper heading into the 2023 season and given each a grade out of 10.
FB: Jordon Butts
CHB: Nick Murray
C: Rory Laird
CHF: Taylor Walker
FF: Darcy Fogarty
The key defensive posts at Adelaide are being adequately held down by developing duo Jordon Butts and Nick Murray.
Butts was thrown into the deep end in 2021 and responded by claiming a top-10 best and fairest finish. He followed that up with a solid 2022 campaign in which he played 19 games and formed a strong partnership with Murray.
Rory Laird is the club’s best on-baller as evidenced by his third best and fairest award in 2022 as well as inclusion in the 44-man All-Australian squad. He will be buoyed by the return to full fitness of captain Rory Sloane in 2023.
The Crows’ forward line is now coming together nicely after it appeared to be a little bit toothless in 2021.
Taylor Walker had a superb season in kicking 47 goals and was also in the broader All-Australian squad. He started to form a damaging twosome with Darcy Fogarty who kicked 33 goals this year.
They are becoming a tricky pair for opposing backlines to keep quiet.
Grade: 6/10
Andrew Slevison
FB: Harris Andrews
CHB: Marcus Adams
C: Lachie Neale
CHF: Joe Daniher
FF: Eric Hipwood
Brisbane’s spine has plenty of experience and on paper, looks one of the competition’s best.
While this quartet are all of high quality on an individual level, Brisbane has often struggled up forward and down back in the tall department, whether that’s due to the game plan or the pieces not fitting perfectly together – something has held this group back from dominance.
In the midfield, Lachie Neale is as good as it gets and is the perfect on-baller to suit any spine given his ability to cover the ground and run both ways, but he’s often been a one-man band.
The addition of Josh Dunkley should help remedy this midfield issue, and up forward, Jack Gunston could help Daniher and Hipwood flourish among a group of smalls that are probably the competition’s best.
Down back, Andrews is a consistent performer while Jack Payne and Darcy Gardiner can also fill the second tall role should Marcus Adams continue to struggle with injury and concussion issues.
The Lions will hope several periphery additions help take this spine to a new level.
Grade: 8/10
Lachlan Geleit
FB: Jacob Weitering
CHB: Lewis Young
C: Patrick Cripps
CHF: Charlie Curnow
FF: Harry McKay
Not a whole lot more you could want from an AFL spine and it certainly is the least of Carlton’s problems. Up forward you have the last two Coleman Medal winners in Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay, who compliment each other’s skillsets perfectly.
In the middle you have the reigning Brownlow Medallist who is one of the best centre clearance on-ballers in the competition in Patrick Cripps.
And in defence you have one of the most reliable key defenders in the league in Jacob Weitering, coupled with the 23-year-old Lewis Young, who was one of the club’s breakout players of 2022.
Assuming Young continues to grow into the role, there really is no weak point in Carlton’s spine. Their depth behind the key talls is pretty questionable, but the starters are elite.
Grade: 9/10
Nic Negrepontis
FB: Darcy Moore
CHB: Jeremy Howe
C: Jack Crisp
CHF: Dan McStay
FF: Brodie Mihocek
Collingwood’s spine will look different in 2023 with free agent Dan McStay joining to partner Brody Mihocek up forward.
While the key tall is no superstar, his team-first approach and link play should make him a walk-up starter in Craig McRae’s best 22.
Down back, Darcy Moore is a star but with Jeremy Howe his partner, he was often left to mop up more than his fair share aerially given a lack of height.
While Howe is one of Collingwood’s most important players, the Magpies will hope that Billy Frampton or Charlie Dean earn the second key defensive post in the pre-season, allowing Howe to be freed up as a third-tall intercept option.
In the middle, Crisp barely plays a bad game and his versatility allows him to float to flanks either up forward or down back with the likes of Jordan De Goey, Tom Mitchell and Taylor Adams able to take on inside roles.
While Collingwood’s spine on paper isn’t a standout, McRae’s game plan which focuses on getting the club’s star wingmen and flankers the football at pace ensures that the talls simply have to play their role to be competitive.
Grade: 7/10
Lachlan Geleit
FB: Brandon Zerk-Thatcher
CHB: Jayden Laverde
C: Zach Merrett
CHF: Harrison Jones
FF: Peter Wright
Essendon is a club undergoing severe change off the field, but on the-field they also remain very much a work in progress.
One look at the Bombers' spine suggests a list that remains one of promise, but fairly raw and with several gears to find in the coming years under new coach Brad Scott.
Peter Wright and Harrison Jones will continue to lead things in attack, as Wright looks to back up a career-best season and Jones largely looking to stay fit.
But down back is where the issues largely lie. Essendon will be hoping that top draft pick Zach Reid takes a step towards becoming a best 22 player in 2023 and delivers on the hype after several injury-interrupted years.
Grade: 5/10
Laurence Rosen
FB: Alex Pearce
CHB: Brennan Cox
C: Andrew Brayshaw
CHF: Jye Amiss
FF: Matt Taberner
Fremantle was one of the big improvers of the 2023 season, with Andrew Brayshaw and Brennan Cox breaking out factoring greatly into that. Cox has turned into an elite intercept marker and a reliable foil for Alex Pearce.
After multiple seasons interrupted by injury, Pearce has established himself at full back for the Dockers and as the anchor of their defence.
Brayshaw’s breakout meanwhile saw him win the AFLPA MVP. He has been recognised as one of the game’s elite on-ballers and should only get better from here.
The question mark for the Dockers is inside 50. Losing Rory Lobb takes away their best key forward from 2022. Matt Taberner has struggled to stay healthy across his career, despite strong 2020-2021 seasons.
Jye Amiss is the future. He showed signs across the finals series, but key forwards need time to develop and he likely isn’t quite ready to consistently impact. They’ve brought in Luke Jackson, who also hasn’t yet established himself as a capable forward.
Grade: 6.5/10
Nic Negrepontis
FB: Sam De Koning
CHB: Tom Stewart
C: Patrick Dangerfield
CHF: Jeremy Cameron
FF: Tom Hawkins
A premiership-winning spine. At their peak, all five are in the top echelon of their positions and were on fire in the finals series to propel Geelong to a flag.
Sam De Koning was a revelation in his debut year and will be a key part of the club’s backline for years to come, while Tom Stewart’s attributes are complementary.
Patrick Dangerfield finished the year full of fire but will turn 33 early in the 2023 season. Tom Hawkins is in a similar boat but has a contract for next year, while Jeremy Cameron is still at his peak.
Hawkins and Cameron finished second and third in the Coleman respectively and are arguably the game's best key forward pairing.
It’s an ageing spine, but there are few better in the game at the present time.
Grade: 9/10
Seb Mottram
FB: Sam Collins CHB: Charlie Ballard C: Touk Miller CHF: Mabior Chol FF: Ben King
This Suns spine may fly under the radar as one of better groups in the whole competition.
A returning Ben King is certain to give Gold Coast a jolt of forward potency, with the Suns hoping for the young gun to pick up right where he left off before his injury.
Pairing him alongside a Mabior Chol fresh off the best year of his career, this forward duo has a sneaky chance to be in the upper echelon of the AFL.
Through the middle is their superstar skipper Touk Miller, fresh off a third-placed Brownlow finish and ready to tear apart the AFL once more.
Down back is where the Suns are less heralded, with the combination of Sam Collins and Charlie Ballard falling a touch short of the rest of the impressive spine, but still remaining solid.
Despite a couple of shaky outings, Collins has been solid for Gold Coast, whilst the young Ballard will be looking to reach his potential after injury prematurely ended his 2022.
Grade: 8/10
Jack Makeham
FB: Sam Taylor
CHB: Phil Davis
C: Tom Green
CHF: Jesse Hogan
FF: Toby Greene
The Giants can be satisfied knowing they have one of if not the best key defender in the competition in Sam Taylor, who will hold down their defence for a long time to come.
At the other end of his career is Phil Davis, who will play on in 2023. Whether he remains in their best 22 is to be seen, with Nick Haynes and Harry Himmelberg others who could slot into this spine.
Tom Green is another young gem on-ball and with Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper gone, his role will grow as a contested beast feeding the likes of Josh Kelly and Lachie Whitfield.
Jesse Hogan quietly had a good season. After years of injuries and other issues, the key forward played 18 games and kicked 35 goals. GWS will be hoping that continues on into next season.
Toby Greene is probably the smallest full forward in the AFL and capable of playing a multitude of roles. He remains one of the game’s most dangerous forwards and excels in marking contests deep. The Giants seemingly plan to use pick one on key forward Aaron Cadman, who in time will likely feature in this article.
Grade: 6/10
FB: James Blanck
CHB: James Sicily
C: Jai Newcombe
CHF: Jacob Koschitzke
FF: Mitch Lewis
Hawthorn looks set for a brutal season next year, having gutted their list further as part of their rebuild. What remains is one of the youngest spines in the entire competition, featuring only one player older than 25.
James Blanck was a pleasant surprise coming out of last year’s mid-season draft, managing to hold his own after being thrown into the fire.
However, the youngster is not the ideal pairing down back for All-Australian James Sicily, with the star forced to carry much of the defensive load.
Another young gun is Jai Newcombe who may serve as the Hawks’ primary on-baller in 2023 and has burst onto the scene, however with an increased role looking assured for next season, there is a lot of responsibility on his shoulders.
Jacob Koschitzke and Mitch Lewis are an exciting yet inexperienced combination up forward which could be the future for Hawthorn. For now, they will have plenty of opportunities to improve their craft against the game’s best, with Lewis in particular already showing impressive signs.
Hawthorn have put together a spine with the future in mind, with Sicily the only true established name of the bunch, leading to what could be a rough season next year.
Grade: 4.5/10
Jack Makeham
FB: Steven May
CHB: Harrison Petty
C: Clayton Oliver
CHF: Ben Brown
FF: Tom McDonald
This is a spine that won a premiership just 12 months ago and despite crashing out during finals this year, still remains one of the best in the competition.
The May/Petty combo down back remains one of Simon Goodwin’s best assets when the team is fully fit and firing and further up the field, Clayton Oliver remains one of the game’s most in-form players.
The forward line is where a query still lies, as both Tom McDonald and Ben Brown look for a more consistent run in the senior team next year. Can someone like Jacob van Rooyen push one of them out in 2023?
Grade: 7/10
Laurence Rosen
FB: Ben McKay
CHB: Griffin Logue
C: Luke Davies-Uniacke
CHF: Cam Zurhaar
FF: Nick Larkey
North Melbourne would be pretty happy with their spine as it sits despite coming off successive wooden spoons. The addition of Griffin Logue gives them some extra size in defence and a partner for Ben McKay.
Logue was an excellent swingman for Fremantle, able to hold up at either end of the field, while McKay has been one of the breakout key defenders of recent seasons. He will only get better as the team does.
Speaking of breakouts, Luke Davies-Uniacke was arguably the most improved player in the AFL after the bye in 2022 and will only improve as a tough on-baller with a lot of burst.
The question mark for the Kangaroos is inside 50. Nick Larkey is an excellent young key forward who they can build around. They will likely pair him with a ruckman in Callum Coleman-Jones, Tristian Xerri or Todd Goldstein, but Cam Zurhaar remains their second best goal kicker and can play tall.
North Melbourne’s spine would certainly feel a lot more secure had they taken Logan McDonald in the 2021 National Draft, but they will be satisfied with what they have.
Grade: 7/10
Nic Negrepontis
FB: Aliir Aliir
CHB: Tom Jonas
C: Connor Rozee
CHF: Charlie Dixon
FF: Todd Marshall
Connor Rozee assumed the role as Port’s best midfielder in 2022 and symbolizes the hopeful bounce back of the Power in 2023. He’s still got plenty of improvement left in him, as does Todd Marshall, who also enjoyed a breakout year.
That duo taking the next step will no doubt be key to the club’s hopes next year, but there’s clearly talent there. Charlie Dixon proved how important he is to the team when returning late in the year and proving a huge factor, despite the 32-year-old entering the twilight of his career.
Down back is where the club appears most wobbly. Tom Jonas had a strong year as captain while Aliir Aliir was wobbly at the time, although that could be put down to just one poor year.
The Power have been screaming out for a key defender with some size and attempted to trade for Geelong's Esava Ratugolea.
Much will depend on the form of Rozee and Marshall.
Grade: 6/10
Seb Mottram
FB: Robbie Tarrant
CHB: Noah Balta
C: Dion Prestia
CHF: Tom Lynch
FF: Jack Riewoldt
Veteran Robbie Tarrant is one of Richmond’s main key defenders, waxing with Noah Balta who is an emerging defensive weapon.
That duo can be intertwined with the likes of Nick Vlastuin, Nathan Broad, Dylan Grimes and even youngster Josh Gibcus who are all capable of playing key defensive roles.
Dion Prestia is the club’s most important midfielder and wins a slot in the spine even though his stature is more like an olden day rover. For this purpose he is the starting centreman such is his ability to extract the ball from stoppages and run both ways effectively.
Tom Lynch was a colossus in 2022, narrowly missing out on the Coleman Medal to finish with 63 goals while taking the most average contested marks per game in the league. He was also unlucky not to make the All-Australian 22.
300-gamer Jack Riewoldt keeps on keeping on and kicked 40 goals in 2022. It was the 11th time he has returned 40 or more goals in a season. What he might be lacking in physically as the years tick on, he certainly makes up for with his unmatched footy IQ.
Grade: 8/10
Andrew Slevison
FB: Dougal Howard
CHB: Callum Wilkie
C: Jack Steele
CHF: Tim Membrey
FF: Max King
For all the change St Kilda is experiencing at the moment, their spine is something that hasn't changed from 2022 to 2023.
Dougal Howard and Cal Wilkie are defenders St Kilda supporters can trust. When the Saints were going so well at the start of last season it was Howard and Wilkie that led the charge.
Wilkie earnt himself a spot in the All-Australian squad, a deserving reward for the former rookie.
Jack Steele is a star of the competition; he is a reliable ball winner and you can pencil him in to hold his own in the guts. Steele will also hope the likes of Jade Gresham and Hunter Clark take the step they should be taking at the stage of their careers.
St Kilda’s forward line depends on too few.
Max King is going to be one of the best forwards in the competition for the next 10 years, if he starts to kick straight, he may be the best forward in the comp next year.
Tim Membrey is the definition of consistent, not blessed with height or size, Membrey is all heart.
You can bank him in for 30-40 goals next year.
Grade: 6/10
Hugh Fitzpatrick
FB: Tom McCartin
CHB: Paddy McCartin
C: Luke Parker
CHF: Lance Franklin
FF: Logan McDonald
Sydney’s strong spine was more than enough to get them into the Grand Final and despite their incredibly underwhelming performance on the grand stage, the Swans are still looking dangerous.
The McCartin duo have proven to be a strong pairing down back for the Bloods, anchoring their backline with reliable groundwork and intercept play.
Luke Parker has been a stalwart of Sydney’s midfield for over a decade, a consistent mover through the middle of the ground for the Swans.
Up front is a blend of experience and youth, with Lance Franklin still impactful at the end of his illustrious career, whilst Logan McDonald is ready to kick his into gear.
After being dropped heading into the Grand Final, McDonald will certainly come into the year with a chip on his shoulder, looking to fulfill his high potential.
The Swans’ spine is the definition of solid, boasting no major flaws but not quite reaching the elite heights of other clubs.
Grade: 7.5/10
Jack Makeham
FB: Tom Barass
CHB: Jeremy McGovern
C: Tim Kelly
CHF: Oscar Allen
FF: Jack Darling
West Coast’s struggles were seen in the absence of several key players. Jeremy McGovern missed most of the season while Oscar Allen didn’t play, and the inclusion of both is set to have significant impacts in 2023.
McGovern’s partner in crime, Tom Barass, was very unlucky not to earn his maiden All-Australian jacket, and those two fully fit are among the best defensive duos in the league.
It’s the other areas of the ground where the club was below par in 2022. Tim Kelly’s form at West Coast hasn’t gotten better since being traded at the end of 2019 despite plenty of talent, and he led a poor midfield group this season just gone.
Josh Kennedy’s retirement means Jack Darling has to step up again. While he was underdone for the first parts of the season, the 30-year-old had a tough year, although the talent is there to form a strong combination with Allen.
Aside from Barass and McGovern, the form of the other trio could wildly fluctuate in 2023.
Grade: 5/10
Seb Mottram
FB: Ryan Gardner
CHB: Liam Jones
C: Marcus Bontempelli
CHF: Jamarra Ugle-Hagan
FF: Aaron Naughton
The Western Bulldogs will make an addition to their spine next campaign with Liam Jones arriving at the club as a free agent.
The defender will add valuable height down back and help address one of the Bulldogs’ key issues which has long been the ability to lock down opposition tall forwards.
In the midfield, Marcus Bontempelli headlines a star-studded on-ball unit alongside the likes of Jack Macrae, Bailey Smith and Tom Liberatore.
That group have plenty to kick to heading inside 50 with star target Aaron Naughton always presenting while Jamarra Ugle-Hagan showed glimpses of why he was picked at number one overall in the 2020 draft.
If Jones slots in seamlessly and Ugle-Hagan continues his upward trajectory, the Bulldogs will without doubt hold one of the competition’s best spines in 2023.
Grade: 8/10
Lachlan Geleit