Geelong has ended the 2018 home and away season as the best defensive team in the competition.

They have conceded 1554 points over their 22 games, at an average of 70 points per game. Richmond are second with 1574 points conceded, while Hawthorn sit third with 1642 points conceded.

It equals their effort in 2016, where amazingly, they conceded the exact same amount of points with 1554.

It is an outstanding achievement considering the circumstances. Lachie Henderson had a troublesome knee and missed the opening half of the season and Harry Taylor injured his foot in round one and between them they have played 13 games for the year.

Couple this with the retirements of Andrew Mackie and Tom Lonergan at the end of 2017 and many thought it would be a long year for the back six at Kardinia Park.

In fact, it has been quite the opposite.

The emergence of Jack Henry and Mark Blicavs to become first choice defenders and the continued improvement of Jed Bews, Jake Kolodjashnij and Tom Stewart has relieved some of the pressure and doubts that outsiders had about the Geelong defence.

Tom Stewart has been the general down back all year and was rewarded with a nomination for the All Australian squad. Ranked equal sixth in the AFL for intercepts (153), Stewart recorded 117 rebounds for the year (ranked third in AFL) and had 88 one percenters. The second-year Cat averaged 20.3 disposals a game, going at 79% efficiency.

Jake Kolodjashnij’s year has been vastly underrated as he cements his spot in the back six. Playing every game this year, Kolodjashnij has had career highs in intercepts (120), one percenters (105) and rebound 50s (49).

Mark Blicavs’ remarkable footballing story continues as he thrives in a key defensive post. Much like Kolodjashnij, he has career highs in intercepts, one percenters (ranked fifth in AFL) and time on ground percentage. His standout performance came against North Melbourne in round 12 this year, where he kept Ben Brown goalless. He was also rewarded with a nomination for the All Australian squad.

Add in the attacking flair of Zach Tuohy (93 rebounds) and it rounds out the Geelong defence.

Speaking to Cats Media after the win over Gold Coast, Tom Stewart said that they ‘have really adopted that team within team mantra’.

“I play with some fantastic players down there. Having Harry (Taylor) come back is a massive bonus, as well as ‘Hendo’ (Lachie Henderson), ‘Blitz’ (Mark Blicavs) has been super, ‘Reggy’ (Zach Tuohy) is a fantastic player and Jack Henry has been a swing man in his second year of footy, so we have seen some exceptional players go through there and it’s an awesome team to be a part of.”

Geelong’s defence will have to be on their game come next Friday. Melbourne are the highest scoring team in the league, averaging 104.5 per game.

Premierships are won on defence and Geelong’s is doing everything it can to ensure the club can win its 10^th premiership.