Best backlines in the last 20 years

[Shaneprice97]

The backman, the best are the most reliable ones.

Being a Backman myself, the backline is probably my favourite part of a team, love seeing a teams backline on paper looking very solid and thinking 'Shit thats good', i hope my Magpies can cement a solid core backline in time, because atleast on paper it hasnt looked that good in recent times.

Which have been some of the best backlines in the past 20 years?

 

[mike123]

B: Nick Maxwell, Chris Tarrant, Heritier O'Brien
HB: Leon Davis, Ben Reid, Heath Shaw

M: Ben Johnson

I/C: Alan Toovey

 

[donbooger]

The one we had at our best was very good.

Milburn, Scarlett, Mackie
Harley, Egan or Taylor, Enright

 

[Cynic]

B: Nick Maxwell, Chris Tarrant, Heritier O'Brien
HB: Leon Davis, Ben Reid, Heath Shaw

M: Ben Johnson

I/C: Alan Toovey

The one we had at our best was very good.

Milburn, Scarlett, Mackie
Harley, Egan or Taylor, Enright

Well that's a tough decision.

 

[ausbacker]

If 1994 counts as part of the last 20 years then West Coast's premiership winning side put out a great unit.

FB: Ashley McIntosh Michael Brennan David Hart
HB: Guy McKenna Glen Jakovich John Worsfold

 

[Shaneprice97]

Well that's a tough decision.

Its not THE best backline in the past 20 years, its the best backlines.

The Collingwood 2010/11 was a impressive backline too.

 

[Play by Numbers]

Backs Ashley McIntosh Michael Brennan David Hart
Half-backs Guy McKenna Glen Jakovich John Worsfold

 

[Play by Numbers]

If 1994 counts as part of the last 20 years then West Coast's premiership winning side put out a great unit.

FB: Ashley McIntosh Michael Brennan David Hart
HB: Guy McKenna Glen Jakovich Josh Worsfold

Just beat me.

Probably the best HB line I have seen.

 

[RUNVS]

I would say backlines in general are more reliable and more structured these days than in the past. There are fewer weak links in a teams backline than there were even 10 years ago where every team had at least 1 or 2 defenders who you really didn't want in the team but there was no one better to replace them.

 

[ausbacker]

Just beat me.

Probably the best HB line I have seen.

Except autocorrect changed John Worsfold to Josh Worsfold in my team!

 

[cammo78]

Chris Johnson, Mal Michael, Darryl White
Luke Power, Justin Leppitsch, Nigel Lappin

 

[Suit]

If 1994 counts as part of the last 20 years then West Coast's premiership winning side put out a great unit.

FB: Ashley McIntosh Michael Brennan David Hart
HB: Guy McKenna Glen Jakovich John Worsfold

+1
I logged in to post this.

McIntosh was so underrated outside of WA

 

[Blue and Gold Blood]

hehe beaten by 2 other Eagles supporters who were quick to identify that awesome backline from the 90's.

The 06 team was not far off it:

Wirrapanda Glass Waters
Chick Hunter Selwood

I think Hunter was the only non-all Australian out of that 6

 

[Shaneprice97]

Chris Johnson, Mal Michael, Darryl White
Luke Power, Justin Leppitsch, Nigel Lappin

Werent 1-2 of the Scott brothers in the backline?

 

[cammo78]

Werent 1-2 of the Scott brothers in the backline?

Took the 2003 GF side.

But yes - you could replace Power/Lappin with either/both and still have one of the best getting around.

 

[ausbacker]

+1
I logged in to post this.

McIntosh was so underrated outside of WA

Super player. McIntosh's closing speed to shutdown the options of his opponents is what I most remember about him. Truthfully, all 6 of the 1994 back line could play defensively and run off offering rebound football. In my opinion, it is as good as unit as you're likely to see in your lifetime for those reasons alone.

 

[The Cryptkeeper]

Backs Ashley McIntosh Michael Brennan David Hart
Half-backs Guy McKenna Glen Jakovich John Worsfold

We have a winner.

 

[Suit]

Super player. McIntosh's closing speed to shutdown the options of his opponents is what I most remember about him. Truthfully, all 6 of the 1994 back line could play defensively and run off offering rebound football. In my opinion, it is as good as unit as you're likely to see in your lifetime for those reasons alone.

Could throw him forward as well. He would perfectly suit the modern game. He would dominate.

 

[Play by Numbers]

Super player. McIntosh's closing speed to shutdown the options of his opponents is what I most remember about him. Truthfully, all 6 of the 1994 back line could play defensively and run off offering rebound football. In my opinion, it is as good as unit as you're likely to see in your lifetime for those reasons alone.

McIntosh was the original marking FB, when it was almost written in stone that you go the fist and go to the boundary. Used to love taking big marks in defence and the odd screamer.

 

[TBoyleSuperstar]

Werent 1-2 of the Scott brothers in the backline?

Yeah, I would have thought it was Scott not Power. Not sure Power ever played in defence.
Brisbane's
Johnson, Michael, C Scott
Lappin, Leppitsch, B Scott

Geelong's
Mackie, Scarlett, Enright
Harley, Taylor, Milburn

West Coast's from the mid 90s.
Ashley McIntosh Michael Brennan David Hart
Guy McKenna Glen Jakovich John Worsfold
- In fact I reckon that is one of the best half back lines ever

 

[Suit]

West Coast's from the mid 90s.
Ashley McIntosh Michael Brennan David Hart
Guy McKenna Glen Jakovich John Worsfold
- In fact I reckon that is one of the best half back lines ever

I am inclined to agree.

 

[Forward Press]

That Eagles backline is so good. So many AAs, B+Fs and premierships in there. McIntosh and Hart are often forgotten but both were vital to its success. You couldn't accuse any of those 6 of being soft.

 

[Shaneprice97]

Took the 2003 GF side.

But yes - you could replace Power/Lappin with either/both and still have one of the best getting around.

2004 Brisbane Lions Grand Final side.

FB: Chris Johnson, Mal Michael, Darryl White
HB: Chris Scott, Justin Leppitsch, Brad Scott

Even though they didnt win, this is one of the best backlines ive seen on paper, a bunch of tough bastards to compliment a classy midfield and potent forwardline.

 

[jiphoc]

B: Nick Maxwell, Chris Tarrant, Heritier O'Brien
HB: Leon Davis, Ben Reid, Heath Shaw

M: Ben Johnson

I/C: Alan Toovey

No even in close. Please don't turn this into a [insert my teams best backline over the last 20 years] thread.

In my opinion the Brisbane one of the glory years. They literally scared opposition when they played. This meant half the job was done before the ball was bounced. As for skill will the West Coast of the 90's wins that.

 

[Play by Numbers]

That Eagles backline is so good. So many AAs, B+Fs and premierships in there. McIntosh and Hart are often forgotten but both were vital to its success. You couldn't accuse any of those 6 of being soft.

In the age of attack, they were also the ultimate defensive unit. If you check out the squiggle, it shows that defence won us those flags.

We also got a lot of drive from defence, up the wings. Just watching McKenna, Matera, Kemp and Mainwaring streaming up the flank was a sight to behold.