The Sydney Swans defence has continued to be a cornerstone of their game in 2015 ranking as the third best in the competition behind only Fremantle and Hawthorn.

Following the first eleven rounds of the season the Swans have conceded just 719 points, an average of 65.3 points conceded per game.

Ted Richards and Heath Grundy once again have kept some of the best power forwards in the league at bay working in tandem to shut down the oppositions key position guns.

Supporting that pair are the ever reliable Nick Smith, Rhyce Shaw Jeremy Laidley and Dane Rampe playing an important role in creating run from defence as well as shutting down small forwards across the competition.

Assistant coach John Blakey, in charge of the defenders, believes the flexibility of the playing group to play through the back half of the field is a hallmark of their success.

“I think we’ve been pretty solid – the whole group,” Blakey told the Round 11 Coaches Column.

“Obviously, Teddy and Heath hold down the keys and do a really good job, week in and week out.

“Nick Smith and Rhyce Shaw are always reliable while players like (Lewis) Jetta, (Jarrad) McVeigh and Sammy Reid have been through there in different patches.”

“We have a good mix available to us which helps out the back six significantly.”

Rampe in particular has gone from strength to strength over the last month with his best two games of the season coming against Gold Coast and North Melbourne in the last fortnight.

The 24-year-old defender collected a career high 32 disposals against the Suns before following it up 26 disposals against North Melbourne along with a career high 14 marks.

Rampe’s disposal efficiency has improved this season with his penetrating kick becoming a trademark of his game as he dashes out of defence.

“Dane has been working really hard on it. His kicking has probably been a little inconsistent over the last couple of years but, to his credit, has continually worked on it and it has improved,” Blakey said.

“We have to remember he has only been playing senior footy for a couple of years so his improvement has been quite significant.”