THE SELECTION of Sydney Swans defender Ted Richards at centre half-back in the 2012 All Australian team was due reward after an exceptional season.
The wraps on Richards' fellow key defender, Heath Grundy, as well as the running backmen Rhyce Shaw, Martin Mattner and Nick Malceski are well deserved after a home-and-away season in which the Swans were the best defensive team.
Consider this:
-They gave away only 1629 points. Fremantle was the next best, with 1691.
-The Swans conceded the fewest goals once the opposition was in its 50-metre arc.
-They conceded goals during 20.8 per cent of opposition forward entries. Collingwood was the next best with 23.7.
But what is recognised too little is the contribution of the unsung Nick Smith and Alex Johnson to the Swans' defensive rigour.
Smith this season has kept All Australian forward pocket Stephen Milne to one goal, and he's kept Carlton's Eddie Betts and Geelong's Steve Johnson goalless.
The 22-year-old is second among the Swans for points generated from interceptions, behind only Richards. Johnson is equal third on that list with Kieren Jack.
Both are adept at hitting up teammates in space. They fit perfectly into the Swans' pattern of disciplined defence coupled with the ability to run and spread when in attacking mode.
A defensive coach from an opposition club described Smith as one of the best small defenders in the game, with an elite ability to concentrate.
"If he wasn't in Sydney, he'd be much better known," the coach said.
Smith helps to set the team's tone with his tackling. He rarely infringes with his technique of angling in low and hard.
Witness his rundown on Carlton's Tom Bell as the Blues midfielder was running into goal during their match in round 19.
Johnson is a medium-tall defender who was taken at No.57 in the 2010 NAB AFL Draft. He's become a vital member of the defence since making his debut in round three, 2011.
The opposition coach noted that he's impressively strong over the ball for a 20-year-old. He's able to play the Swans' style of holding your ground in tight situations and running off when possible.
Johnson has played every game this season while Smith has played 20. They round out a stable, balanced backline.
Every premiership team has one.
But while the Swans' points-against column is testament to the excellence of the defenders, history says it's also a product of highly organised coaching.
The Swans' 1629 points tally ranks among the lowest in the past 30 years. The only teams to concede fewer points are St Kilda in 2009 (1411), Adelaide in 2005 (1517) and West Coast in 1992 (1532) and 1994 (1572).
All those teams were coached by leaders who've been considered defensive masters. Ross Lyon coached St Kilda, Neil Craig coach Adelaide while Mick Malthouse was at the helm at West Coast.
Swans coach John Longmire is in esteemed company, although it should be noted that of those coaches only Malthouse has coached a premiership team.
Defensive structures can be prised apart in the heat of finals. Longmire will do everything he can to cool things down.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs.
