FIRST it was the forwards, then the midfielders: now, it's the defenders' turn.

We take a look back at the performances of Carlton's emerging backline from the opening half of the 2019, season.

6. Kade Simpson

Veteran defender Kade Simpson is stringing together the makings of yet another consistent season in the Navy Blue. 

Despite missing four weeks through injury – the most games he’s missed in a season since 2005 – Carlton’s warrior has once again been a key contributor in defence, averaging five rebound 50s and 10 pressure acts a game.

His best performance came in the Blues' Round 5 victory over the Western Bulldogs, finishing with eight rebound 50s, six score involvements and 17 pressure acts.

13. Liam Stocker

First-year Blue Liam Stocker got his first chance at senior level in the Blues’ Round 7 clash with North Melbourne.

Building on a string of consistent performances with the Northern Blues, Stocker was rewarded with AFL selection: since then, the first-year Blue has shown some promising signs, impressing with his ability to make an impact from the outset.

His run at AFL level was cut short after five games, with an ankle injury sidelining him for a month. However, with silky skills and natural football smarts, the youngster has plenty to show before the season is out.

14. Liam Jones   

Liam Jones impressed down back over the first six rounds of 2019, quickly becoming one of the competition’s most resolute defenders.

Working closely with Blues’ defensive coach Dale Amos, Jones caught the attention of the wider AFL community for his defensive smarts and ability to shut down some of the competition’s best opposition forwards.

The defender’s run was unfortunately cut short by a concussion sustained during the Blues’ Round 7 clash with North Melbourne. Up until that point, Jones’ best performance came a week prior, forming part of an impermeable defence with 13 spoils, 10 marks and nine contested possessions.

Jones’ teammates and fans alike will be looking forward to his return to the senior side in the back half of the season.

19. Angus Schumacher

In his second year on the Carlton list, Angus Schumacher has made some impressive strides in form through his time in the VFL.

Still working towards a senior debut, Schumacher has averaged 16 disposals across seven matches for the Northern Blues.

The second-year Blue is developing a reputation as a defender who can shut down his opponent in the air while also using his long left foot to advantage.

20. Lachie Plowman

A consistent performer in the Blues’ backline, Lachie Plowman has added solidity and experience throughout the season.

The ex-Giant has missed only one game in 2019, with a cheekbone fracture sidelining him for the Blues' Round 9 clash with his former side.

The 24-year-old’s key strength is his defensive pressure, averaging 3.2 spoils and 4.2 one percenters a match in 2019. He picked up coaches’ votes in Round 2 against Port Adelaide, while he restricted Brisbane’s Charlie Cameron to a solitary goal in the Round 12 clash.

21. Jarrod Garlett

A move to defence over the pre-season saw Jarrod Garlett start the year in the senior line-up.

Taking his place in a new role across half-back, Garlett averaged 11 disposals and three rebound 50s after spending the majority of his time at Carlton as a forward.

Garlett has made positive strides in defence for the Northern Blues in recent weeks, with his 18-disposal showing in the win over Coburg hopefully setting the foundations for the way forward.

22. Caleb Marchbank

The Blues were eager to welcome back promising young defender Caleb Marchbank to the side after an injury-interrupted season in 2018.

Making his return in Round 3, Marchbank’s poise and smarts in defence has seen him become a key member of the Blues’ backline mix.

His best performance this season came on the main stage in the narrow loss to Collingwood in Round 8. Marchbank was a key pillar in the backline, finishing the day with 23 disposals - 11 of those intercepts - and nine marks.

23. Jacob Weitering

The former No.1 draft pick has made outstanding strides in his development as a key defender in 2019, showing the entire AFL community his true potential as one of the best young defenders in the competition.

Jacob Weltering has been a permanent fixture of the backline this year, playing every game to average 6.6 spoils and 2.6 intercept marks over the 13 rounds.

Unsurprisingly, Weitering finished with one of his best performances yet against Brisbane in Round 12. The classy defender was infallible with eight spoils, nine marks and 10 intercepts.

24. Nic Newman

Nic Newman has proved a valuable off-season recruit in his first year at Carlton since moving from Sydney in the off-season.

The speedy defender slotted straight into the line-up, with his maturity and experience adding another dimension to the young backline group. Newman backs up his leadership qualities on the field,  continuing to show his wares with an average of seven rebound 50s and 12 pressure acts a game.

The new recruit wasted no time making an impact for the Blues, with his best game coming in his Carlton debut. In front of over 85,000 people, Newman collected 26 disposals, 12 rebound 50s and a very classy goal against Richmond in the season opener.

26. Harrison Macreadie

After a promising debut year in 2017, a disappointing run with injury sidelined youngster Harrison Macreadie for the majority of 2018.

Following an impressive run in the VFL over the opening rounds of the season, Macreadie returned to the senior side for the Blues’ Round 9 clash with GWS in place of the injured Lachie Plowman.

Returning to the Northern Blues over the last month, Macreadie will look to back in his strengths as an intercepting, rebounding defender as he looks to put together a strong back-end to 2019. 

31. Tom Williamson

Back problems sidelined Tom Williamson for the entirety of the 2018 season and in the opening rounds of 2019.

Making his much-awaited return in Round 7 this year against North Melbourne, Williamson held his own in his two games this season, averaging 12 disposals at 70 percent efficiency while also averaging 15.5 pressure acts.

Missing the remaining games until the bye with his recurring back injury, Blues supporters will be eager to see the promising youngster in action before season’s end.

37. Ben Silvagni

Father-son selection Ben Silvagni has shown impressive development over the first half of his debut year on the Blues’ list.

Silvagni has been building his defensive craft at VFL level with the Northern Blues, playing all bar one game to date.

Over his eight games for Northern, the first-year Blue has averaged nine disposals and 2.5 marks. With his work in traffic down back a feature, Silvagni has also had brief stints up forward.

39. Dale Thomas

In his sixth season in Navy Blue, Dale Thomas has been an integral cog in the Blues’ backline unit of the first half of 2019.

Celebrating his 250th AFL game against the Western Bulldogs in Round 13, the veteran has been nothing but dependable on the field,  with an average of 4.4 rebound 50s and 12 pressure acts a game.

Thomas mustered his best against his old side when the Blues’ faced traditional rivals Collingwood in Round 8. Finishing the day with 12 rebound 50s from his 24 disposals, Thomas also enjoyed influential performances against Richmond (Round 1) and Hawthorn (Round 6).

41. Levi Casboult

After his first seven years in the AFL system were spent as a forward, Levi Casboult has enjoyed a resurgence in a key defensive post.

Casboult kicked three goals in his traditional role against the Western Bulldogs in the Round 5 win, but it has been his performances in the last month which have seen him flourish.

Swung down back against Collingwood in Round 8, Casboult has been a reliable presence down back. Using his outstanding marking to his advantage, Casboult has adopted a no-nonsense approach, placed second in the competition for spoils since his move.

45. Hugh Goddard

Hugh Goddard arrived at Carlton with a second chance in 2019 after an injury-interrupted career at St Kilda.

Yet to make his debut in Navy Blue at AFL level, Goddard has been the Stan out contributor for the Northern Blues over the first half of the season.

Leading the VFL Blues for marks, Goddard has averaged 16 disposals and been equally adept at intercept and spoiling in a key defensive post. With the likes of Weitering and Marchbank impressing at AFL level, Goddard is providing more than handy depth and will be in outstanding form when called upon for his Carlton debut.