“I TAKE pride in taking on the best forwards and that’s what I’m going to be doing for the next few years.”

Few defenders across the competition have been more impressive than Carlton’s Jacob Weitering in 2020.

The 22-year-old took his third consecutive scalp on the weekend, keeping Tom Hawkins to two goals and no kicks in the first half in the win over Geelong.

The strong performance came after keeping Richmond’s Tom Lynch and Melbourne’s Tom McDonald goalless in the season’s first two games.

It has seen the football world sit up and take notice of Weitering, who moved into the top 10 of the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year award on Monday night: the only defender to do so as things stand.

Speaking to media on Tuesday, Weitering said he felt his form had come on the back of a consistent 12 months.

“I like to think I’m building on the back of a consistent year last year. There were a few changes we made personally and mentally,” Weitering said.

“I’m just feeling really confident physically and mentally as a player. I definitely won’t take all of the credit, with the back line we’ve got at the moment.

“It comes with the team performing as well: if there’s pressure up the field, there are forced high balls and I’m in the contest, which is where I feel comfortable.

“It’s really exciting that the team is starting to put a score on the board.”

Weitering ranks elite in the competition for rebound 50s and above average for intercept possessions, but it’s his work in the one-on-one contest which is perhaps most impressive.

The key defender has had 23 defensive one-on-ones in the first rounds - comfortably the most in the competition - yet has lost only four.

He said his physical maturity has been the key in his recent form, as well as his relationship with key defensive partner Liam Jones.

“Physically, it probably takes a bit of time as a key position player to develop,” he said.

“I’m going to be playing against guys that are bigger than me… physically I’ve got to feel like I can perform against them. That comes with training.

“I really like the mentality at the moment where we’re being ruthless: we want to go and take on the best.

“It’s definitely a mentality that ‘Jonesy’ and I both take on: you really can’t do it without each other.”

Weitering by the numbers

- Lost just four of 23 defensive one-on-ones
- One of only two players with over 20 spoils and intercept possessions
- Two goals conceded in last four games (including Round 23, 2019)
- Ranks elite in 2020 for one percenters, rebound 50s and score launches
- Ranks above average in 2020 for intercepts and metres gained
- The only defender in the top 10 of the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year award (13 votes)