Veteran defender Heath Grundy believes finding and nailing the right balance within the Sydney Swans' back half has been the key to its success in 2016.
Grundy quickly became the pillar in the Swans' back half this season, the competition's most miserly defence, mainly due to Ted Richards' injury-cruelled year.
Alongside All Australian small Nick Smith, Grundy has been the backbone while Sydney's new-look defence has taken shape around him.
From the opening round Callum Mills hasn't looked out of place while the emergence and consistency of Aliir Aliir is holding firm and keeping a now fit Richards out of the side.
Dane Rampe, in line for his first All Australian accolade, has continued to take his game to a new level while at different stages the backline has been well serviced by the likes of Jeremy Laidler, Zak Jones, Harry Marsh, Jake Lloyd and Harry Cunningham.
Jarrad McVeigh's experience has been an asset but the co-captain's class has also been utilised through the midfield and further up the ground.
In a back half that many critics labelled "ageing" and possibly on the decline during the pre-season, Grundy and co look to hold a very important piece to the Sydney Swans' premiership puzzle.
"We’ve got a really good mix down there," Grundy said.
"Aliir with his height and run, a couple of good ball users with Lloydy and Millsy, Ramps has had a super year, Nick Smith's one of the best defenders in the competition.
"The midfield and forwards have been putting on a lot of pressure up the ground, which helps.
"Now it's just a matter of continuing that on."
Grundy, who's preparing for his sixth finals series, is arguably in career-best form and shows no signs of slowing down after featuring in every game of the Sydney Swans' home and away campaign.
He's only conceded 23 goals from those 22 matches, five of which came in the one game (against Richmond's Ben Griffiths in Round 8).
Only Gold Coast's Tom Lynch has spent more time on the ground this season while the ever-reliable Grundy is ranked 19th overall for one percenters (spoils, shepherds, smothers etc.)
Peering through the statistical wash-up which so often determines a player's year, Grundy's been able to shoulder the load all the while taking on added responsibility after he was voted into the leadership group earlier this year.
Grundy says while the role has had its challenges, he's enjoyed seeing the game in new light while having a more direct involvement on the week-to-week goings on.
"It has been good to have a bit more of an involvement and share my opinions on how we're going each week," he added.
"I think it has been great for my footy while trying to help other guys improve their games as well."
