[RELATED: Fantasy - North's prices]

AFL Fantasy is back for another season, and the team at Footy Prophet will again be supplying NMFC.com.au with premium fantasy analysis and tips for the 2015 season.

Things look pretty different in the AFL Fantasy backline in 2015.

Only two of the top ten defensive options from 2014 have kept their status this year. Former defenders like Jarrad McVeigh, Pearce Hanley, Jimmy Bartel, David Swallow and Sam Mitchell will have to be squeezed into other positions on your team this year.

The two remaining are Luke Hodge ($550,000) and Nick Malceski ($521,000). Both are worth their high price tag, even though it remains to be seen how Malceski will fare on the Gold Coast.

The defensive top tier in 2015 is dominated by veterans. Along with Hodge and Malceski, stalwarts such as Shaun Burgoyne ($491,000), Andrew Mackie ($475,000), James Kelly ($494,000) and Kade Simpson ($521,000) make up the highest-averaging defenders available.

One younger face among the pack who is worth a place on your team is Michael Hibberd, who at $506,000 is pricey, but worth it.

The Essendon defender was very consistent in 2014 and has improved his fantasy scores every year since his debut in 2011. It wouldn’t take much more improvement for him to become the best fantasy defender in the competition - so grab him while you can.

Young faces are also knocking on the door of the top 10 defenders. Players like Brodie Smith ($465,000), Jack Newnes ($464,000), Sam Docherty ($446,000) and Mark Baguley ($440,000) are priced around the mid-range, but have the potential to back up their breakout 2014 seasons this year.

One breakout contender within North's fantasy stocks is Shaun Higgins. The former Bulldog can be chosen as a Defender/Forward in 2015, and is the club's top priced defender at $430,000.

If he can hold his body together, Higgins will be a classy choice with plenty of upside.

Close behind Higgins in North’s back half is Lachlan Hansen, who is attractively cheap at $388,000.

Hansen’s best is fine indeed and he scored two massive tons in 2014. However, consistency has not been his fantasy trademark recently.

If Hansen can find form and level out his points, then he’ll be a steal at that price.

There are other bargains to be picked up in the back half. Heritier Lumumba and Shane Savage can be picked up for close to $400,000 and are more capable than their price suggests.

Savage in particular finished the 2014 season strongly, while Lumumba finds himself at a possession-happy Melbourne.

Then there are your rookie defenders to consider. Tom Clurley ($120,000) will be given opportunities in the Port Adelaide backline, if Jackson Trengove misses time with a shoulder injury. Jake Kolodjashnij ($120,000) is another rookie-priced defender who has a year in the VFL under his belt. He'll be keen to follow in his brother Kade’s footsteps in the big league this year.

Mathew Dick ($120,000) is also worth a look, as another bottom-priced player with a lot of potential. He was traded from Sydney last year and will be keen for a debut.

Dick seems a good pickup by Carlton and his form in the twos was solid.

Footy Prophet’s top defensive picks
1. Luke Hodge (Hawthorn) - $550,000
2. Michael Hibberd (Essendon) - $506,000
3. Nick Malceski (Gold Coast) - $521,000
4. Brodie Smith (Adelaide) - $465,000
5. Sam Docherty (Carlton) - $446,000

Join the official North Melbourne AFL Fantasy league to compete against like-minded fans.

Click here to register (league code: YL9C72HH)