Tackles
When a player tackles an opposing player who has possession of the ball.
This is perhaps the easiest stat to explain for people unfamiliar with Australian Rules Football. However, unlike other codes where tackling is permitted, namely rugby and American Football, there are much stricter guidelines on how and which parts of the body you are allowed to tackle in the Aussie Rules.
For example, it is only permissible to tackle a player above the knees and below the shoulders. Pushing or landing in a players back is outlawed, as is slinging a player's head into the ground, especially when their arms are pinned.
When executed effectively, tackles become crucial in winning back the ball from the opposition, and therefore a fundamental AFL stat.
Example: “The Melbourne Demons are averaging an impressive 70 tackles per game.”
Unlike Rugby League, a high tackle count isn't necessarily a bad sign. Instead, a high tackle count generally corresponds to effort and pressure on the ball.
A successful tackle can also win a free kick if the tackled player is deemed to be 'holding the ball'. For punters, a falling tackle count week on week can be a good indicator of a slippage in effort.
Benchmark: A midfielder will aim to make around 6 Tackles per game. A team would generally make over 60 Tackles in a game and a team which makes over 70 will be considered to have applied significant pressure on their opposition.
