ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 07: Harry Schoenberg of the Crows is tackled by Mitch Georgiades of the Power during the 2021 AFL Round 21 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Port Adelaide Power at Adelaide Oval on August 7, 2021 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Clubs that look to build a strong case for the premiership will identify their ability to mount pressure on the opposition as a key barometer in their flag credentials.
Being able to lock the ball in your forward third and reset an onslaught aids a club's attack as much as it does their defence, building a constant threat on the scoreboard.
While the primary duty of the forward line is set to get the best result in front of goal, one of the more advantageous avenues to do so comes from implementing continuous and insufferable pressure in your own attacking end.
The term 'pressure forward' has become a required component for every side, with these archetypes utilised for their ability to defend in the forward 50 as much as their keen eye for goal.
With the ability to place constant forward pressure increasingly becoming a greater necessity, we look at the clubs leading the competition for tackles inside forward 50.
Tackles Inside 50: 170
Club leader: Patrick Cripps (18)
The Blues manage to rank fifth overall in 2021 for tackles inside 50 despite not having a single player record more than 18 tackles in attack for the year, with co-captain Patrick Cripps ranking 60th in the league while being No.1 at Ikon Park.
Carlton's pressure across the rest of the field failed to inspire, however their ability to lock down the ball within their attacking third sees them placed in the top third of the competition.
The results show the Blues' forward pressure is a spread workload when compared to other clubs, with the likes of Eddie Betts (17 tackles inside 50), Matt Owies (16) and Harry McKay (15) also leading the charge in forward pressure at Carlton.
With Betts departing, the Blues will look to quickly fill the void left by the veteran goalsneak, with Owies showing plenty of pressure and impact on the scoreboard from his 13 appearances in 2021.
For Michael Voss to lead his new club back to the September action, the Lions great will be hoping to have the Blues continue their strong forward pressure into the 2022 season.
Tackles Inside 50: 187
Club leader: Jarryd Lyons (29)
The Lions come in fourth for the season for recording tackles inside 50, with six players amassing 24 or more tackles in attack to rank within the top 30 of the AFL in 2021.
Led by midfielder Jarryd Lyons (29 tackles inside 50), Brisbane's forward pressure was a key component in their top-four finish this year thanks to their continuous onslaught on oppositions defenders.
Lyons ranked third overall in the competition for total tackles and 10th for tackles inside 50 this season as he claimed his first nod into the All-Australian squad.
Star small forward Charlie Cameron (25), spearhead Daniel McStay (25), captain Dayne Zorko (25), livewire Lincoln McCarthy (24) and emerging jet Zac Bailey (24) rank among the best in the league for tackles inside 50.
The Lions also ranked fourth in the league for total tackles, proving their elite pressure persists across all thirds of the field.
Tackles Inside 50: 192
Club leader: Dan Butler (35)
The Saints proved to be among the top clubs for elite forward pressure again in 2021, ranking third in the league for tackles inside 50 despite finishing outside the top eight for total tackles.
St Kilda also missed the cut-off to reach a second straight finals finish, however their ability to construct waves of pressure in attack sees them highly regarded for the metric.
Looking to build on a stunning 2020 season, Dan Butler ranked fourth in the AFL this year tackles inside 50, laying 35 from his 22 matches.
Midfielder Brad Crouch and goalsneak Jack Higgins both recorded 21 tackles inside forward 50, ranking equal second at Moorabbin and proving the club's recruitment has substantially bolstered their pressure in attack.
Tackles Inside 50: 199
Club leader: Tom Hawkins (35)
Geelong's deep forward stocks were a key factor in their push for a top-four finish in 2021, with Chris Scott's side ranking second for tackles inside 50 and first for total tackles.
Star veteran Tom Hawkins ranked equal fourth in the AFL for tackles inside 50, recording 35 for the season to showcase his two-way capabilities in the Cats' forward structure.
Small forward duo Luke Dahlhaus (28) and Brad Close (26) round out the podium for Geelong's best pressure forwards, with the latter quickly emerging as a reliable asset for the future at Kardinia Park.
For Scott to continue his competitive chase of an elusive second premiership with the Cats, Geelong will be hoping to see their forward pressure effortlessly transition into next year.
Tackles Inside 50: 209
Club leader: Mitch Georgiades (26)
The Power come in at No.1 for tackles inside 50 for the 2021 season, an attribute that played a substantial role in finishing a week short of the grand final.
With 13 players recording 10 or more tackles in attack throughout the course of this season, Ken Hinkley was able to rely on the constant waves of forward pressure his side were able to emit.
Young forward Mitch Georgiades comes in at No.1 for Port Adelaide and equal 19th in the competition, proving Hinkley's squad is spread with players able to place opposition defenders under the pump.
Tackling machine Willem Drew (23), star forward Charlie Dixon (21) and young gun Connor Rozeee (17) also led the charge for the Power's forward pressure in 2021.
Ranking second in the league for total tackles this season, the Power are another club that will be looking to retain this string in their bow for 2022 as they build on their premiership credentials.
2021 AFL Tackles Inside 50 Rankings:
| Ranking | Team | Total Tackles | Tackles Inside 50 |
| 1 | Port Adelaide | 1089 | 209 |
| 2 | Geelong | 1090 | 199 |
| 3 | St Kilda | 900 | 192 |
| 4 | Brisbane | 990 | 187 |
| 5 | Carlton | 899 | 170 |
| 6 | Collingwood | 970 | 164 |
| 7 | Western Bulldogs | 905 | 160 |
| 8 | Essendon | 842 | 156 |
| 9 | Richmond | 1083 | 154 |
| 10 | West Coast | 820 | 152 |
| 11 | Greater Western Sydney | 884 | 146 |
| 12 | Melbourne | 749 | 144 |
| 13 | Sydney | 935 | 142 |
| 14 | North Melbourne | 844 | 138 |
| 15 | Fremantle | 825 | 133 |
| 16 | Adelaide | 905 | 133 |
| 17 | Gold Coast | 828 | 131 |
| 18 | Hawthorn | 818 | 131 |