Melbourne's best tackelers.....

[Nicho 1]

The game against the Crows showed that Jonesey is quickly becoming our best tackeler.

So it made me think of which demons consistently lay good strong tackels and not pissweak ones that let the opposition dispose of the ball anyway

My opinion of our best tackelers are;

Daniel Bell

James Mcdonald

Colin Slyvia

Nathan Jones

Matthew Bate

Aaron Davey

Jeff White

Brad Green

Matthew Whelan

Brent Moloney

Byron Pickett

Simon Godfrey

and maybe even Clint Batram

However this still is sufficent. We need 22 strong tackelers to go to the next level.

What do you guys think?

[Jaded No More 57,820]

Junior is sloppy at times.

Bell, Jones, Whelan and Sylvia would be my top 4.

When they tackle you, you stay tackled!

[Jarka 767]

I don't think Davey is a great tackler, more often than not when chasing he pushes the guy in the back rather than properly tackling.

[beelzebub 22,225]

not sure how many ever get up in in a hurry after bagged by Byron....shame he's not fighting fit !!

[Kit Walker 207]

Junior is sloppy at times.

Bell, Jones, Whelan and Sylvia would be my top 4.

When they tackle you, you stay tackled!

After a quick look at the stats, interesting to see that Jones has made 47 tackles and only had 1 free kick for him this year. Doesn't sound right but if it is does that mean he's not that effective. Or maybe too effective!

[Demonic_Inferno 17]

I'd say Wheels. His rugby background shows!

[Deano74 156]

I don't think Davey is a great tackler, more often than not when chasing he pushes the guy in the back rather than properly tackling.

Davey became one of the elite chase down tacklers in the AFL, however players are more aware what he is capable of, thus get rid of the ball just before he arrives, that is why he is pushing them as they kick, but any form of pressure is better than allowing them free reign.

[Bang Bang Bang 5,455]

Top 4 for quality (rather than quantity) would be Belly, Whelan, Sylvia and Jones in no particular order. No doubt.

[Demon15 0]

[quote name='Kit Walker' date='Jun 5 2007, 01:12 PM' post='79068]

After a quick look at the stats, interesting to see that Jones has made 47 tackles and only had 1 free kick for him this year. Doesn't sound right but if it is does that mean he's not that effective. Or maybe too effective!

[Kit Walker 207]

That's the point I was making. He has only had 4 free kicks against this year as well so he's obviously not falling into them while tackling.

Shows he has a very good centre of gravity, particularly for a 19 year old.

[tooly 0]

So Wrong!!! one off my mates played against us 3 or 4 years ago and said

David Netiz hurts you so bad you wish you were somwere else.

[Gorgoroth 12,319]

neitz would hurt but it doesnt mean he is the best, best i think means you tackle them well, they dont dispose of it properly or have no chance to and that you dont give away the free

bell, jones, wheels

sylvia still gives a few too many frees away in his tackles

[Jarka 767]

Davey became one of the elite chase down tacklers in the AFL, however players are more aware what he is capable of, thus get rid of the ball just before he arrives, that is why he is pushing them as they kick, but any form of pressure is better than allowing them free reign.

I disagree, right from his very first game he did it, grab some old highlights of him. I'm surprised he doesn't get pulled up for it more.

[Kit Walker 207]

If the AFL was serious about its hands in the back rule, there would be a down field free every time that happened.

400 Free Kicks a game!

[BrownlowBruce 1]

davey always gets payed free kicks against...

[Doggo 32]

I thought Bartram showed great technique and determination in his tackling last season. Especially considering the stature of the young man, he was ultra impressive.

My top 6 for tacklers at the club, in no particular order, would go: Bell (probably the best tackler at the club. Good combo of fast chasing and inside strength in tackles... strong and determined with great technique, and really makes them count and hurts the opposition), Whelan (rugby background really shows... loves to hurt his man), Bartram (they call him junkyard dog for a reason, great chaser and inside tackler), Pickett (he is Byron, what more can i say?), McDonald (for the sheer amount of tackles he lays moreso than for his technique) & Godders (always there to lay a strong tackle playing inside).

Sylvia unlucky to miss out, but i feel sometimes he can be a touch too crude at times, ditto Jones. His technique could prob be a bit better at this stage, but will definately improve with experience. Davey would be the number 1 'chase-down' tackler at the club, no doubt about that, but inside is brushed away too easily.

[davey_magik 1]

Flash IMO aside from chasing people down is a poor tackler, as he tends to run full pelt at players with the ball from front or side on and I love his enthusiasm but players with composure know they can sidestep him with ease as he is travelling so fast.

Beamer is also a so-so tackler, he goes for the bump too much, though I think that is gradually leaving his game.

Col is an excellent tackle, a touch too vigorous at times but he kills you when he grabs you. I love the Kid's competitive spirit.

Bell, Whelan and Bartram are all also very good at tackling, Bartram this year ran down Milne in the goalsquare in the 1st quarter in Round 1, and people are talking about Bell running down Welsh in the square this week, he also ran down Montagna about 15 out last year in the elimination final against the Saints as well.

[Alan Smithee 0]

Not saying Sylvia is the 'best of the best' here but on Saturday V Crows he laid a pearlour on some bloke (can't remember who) who coughed it right up allowing Bate to swoop, twist and land it through the big sticks. Brilliant stuff. Inspirational.

[CarnTheDees 52]

If the AFL was serious about its hands in the back rule, there would be a down field free every time that happened.

The hands in the back rule only applies to marking contests

[gOLLy 401]

Pickett?

[deanox 8,582]

The hands in the back rule only applies to marking contests

did they bring in a specific new rule that says "in a marking contest...." or did they change change the wording/interpretation of the old one? if they changed the old one it applies to everything, not such marking contests.

if it only applies to marking contests, you could do whatever you want to someone if:

• the kick was touched
• the kick was a grubber
• it is a long sweeping handball
• it is a ruck contest and the ball is being tapped down or punched forward
• if you are sheparding a player from goal, not trying to mark it

sounds a bit silly to me.

[deanox 8,582]

actually i just found the following link:

AFLPA section on rules

it says that there are "stricter interpretations of the Laws of two aspects of the Game for the 2007 season, including stricter policing of hands in the back in marking contests and relating to dangerous tackles such as by unnecessarily and dangerously driving an opponent into the ground with their arms pinned.'

sounds like it isnt a new rule. it also sounds like under the stricter interpretation, byron pickett should have been in trouble. JJC you were right but i still disagree with you and any stricter interpretation.

[deanox 8,582]

i posted this in another thread but it seems appropriate here...i got this from the 2007 laws of the game found on the aflpa website...

15.4.5 Prohibited Contact and Payment of Free Kick

A field Umpire shall award a Free Kick against a Player where he or

she is satisfied that the Player has made Prohibited Contact with an

opposition Player.

A Player makes Prohibited Contact with an opposition Player if he

or she:

...

(B ) pushes an opposition Player in the back, unless such contact

is incidental to a Marking contest and the Player is legitimately

Marking or attempting to Mark the football;

[CarnTheDees 52]

did they bring in a specific new rule that says "in a marking contest...." or did they change change the wording/interpretation of the old one? if they changed the old one it applies to everything, not such marking contests.

if it only applies to marking contests, you could do whatever you want to someone if:

• the kick was touched
• the kick was a grubber
• it is a long sweeping handball
• it is a ruck contest and the ball is being tapped down or punched forward
• if you are sheparding a player from goal, not trying to mark it

sounds a bit silly to me.

You're right, not a new rule, but the new interpretation only applies to marking contests... As distinct from hands-in-the-back contact in general play which is still allowed.

[deanox 8,582]

You're right, not a new rule, but the new interpretation only applies to marking contests... As distinct from hands-in-the-back contact in general play which is still allowed.

dont you think thats a bit ridiculous? and as i said, do they distinguish all the above cases, included touched play on calls when the balls in the air from a marking contest?