Richmond is clear No.1 in the AFL for broken tackles (afl site)

[one-eyed]

Tigers tackling Dusty's 'don't argue' crown

Mitch Cleary
afl.com.au
Apr 18, 2018

RICHMOND hero Dustin Martin's trademark 'don't argue' is rubbing off on teammates as the Tigers look to add more layers to their premiership defence.

Last year Martin was streets ahead of the competition for broken tackles as the Tigers won the flag, but this season more of his teammates are starting to follow suit.

After four rounds, Richmond sits a clear No.1 in the AFL with 39 broken tackles, eight more than Geelong in second place.

And captain Trent Cotchin looks to have studied Martin's tapes in the off-season, sitting equal with last year's Brownlow medallist on seven broken tackles – the most in the competition.

Reece Conca joins a host of players on six, while Geelong's Patrick Dangerfield is on five from just three matches, according to Champion Data statistics.

Last year Dangerfield finished a staggering 44 broken tackles behind Martin's tally of 68 in the home and away season, with Dan Butler the next best Tiger with 13.

In a year in which Martin took home every individual award possible, he also posted a new broken tackles match record, recording eight in the Tigers' preliminary final win over Greater Western Sydney.

It will be a sleepless few nights for Melbourne leading into their Anzac Day Eve date with the Tigers. The dismal Demons had 39 fewer tackles than Hawthorn despite losing by 67 points on Sunday.

AFL BROKEN TACKLES BY TEAM (2018)

1. Richmond           39
2. Geelong              31
3. Sydney               27
4. Melbourne           26
5. Port Adelaide       25
6. GWS                   24
7. Adelaide              20
8. Essendon             19
9. West Coast           19
10. Collingwood        17
11. Hawthorn           17
12. Carlton               16
13. Western Bulldogs 13
14. North Melbourne  12
15. Gold Coast          11
16. Brisbane             10
17. Fremantle           10
18. St Kilda                8

AFL BROKEN TACKLES LEADERS (2018)

Trent Cotchin         7
Dustin Martin         7
Reece Conca          6
Lance Franklin        6
James Harmes        6
Christian Petracca   6
Jed Bews                5
Luke Breust            5
Patrick Dangerfield  5
Isaac Heeney          5
Luke Shuey             5
Jake Stringer           5

RICHMOND BROKEN TACKLES LEADERS (2017 HOME AND AWAY)

Dustin Martin        68 (1st in comp)
Dan Butler            13 (eq 27th)
Trent Cotchin        13 (eq 27th)
Jason Castagna     12 (eq 36th)
Kamdyn McIntosh   8 (eq 68th)

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-04-18/tigers-tackling-dustys-dont-argue-crown