Following the Cats loss to Essendon, questions were being asked about the Cats tackling intent.

With just 13 tackles to half-time, the criticism from media, supporters and even coach Chris Scott was immediate. Talk of “bruise-free” football was exclaimed. But delving deeper into the Cats tackling in 2017, the truth is actually a lot different.

In 2017, the Cats as a team are averaging more tackles per game (73.4) than at any time in the past 30 years. Whilst some may think that this number is helped by the club-record 134 tackles against the Bulldogs, the round three clash with North Melbourne saw the Cats only register 50 tackles for the game alongside the Essendon game where the Cats finished with 40. And so far this year the Cats are ranked fourth in the AFL for tackles per game.

In recent weeks, two players have stood out for their tackling intensity. Scott Selwood has become the first player in VFL/AFL history to record consecutive games of over 16 tackles whilst Jordan Murdoch has brought an increased aggression to his game that has seen him register 15 bone-crunching tackles over the last two weeks.

With 12 games to come for the Cats in 2017, the tackling intent will need to remain if the Cats are too stay ahead of the pack and the confined spaces of Simonds Stadium where five of those games are to be played will help.

In 2016, the Cats exceeded their season average for tackles in a game of 69.8 in seven of the eight games played at Simonds Stadium. Whilst there is nothing new about the Cats playing well at Simonds Stadium, the stats show the Cats are also a better tackling side at the venue.

Tackle kings