THE WAY AFL clubs measure pressure have evolved rapidly in the past five years as the correlation between pressure applied and winning becomes stronger.
The analysis goes well beyond just tackles, spoils and smothers, with Champion Data introducing pressure points in 2011.
The points system is a key tool for clubs and awards appropriately weighted points for each of the four 'pressure acts'.
Points are awarded for corralling (1.2), chasing (1.5), closing (2.75) and physical pressure (3.75).
On this measure, Hawthorn midfielder Liam Shiels is the AFL's pressure king, but who applies the most heat in each area of the ground for your club?
Pressure – particularly inside 50 – was a hallmark of North's blistering start to the season. The Roos are still very good at putting opponents under the pump, though, ranking sixth overall in the League (+3.8 differential) across the ground.
Backline: The Roos have missed Luke McDonald, with the injured youngster the club's best pressure defender averaging 9.7 pressure points per game (AFL No.23). North's backline pressure is fifth-best in the League (+8.4 differential).
Midfield: No surprises skipper Andrew Swallow leads the way here. The tackling machine averages 41.6 pressure points (AFL No.8) and North's midfield brigade is ranked sixth overall (+3.0 differential) for applying heat to opponents.
Forwards: Brad Scott is a big Lindsay Thomas fan and the small forward does his bit by setting the standard for pressure inside 50 (14.8 points, AFL No.10) at North. The Roos are rated sixth overall (+2.7) in this highly-valued area compared to other teams.
Pressure King: Andrew Swallow – 54.3 pressure points anywhere on the ground (No.9 in the AFL).
– By Travis King
While they are in the middle of the pack for tackles (ranked 11th), the Crows excel at applying pressure across the ground. They are ranked second in the League for pressure points with an average differential of 5.3.
Backline: Luke Brown is the Crows' No.1 pressure player in defence, with 10.8 pressure points a game in this area (No.14 in the AFL). The Crows are ranked fourth overall (with a differential of 10.7) as their under-rated defence continues to surprise.
Midfield: Rory Sloane leads the Crows in this area, ranked second in the competition with 48 pressure points per game. He's had plenty of support with the Crows third overall with a differential of 7.1 per game.
Forwards: Eddie Betts is fourth in the Coleman Medal race, but he's also fifth in pressure up forward, with 16.3 pressure points a game. This is the only area where the Crows are outside the top eight, sitting ninth with a differential of -1.1 per game.
Pressure king: Rory Sloane – 61.6 pressure points a game anywhere on the ground (No.2 in the AFL)
- By Lee Gaskin
It's no surprise the Lions have struggled to win games this season if these figures are any indication – they're ranked last in the League for whole ground pressure.
Backline: Veteran full-back Daniel Merrett is showing his younger defenders the way, ranked fourth in the entire competition with 12.2 pressure points a game. He has little help though, with the team ranked 17th in that area of the ground.
Midfield: Captain Tom Rockliff has had an up-and-down season, but his pressure hasn't wavered. Rockliff is ranked sixth in the AFL (42.1), but the Lions still battle in the midfield, ranked 15th.
Forwards: The Lions' forward-half pressure is horrible (ranked 18th), but vice-captain Dayne Zorko has led by example in his small stints in the front half, averaging 10.5 pressure points a game.
Pressure king: Dayne Zorko – ranked fourth in the AFL with 59.5 a game.
- By Michael Whiting
Brendon Bolton wants the Blues to be hard to play against and that is reflected in their ranking for pressure points at No.9, with an average differential of -0.3.
They rank above top-eight teams the Sydney Swans, West Coast and the Western Bulldogs.
Backline: Injured Irishman Ciaran Byrne leads the Blues for pressure in defence with 9.6 points for an overall ranking of 25th in the AFL. But as a team Carlton lags behind in this area, ranking 14th with a pressure differential of -7.0 a game.
Midfield: This is the leading zone for pressure from the Blues, ranking seventh with a differential of 2.5. Young star Patrick Cripps leads the way with 39.2 pressure points, ranked 14th in this zone in the AFL.
Forwards: Not surprisingly Carlton is struggling, ranked 11th with a pressure point differential of -2.9. Although ranked only 47th in the AFL, speedster Dennis Armfield is the best for the Blues with 9.9 pressure points.
Pressure king: Patrick Cripps – 51.2 pressure points a game anywhere on the ground, ranking him 15th in the AFL.
- By Howard Kotton
Team defence has been an issue for the Pies this season but they pride themselves on applying pressure and are ranked fourth in the AFL in that category this season with a rating of 4.2.
Backline: Forgotten full-back Jack Frost, who has played in the VFL since round 12, has been Collingwood's best pressure player in defence with an average rating of 11.3 (10th in the AFL). The Pies' 15th ranking in this area hasn't been due to a lack of effort, but largely because their backmen have been too often opened up and separated.
Midfield: Hard-working runner Jack Crisp leads the way here, averaging 39.2 (14th overall), no mean feat in a group that includes Steele Sidebottom and Scott Pendlebury. The Pies are fourth overall.
Forwards: Going back to Mick Malthouse's reign as coach, forward pressure has always been a Magpie strength, and this year they are comfortably fourth, with little man Jarryd Blair paying his way with a team-high rating of 12 (24th).
Pressure King: Jack Crisp (56.2 pressure points in 2016 – seventh in the AFL)
- By Ben Collins
Despite its inability to field its best team all year, the Bombers have been more competitive than many would have expected for the most part. They are ranked seventh in the competition for whole-ground pressure, with an average differential of 2.6.
Backline: Michael Hartley's emergence this season as a key defender has been important to the Bombers, and his statistics show him to have been an excellent pick-up. He ranks first in the competition for defensive 50 pressure points, averaging 14.9 a game.
Midfield: Craig Bird's experience and senior body have offered the Bombers some maturity around the ball this season after losing many of their in-and-under players to 12-month suspensions. Bird ranks first at the club (and fourth overall in the AFL) for midfield pressure points with 43.6 a game.
Forwards: Essendon has been crying out for a small forward who applies pressure as well as kicks goals, and it might have found one in Orazio Fantasia. Fantasia has booted 28 goals this season and is also the Bombers' forward-50 pressure star, averaging 14.3 points a game in that area of the ground.
Pressure king: It should be no surprise the tenacious Zach Merrett leads the Bombers for pressure points (56.4 a game), which sees him ranked No.6 in the competition.
- By Callum Twomey
The Dockers’ pressure numbers are startling. They are ranked 17th overall for pressure differential. The staggering part is they are second in forward 50 pressure but last in midfield and defensive 50 pressure.
Backline: Lee Spurr is ranked No.5 in the AFL for defensive 50 pressure with 11.9 points. But the Dockers have a scarcely believable differential of -24.6 overall for the season, worse than the Brisbane Lions (-21.7).
Midfield: Lachie Neale is the highest-ranked Docker for midfield pressure but he is ranked 42nd overall (32.5 points). He is also leading the competition for total disposals. The team is again ranked last by some margin with a differential of -9.0 points.
Forwards: Chris Mayne leads a strong forward group that is delivering good forward 50 pressure. The Dockers are ranked No.2 in the AFL in the forward 50 behind GWS.
Pressure King: Chris Mayne - 49.3 pressure points a game anywhere on the ground (No.20 in the AFL)
- By Alex Malcolm
The fifth best team for pressure differential has improved this season. If the Cats are switched on defensively they have the silk to convert turnovers into goals.
Backline: The Cats lead the AFL for pressure in the back 50 with 19.8 points. They work together to close space, force quick disposals and cause turnovers. Their highest ranked player is Andrew Mackie at No.41.
Midfield: The fifth best midfield for applying pressure, they have been inconsistent at times. When they are on however they are hard to play against. Mark Blicavs, a tackling machine and defensive runner, leads the way.
Forwards: Although ranked 14th, West Coast and Western Bulldogs are ranked lower, showing good teams can thrive without dominating in this area. Tom Hawkins is the sixth highest ranked forward for pressure and it's an area the Cats can improve.
Pressure King: Mark Blicavs (49.2 pressure points to be ranked 22)
- By Peter Ryan
The Suns want to build their game around pressure and have generally improved as the year has progressed. They're ranked 12th in the league for whole ground pressure.
Backline: Small defender Jarrod Harbrow leads the way in a strong area of the ground for Gold Coast. Harbrow is ranked seventh in the AFL (11.5 pressure points a game), while the Suns are ranked 10th, but have a positive pressure differential of 1.5.
Midfield: In an area of the ground where the Suns have had little consistency with their personnel, Dion Prestia (34.8 a game) leads the way for the 14th-ranked team.
Forwards: Mature recruit Ryan Davis is a surprising leader in this category, showing his true value with 10.5 pressure points a game. Gold Coast is ranked 13th in the front half for pressure acts.
Pressure king: Dion Prestia – 47.7 a game, ranked 26th in the AFL.
- By Michael Whiting
The Giants are ranked No.1 as a forward group in the competition, but with their midfield just inside the top eight, and their defence in the bottom half of the League, overall they're ranked No.8 with an average differential of 1.8.
Backline: Heath Shaw is the Giants' No.1 pressure player in defence, with 8.6 pressure points a game in this area (No.47 in the AFL). Overall the defensive zone isn't great for GWS as a team, they're ranked No.11 with a differential of 0.5.
Midfield: Ruckman Shane Mumford leads the midfield with 32.7 pressure points a game in this zone (No.38 in the AFL). The onball division is solid at GWS but needs work; it’s ranked No.8 in the AFL with a pressure differential of 1.4 a game.
Forwards: Devon Smith's average of 15.6 pressure points a game in the forward line is ranked No.8 in the AFL. The Giants' forwards are the No.1 ranked group in the AFL with a pressure differential of 10.4 a game.
Pressure King: Shane Mumford – 44.4 pressure points a game anywhere on the ground (No.44 in the AFL)
- By Adam Curley
The Hawks rank No.1 in the AFL for team pressure across the whole ground with 9.9 pressure points.
Backline: Josh Gibson leads the Hawks with 9.5 points and is ranked No.28 in the AFL. As a team the Hawks rank third with 8.3 points.
Midfield: Liam Shiels is the top-ranked midfielder in the AFL when it comes to pressure with 51.7 points. As a team the Hawks rank first with 10.2 points.
Forwards: Paul Puopolo is the top-ranked forward in the AFL when it comes to pressure with 19.2 points. As a team the Hawks ranked second with 15.5 points.
Pressure king: Liam Shiels – 68.4 pressure points a game anywhere on the ground (No.1 in the AFL)
- By Ashley Browne
Despite ironing out some key deficiencies in its style of play, Melbourne is ranked in the bottom four teams in the competition for pressure differential. The Demons sit in 15th, with an average differential of -3.7 pressure points per game.
Backline: Josh Wagner is one of a number of young players to be given opportunities in defence and has been the Demons' best pressure player with 10.8 points per game, 13th in the AFL.
Midfield: Jack Viney is a hugely combative competitor so there is little surprise he is ranked as Melbourne's No.1 pressure player through the midfield (41.9 points per game). He is ranked No.7 in the AFL for pressure and No.5 in the AFL for total tackles (131).
Forwards: Jeff Garlett was dropped earlier in the season for his lack of forward pressure. But he has adjusted his attitude and is now averaging 12.6 pressure points per game (No.20 in the AFL).
Pressure King: Jack Viney - 54.1 pressure points a game anywhere on the ground (No.7 in the AFL).
- By Ben Guthrie
While they are third in the League for tackles, the Power are only in the middle of the pack when it comes to applying pressure. They are 10th overall with a differential of -1.5 per game.
Backline: NAB Rising Star nominee Darcy Byrne-Jones leads the Power with 11.4 pressure points per game in this area, ranked eighth in the AFL. But the Power are only ranked 12th with a differential of 0.2 per game.
Midfield: Captain Travis Boak leads the Power in this area with 37.1 pressure points per game (16th in the AFL). As a team, the Power are ranked 11th in this area with a differential of -1.8 per game.
Forwards: Tenacious small forward Jake Neade leads the Power in this area with 16.8 pressure points (third in the League). This is the only area where the Power are in the top eight, coming in at eighth with a differential of 0.1 per game.
Pressure king: Travis Boak – 50.9 pressure points a game anywhere on the ground (No.16 in the AFL).
- By Lee Gaskin
The Tigers rank No.18 in the AFL for tackles, and when you dig a bit deeper the story doesn't get much better. They are ranked No.13 in the League for pressure points, with an average differential of -2.9.
Backline: Bachar Houli is the Tigers' No.1 pressure player in defence, with 10.5 pressure points a game in this area (No.19 in the AFL). Overall it is the only zone the Tigers rank inside the top eight as a team, coming in at No.6 with a differential of 8.2.
Midfield: Captain Trent Cotchin leads the midfield with 33.8 pressure points a game in this zone (No.33 in the AFL). The engine room is a glaring weakness for the Tigers, who are ranked No.17 in the AFL with a pressure differential of -7.8 a game.
Forwards: Sam Lloyd's average of 9.8 pressure points a game in the forward line ranks No.51 in the AFL but No.1 at Richmond. As a group, the Tigers' forwards are ranked No.10 in the AFL with a pressure differential of -1.6 a game.
Pressure king: Trent Cotchin – 44 pressure points a game anywhere on the ground (No.46 in the AFL)
- By Nathan Schmook
Alan Richardson's game plan relies heavily on pressuring the opposition, and with the Saints having had a successful season considering pre-season expectations, it's no surprise they are ranked third in the AFL for pressure points, averaging 4.7 more points per game than their opposition.
Backline: The best Saint at applying pressure in the back 50 has been Jarryn Geary, averaging 11.1 pressure points per game, which has him ranked 11th in the competition. St Kilda is 13th for pressuring in defence, falling an average of 4.2 points per game short of its opposition.
Midfield: This is where the Saints do their best work, ranked No.2 in the AFL with 7.6 more points than their opponents. Star midfielder Jack Steven leads the way with 42.5 pressure points in that area per match, and he is fifth in the competition for pressuring through that zone.
Forwards: Darren Minchington can be excellent when in possession, but he comes to the fore when the Saints don't have the ball. He averages 12.9 pressure points per game in the forward line, ranked 16th in the AFL. St Kilda is seventh for pressuring in attack, with an average differential of 1.3 over its opposition.
Pressure King: Jack Steven – 53.7 pressure points per match, all over the ground (No. 11 in the AFL)
– Dinny Navaratnam
The Swans' star-studded midfield is regarded as the best in the League, but it’s well down in the pressure ranking, with the team overall ranked No.11, with an average differential of -1.9.
Backline: Co-captain Jarrad McVeigh is the Swans' No.1 pressure player in defence, with 12.3 pressure points a game in this area (No.3 in the AFL). Overall the defensive zone is quite solid for the Swans, ranked No.8 with a differential of 5.0.
Midfield: Luke Parker leads the midfield with 40 pressure points a game in this zone (No.12 in the AFL). This area overall is the Swans' weakest; they're ranked No.12 in the AFL with a pressure differential of -3.8 a game.
Forwards: Veteran Ben McGlynn has an average of 13.1 pressure points a game in the forward line and is ranked No.15 in the AFL. The Swans' forward line is their best zone, they're ranked No.5 in the AFL with a pressure differential of 3.1 a game.
Pressure King: Luke Parker – 53 pressure points a game anywhere on the ground (No. 12 in the AFL)
- By Adam Curley
The Eagles are in the bottom five in the competition for total pressure this season, ranked No.14 overall (-3.6 points). Their defensive 50 pressure is elite (No.3 overall) but their midfield and forward 50 pressure is poor (No.16 for both)
Backline: Sam Butler is the Eagles' best with 9.2 points but he is No.36 overall, showing how even the contribution amongst the Eagles' defence. They are ranked third overall (12.9 points) behind Geelong and Hawthorn.
Midfield: Matt Priddis is the leading tackler in the AFL, fourth for contested possessions and ranked third for midfield pressure. Priddis is carrying an enormous load, as the Eagles' overall midfield pressure differential is -5.8.
Forwards: Jamie Cripps has had an excellent year. He's kicked 27 goals and he's No.2 in the AFL for forward 50 pressure. The Eagles are No.16 overall, with Essendon actually ahead of them.
Pressure King: Matt Priddis - 60 pressure points a game anywhere on the ground (No.3 in the AFL)
- By Alex Malcolm
Backline: It should come as no surprise Dale Morris leads the Dogs' defence with 10.9 pressure per game, making the veteran twelfth across the League. The team as a whole are sitting 16th, and that lowly position is mainly because they have good intercept players like Easton Wood.
Midfield: Whether he's laying a tackle or winning a contested ball, Tom Liberatore is the Bulldogs' best at 36.6. As a team the Dogs break even with a differential of 0 (10th overall).
Forwards: Sitting 17th is mainly due to the Dogs' ongoing efficiency in attack, with their lack of proficiency allowing the opposition to run the ball out easily. Marcus Bontempelli is the Bulldogs' best at 12.1 (23rd overall).
Pressure king: Tom Liberatore – 48.4 pressure points a game anywhere on the ground (No.23 in the AFL)
- By Ryan Davidson
