bpurple, I was replying directly to Agarn's question, not commenting on the merit of Grey's performance.
I would say that 'Tackles' is a stat which I don't pay a lot of notice to.
A brilliant tackle (at the right moment) is one of our game's great highlights.
A mountain of tackles is usually a sign of:
i. one team being second to the ball all day.
ii. a wet day with lots of scrimmages and stoppages.
iii. two teams with poor disposal skills, missing their targets, resulting in lots of scrimmages and stoppages.
The top 5 tackling teams this season are: Port 557, Hawthorn 539, Collingwood 524, Sydney 518 and Freo 508.
Port are having an up and down season, Hawthorn are 5-2 and could easily be 2-5, Collingwood are rubbish, Sydney like lots of stoppages (and have played a couple of wet weather games) and well you know how we're travelling.
At the foot of the tackles table are: GWS 439 and Western B's 428.
Two very fast teams who use the ball well and hit their targets more often than not.
Tackling is a basic and very important skill. Keeping track of tackle counts not so much. Use the ball better and you won't need to fight for it on the ground.
Grey's performances have been very meritorious. Looks a real goer and hard as a cat's head.
