Since Richmond won the 2017 AFL premiership with a forward-line consisting of just one player over 186 centimetres, ‘forward pressure’ has become a buzzword amongst the competition.
The need for forwards to be defensively efficient has become as important as ever, with defensive KPI’s becoming more heavily weighted.
For North Melbourne, last season saw its forwards apply outstanding pressure in the attacking half, forcing turnovers which eventuated in scoring opportunities.
In 2018, the Roos ranked third in the league for post-clearance pressure (pressure in general play), which is an impressive feat given the difficulty and talent it takes to corale the opposition in open play, compared to the congestion of a stoppage.
The instigators
The only way a side can generate these types of pressure numbers in general play is by speed, and the likes of Shaun Atley, Trent Dumont and Jy Simpkin operating through the middle of the ground helped significantly.
When it comes to overall applied pressure, North came in at seventh last season, a stark improvement on 2017, when it ranked 13th.
In the attacking half of the ground, the Roos were efficient, ranking fifth in forward half intercepts and sixth in total points from intercepts, proof that the side was not only applying physical pressure, but scoreboard pressure as well as a result.
Having electric small forwards in Shaun Atley and Kayne Turner is a big reason why these numbers were so impressive.
In 2018, Atley ranked as ‘elite’ for pressure acts, and Turner was considered ‘above average’ for pressure points and tackles.
Speaking to Kayne Turner, the 23-year-old says forward 50 pressure will be high on the agenda again for the side in 2019.
“We have the pressure acts (to measure our defensive side of the game), and I think we’ll have a big focus on that this year for each player,” he told North Media.
“It’ll be interesting to see how new and different measurements will work out, and how I’ll rank.”
The up-and-comer
For draftee Curtis Taylor, the importance of pressure is being drilled into him early.
“At the moment I’m just trying to learn the way we play and get my head around the different methods we play, in particular that press in the forward=line,” he said.
This role isn’t exclusive to the smaller forwards, with emerging key position player Nick Larkey also refining his craft.
“I’ve been working on my the defensive side of my game a lot, so getting back to help the defenders and doing the same inside forward 50,” Larkey added.
