Clubs that look to build a strong case for the premiership will identify their ability to mount pressure on the opposition as a key barometer in their flag credentials.

Being able to lock the ball in your forward third and reset an onslaught aids a club's attack as much as it does their defence, building a constant threat on the scoreboard.

While the primary duty of the forward line is set to get the best result in front of goal, one of the more advantageous avenues to do so comes from implementing continuous and insufferable pressure in your own attacking end.

The term 'pressure forward' has become a required component for every side, with these archetypes utilised for their ability to defend in the forward 50 as much as their keen eye for goal.

With the ability to place constant forward pressure increasingly becoming a greater necessity, we look at the clubs leading the competition for tackles inside forward 50.

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5. Carlton

Tackles Inside 50: 170
Club leader: Patrick Cripps (18)

The Blues manage to rank fifth overall in 2021 for tackles inside 50 despite not having a single player record more than 18 tackles in attack for the year, with co-captain Patrick Cripps ranking 60th in the league while being No.1 at Ikon Park.

Carlton's pressure across the rest of the field failed to inspire, however their ability to lock down the ball within their attacking third sees them placed in the top third of the competition.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 6: Scott Pendlebury of the Magpies and Patrick Cripps of the Blues compete for the ball during the 2018 AFL round 03 match between the Carlton Blues and the Collingwood Magpies at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on April 6, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)

The results show the Blues' forward pressure is a spread workload when compared to other clubs, with the likes of Eddie Betts (17 tackles inside 50), Matt Owies (16) and Harry McKay (15) also leading the charge in forward pressure at Carlton.

With Betts departing, the Blues will look to quickly fill the void left by the veteran goalsneak, with Owies showing plenty of pressure and impact on the scoreboard from his 13 appearances in 2021.

For Michael Voss to lead his new club back to the September action, the Lions great will be hoping to have the Blues continue their strong forward pressure into the 2022 season.

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