LAST year Sydney Swans veteran Jude Bolton quietly set a new AFL/VFL benchmark for tackling, moving past former teammate Brett Kirk.

With 154 tackles for the 2011 season, Bolton reached 1,283 for his career, establishing a new mark since the statistic started being recorded in 1981.

He has continued his strong tackling ways in 2012, picking up 32 more so far this year, but Bolton might have to keep an eye on another young Swan who is proving his tackling prowess.

Six rounds into the season, Craig Bird has emerged as the AFL's new leading tackler.

He has 49 tackles this year at an average of more than eight a game, including a career-best 11 against North Melbourne in round four.

Bird, who also played rugby league while growing up in Nelson Bay in northern NSW, has worked hard at a craft that is ingrained in every member of the Swans.

"I haven't really thought too much about it, it's just something that's come about with the whole defensive mindset and the game style we're playing," Bird said.

"Obviously you work at trying to improve all aspects of your game, but tackling is something I've prided myself on my whole career.

"It's also something that's come pretty naturally to me, playing a bit of rugby league has helped, and this year it's just gone to a new level."

While Bird is leading the way this year, he is some distance from Bolton's all-time single-game record of 19 tackles, set in the Swans' victory over West Coast in round three last year.

Bolton has been an inspiration for the 23-year-old Bird from the time he joined the club via the 2007 NAB AFL Draft.

"He's always been right up there with his tackling," Bird said of Bolton.

"He's had some big games with around 20 tackles last year.

"The way he attacks the footy and his ability to get in there and win contested footy and his pressure with his tackles is something I've tried to model my game on.

"I definitely take a leaf out of his book."

Stress fractures in his feet were a major issue for Bird before some modified boots solved that problem.

He has since played 28 of the club's past 29 matches, including both finals last year, missing just one match due a minor knee injury.

A proven tagger, Bird has been used in a variety of roles this season, picking up a career-best 27 possessions against Greater Western Sydney in round one and adding six goals for the season.

"I think he's had a really solid year," coach John Longmire said.

"He's the No. 1 tackler in the competition, so his performances have been really consistent and he's been able to play a number of roles.

"When he goes forward he's been able to kick goals, when he's played in the midfield he's been a really solid contributor for us offensively and defensively.

"He's had a consistent year."

Bird believes the improvement of some of the Swans' youngsters, including Luke Parker, Lewis Jetta and Dan Hannebery, has been a key to their 5-1 start to the year.

Bird is very much a part of that group and is now seeking another milestone - his first victory at the MCG.

He is winless in five attempts at the ground ahead of Saturday's clash with Richmond.

"I haven't won there in my career, so it hasn't been great," Bird said.

"But we don't think about it too much. We just haven't played well there.

"Hopefully we can put four quarters together this week and get a win against Richmond."


Leading AFL tacklers in 2012

 
PlayerGamesTacklesAverage
Craig Bird (Syd)649
8.2
Ben Howlett (Ess)6488.0
Lenny Hayes (StK)6457.5
Dom Cassisi (PA)6437.2
David Armitage (StK)6416.8
Liam Picken (WB)6416.8
Jimmy Bartel (Geel)6406.7
Clinton Jones (StK)6406.7
Shane Tuck (Rich)6396.5
Nathan Van Berlo (Adel)6386.3
Nathan Foley (Rich)6386.3

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club