CARLTON: Marc Murphy
Marc Murphy's leadership is reflected in his commitment to the defensive side of his game. The Carlton skipper leads his team in pressure acts this season (156) ahead of Dale Thomas (101) and Ed Curnow (100), and is fourth in the AFL for tackles (53). Curnow has built his game on defensive pressure and is ranked sixth in the competition for average tackles a game in 2014 (7.6). Sam Rowe's development as a defender has been impressive and he is fourth in the AFL in 2014 for one-percenters (64), with veteran key defender Michael Jamison equal 12th (48). David Ellard has also been a revelation in attack this season and is a clear leader at Carlton in forward-50 tackles (10). But no player at Visy Park applies more pressure all over the ground than Murphy. - Nick Bowen

COLLINGWOOD: Dayne Beams
Midfielder Dayne Beams leads the club in pressure acts (147) and tackles (45), and is third - behind Tyson Goldsack and Jarryd Blair - for tackles inside forward 50, with nine. Given that Beams also leads Collingwood for disposals (28.1 per game), it is some effort to lead those statistics, underlining the all-round nature of his game. Beams has played in 71 wins in his 98 games with Collingwood and it is difficult to overstate how important his return to full fitness has been to the Magpies' efforts so far this season. - Peter Ryan

ESSENDON: Dyson Heppell

Heading into the 2014 campaign, Dermott Brereton singled out young GWS midfielder Treloar for special praise. He believes Treloar is a rare breed, a player that can use his pace to get into space, but also relishes the tough stuff in the middle. He is one of the Giants' main ball winners, but also gets the nod as their leading pressure player. He tops the club with 50 tackles, good enough for equal-seventh in the AFL, and his 157 pressure acts are behind only Tom Scully (164) for GWS. Stephen Coniglio has raised his game this year, third at the club for pressure acts (154) and third in tackles (5.4 per game). Heath Shaw has proven a more than handy addition to the backline, leading the way with 11 intercept score launches this season. But for overall pressure, Treloar leads the way. - James Dampney

He's Hawthorn's shortest player, but 173cm Paul Puopolo stands taller than any other Hawk when it comes to pressure. The tenacious forward leads the reigning premiers for pressure acts (159), tackles (35) and tackles inside 50m (12). Jordan Lewis (150 pressure acts, 30 tackles), tagger Will Langford (126 pressure acts, 30 tackles) and Cyril Rioli (25 tackles) are the best of the rest, but can't dethrone the Hawks' 'pressure king'. A typical Puopolo moment came in the Easter Monday loss to Geelong. After his first attempted tackle was shrugged-off by Joel Selwood, the pocket dynamo bounced to his feet and dragged down the Cats' skipper. The holding the ball decision denied Selwood a forward 50m entry and lifted the Hawks late in the third quarter. – Travis King

 

Bail fills a very specific role for Melbourne. The Demons love his pressure and his ability to cause turnovers, highlighted by the fact he heads the list of pressure acts (159) at the club. Daniel Cross' determination is a given and his club-leading tackle count of 50 should come as little surprise. Bail is second on that table with 47 for the year, bumped up by the 10 he laid against Carlton in his club's first win of the year in round four. That day, the Demons out-tackled the Blues 84-65 and Bail was clearly among his side's best. – Ben Guthrie

Rohan Bail has filled a specific role for Paul Roos perfectly this year. Picture: AFL Media

As a second year player, Ollie Wines' role in the Power's midfield is remarkable. The 19-year-old is clearly the club's most prolific winner of the contested ball, with his 104 contested possessions ranking him seventh in the League. He's also leading the Power for pressure acts so far this year (173) ahead of Brad Ebert (161) and Travis Boak (147). He's only just behind Ebert as one of the Power's best tacklers (5.5 a game) and he's leading the club for clearances with just over five a game. But not only is Wines imposing himself inside the contest, his status as Port's 'pressure king' is enhanced by his ability to hit the scoreboard when his side needs it most. He booted a crucial goal late in last year's elimination final and another in round one against Carlton to keep the Power in touch. - Harry Thring

Reece Conca has spent the past two season developing his inside game and leads the Tigers for pressure acts from former Port Adelaide midfielder Matt Thomas. Conca has also stepped up in the absence of Jake King, who topped the Tigers for tackles inside-50 last year, and the young midfielder has delivered 11 to be second to just Shane Edwards. In total tackles, Conca has twice made double figures this year – in round three against the Western Bulldogs and round six against Hawthorn – which sees him easily lead the club with 50 after seven games. It's been a slow build this year for Conca after hamstring tendon surgery at the end of last season, but his contested game and ability to exert pressure has been impressive. - Jennifer Phelan

It's hard to go past the often-maligned Clint Jones, who is having a good season after his career seemed to be winding down last year. In 2014, he leads the Saints for pressure acts with 146 and tops the club for tackles inside 50 with seven. Given the Saints were without Jack Steven – who led the club for pressure acts last year – for the first three rounds, and have David Armitage currently sidelined with a knee injury after he was the most prolific in inside 50 tackles in 2013, it's been an important effort from the 30-year-old. Lenny Hayes unsurprisingly leads the Saints for overall tackles but Jones is just four behind him – and with 42, is on track to be a more significant presence in that area after finishing fifth last year with 70 from 19 games. - Jennifer Phelan

The Swans pride themselves on pressure acts, with their best example being the 2012 Grand Final. Throughout that season they identified 175 one-percenters as the minimum required, but kept breaking their own record, producing 333 as they secured the premiership. They have a number of players that embody that desperation, led by Ben McGlynn and Josh Kennedy. McGlynn tops the Swans this year in pressure acts with 195, ahead of Luke Parker (180) and Jarrad McVeigh (149). McGlynn is also their leading tackler, his 55 for the year ranking him third in the AFL. Used predominantly as a small forward previously, he has been shifted into the midfield this season with devastating results. Kennedy is also a pressure machine and thrives on contested football. He paces the Swans with 12 forward-50 tackles, ahead of McGlynn, Lance Franklin and Kieren Jack (all nine). - Michael Whiting

Reigning best-and-fairest Matt Priddis edges out another manic midfielder, Scott Selwood, as the Eagles' premier pressure player. It's no coincidence West Coast's past two club champions lead the highly-valued pressure acts and tackles statistics. Selwood has recorded 180 pressure acts in eight games, 13 more than Priddis. However, the left-footed Priddis has laid six more tackles (49) and, somewhat surprisingly, has wrapped-up opponents inside the forward 50m arc 12 times this season. Priddis and Selwood share similar career trajectories - both thrived as taggers before developing more attacking styles - and it's tough to split them here, except to say that Priddis has worn the Eagles' 'pressure king' crown slightly longer and is yet to fully relinquish it. – Travis King