AFL: Who has the most tackles in a single match? St Kilda's Brad Crouch nears record

St Kilda midfielder Brad Crouch was on track to break the AFL’s single-game tackling record against West Coast before a free-flowing final term staunched his chances.

The 29-year-old’s tally of 16 tackles at three-quarter time took him close to breaking the AFL record of 20 in a game, though he would register just one more stop in the fourth quarter. 

It was another strong performance from the Saints onballer, who has been among the competition's best two-way midfielders this year. 

Despite Crouch’s heroic efforts, he sits equal fourth for the most tackles in an AFL game, alongside young bull Matt Rowell who made 17 tackles against the same struggling Eagles in May. 

So, who holds the record? 

Who has the most tackles in an AFL game?

Adelaide star Rory Laird holds the single-game record with 20 tackles against Collingwood in Round 18, 2022. 

Laird would also accumulate 32 disposals in the match, as Adelaide battled behind the midfielder's strong showing to challenge a much-favoured Magpies side.

The trio of Tom Liberatore, Jack Ziebell, and Jude Bolton have all come close to the Adelaide star’s record, each with 19 tackles in a single match. 

Rounding out the best efforts are Brownlow medalist Matt Priddis, Saints midfielder Jack Steele, and Geelong’s Mitch Duncan with a single-game record of 18 tackles. 

Who has the most tackles in an AFL season? 

Former West Coast and Geelong midfielder Scott Selwood holds the record for most tackles in an AFL season, with 202 tackles from 25 games in 2011. 

Priddis, who has the third-most tackles in a game, also sits second (193) and third (188) for most tackles in a season. 

The two Eagles teammates made a career of tough, physical football and earned their best tackling records in 2011’s preliminary finals run. 

Ex-Crows captain Rory Sloane (187), former Essendon midfielder Devon Smith (186), and Geelong workhorse James Kelly (186) round out the top five tallies in a season.