Instead of kicking bags of goals, Brad Close's AFL stock in trade is laying bundles of tackles.
A clear understanding of what is expected of him has made the Geelong hard nut a key member of their potent attack heading into Saturday's qualifying final against Collingwood.
While the plaudits went to Tom Hawkins, Jeremy Cameron and Tyson Stengle in their All-Australian selections last week, Close's pressure makes him another crucial component of their forward line.
The 24-year-old from South Australia has played all 22 games in his third season and laid 83 tackles, along with kicking 21 goals.
"I've focused on knowing what my role is and helping out the others around me," he said.
"I realised, with my role, I don't need to go out and kick four or five goals a week.
"Obviously hitting the scoreboard is nice, but the little things are rewarded at our club."
Close's job is basically to make life as tough as possible for opposition defenders when they have possession, then gut-run up and down the ground to help Geelong midfielders and back men.
It's work that often goes unseen and unheralded, but no team is successful without a Brad Close or three in their line-up.
Instead there's been plenty of focus this year on Stengle, who came to the Cats as a troubled young footballer on his last AFL chance.
He has blossomed at Geelong and Close is always trying to delve into his on-field bag of tricks.
"Some of the times you think he might be out of it, the ability to make a contest either in the air or on the ground, then his finishing around goal - it's next-level," Close said.
"He makes it look really easy. I'm trying to learn a few tips and tricks off him, because obviously he has plenty to share.
"He's obviously kicked 46 goals, which is massive, but just the dynamic - he's pretty good in the air.
"He can play deep, he can play high (forward) ... the ability for him to play deeper on a small-bodied opponent or if he takes a bigger opponent, he can go up the ground a bit more, he's very versatile."
Similarly, Close calls Cameron a "freak" and is rapt that Hawkins was the surprise choice as All-Australian captain.
"He is the leader of our forward line ... he's almost another coach for us, really," Close said.
"The experience he brings to our group, it's well-deserved that he's finally been recognised as a leader."
