Rupert Wills tackles his way into AFL record books on debut for Collingwood
COLLINGWOOD youngster Rupert Wills has tackled his way into the AFL record books with a masterclass on debut against West Coast on Saturday.
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COLLINGWOOD youngster Rupert Wills has tackled his way into the AFL record books.
Making his AFL debut against West Coast at the MCG, Wills laid 11 tackles, beating the previous best by one tackle.
Adelaide’s Jake Kelly and Giant Jack Steele had previous held the record with 10 tackles after both debuted in 2015.
It was an impressive debut from Wills - who was taken with pick No.63 in the 2015 national draft - as the Magpies continued their 20-year winning streak against the Eagles at the home of football.
Collingwood finished the game with a massive 118 tackles as a team, with Wills laying the equal second-most (along with Taylor Adams) behind captain Scott Pendlebury.
It’s not the first time Wills has found himself with an impressive highlight.
The 23-year-old launched a 100m goal against North Ballarat in the VFL at Eureka Stadium, last month.
After intercepting the ball at half-back, Wills launched a bomb that landed inside the Magpies’ attacking 50m before bouncing through for a remarkable goal.
However, Wills is still a little way off the most tackles in a single game.
Tom Liberatore, Jude Bolton and Jack Ziebell jointly hold the record with 19
Bolton had held the record since 2011 before Liberatore and Ziebell joined him this season, both against Melbourne.
New record!
— CollingwoodFC (@CollingwoodFC) July 30, 2016
Rupert Wills has laid more tackles than any other player on debut (11) in the game's history #gopies pic.twitter.com/xys0H6EoIs
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