RICHMOND hero Dustin Martin's trademark 'don't argue' is rubbing off on teammates as the Tigers look to add more layers to their premiership defence.

Last year Martin was streets ahead of the competition for broken tackles as the Tigers won the flag, but this season more of his teammates are starting to follow suit.

After four rounds, Richmond sits a clear No.1 in the AFL with 39 broken tackles, eight more than Geelong in second place.

And captain Trent Cotchin looks to have studied Martin's tapes in the off-season, sitting equal with last year's Brownlow medallist on seven broken tackles – the most in the competition.

Reece Conca joins a host of players on six, while Geelong's Patrick Dangerfield is on five from just three matches, according to Champion Data statistics.

Last year Dangerfield finished a staggering 44 broken tackles behind Martin's tally of 68 in the home and away season, with Dan Butler the next best Tiger with 13.

In a year in which Martin took home every individual award possible, he also posted a new broken tackles match record, recording eight in the Tigers' preliminary final win over Greater Western Sydney. 

AFL BROKEN TACKLES BY TEAM (2018)

1

Richmond

39

2

Geelong

31

3

Sydney

27

4

Melbourne

26

5

Port Adelaide

25

6

GWS 

24

7

Adelaide

20

8

Essendon

19

9

West Coast

19

10

Collingwood

17

11

Hawthorn

17

12

Carlton

16

13

Western Bulldogs

13

14

North Melbourne

12

15

Gold Coast

11

16

Brisbane

10

17

Fremantle

10

18

St Kilda

8

AFL BROKEN TACKLES LEADERS (2018)

Trent Cotchin

7

Dustin Martin

7

Reece Conca

6

Lance Franklin

6

James Harmes

6

Christian Petracca

6

Jed Bews

5

Luke Breust

5

Patrick Dangerfield

5

Isaac Heeney

5

Luke Shuey

5

Jake Stringer

5

 RICHMOND BROKEN TACKLES LEADERS (2017 HOME AND AWAY)

Dustin Martin

68 (1st in comp)

Dan Butler

13 (eq 27th) 

Trent Cotchin

13 (eq 27th) 

Jason Castagna

12 (eq 36th)

Kamdyn McIntosh

8 (eq 68th)