'YOU'RE hurting my baby, Bucks! Don't hurt my baby!" As I ran around the SCG in a match against Sydney, these were the words that John Stevens repeated to me every time I got a touch of the leather.

We had shared a couple of years at Collingwood together and as we shook hands before the game, he told me he was going to be a dad. I was happy for him but I didn't expect that it would be used as a tactic against me!

While there was humour in it, it highlights the bare facts of the game. Every footballer is sent onto the field to execute a role and if he fails to do so, his livelihood as a footballer is in jeopardy. In Jonno's case, this was going to "hurt his baby".

With these high stakes in mind, consider for a moment the desperation and focus that any defender carries into a game when his career hinges on reducing the influence of a star opponent.

Replace the word defender with the midfield versions of "tagger", "run-with", "defensive mid" or "negator" as you wish, but in the end, they are all trying to achieve the same end — to use every means possible to do their jobs.

The mindset required to play the tagging role is extreme and often it results in extreme tactics; physical, mental and emotional.

If the game was reduced to a battle of wills, the MCG's colosseum aura would be more than just that, there would be anarchy and players would take matters into their own hands. Thankfully, there are rules of engagement.

The difficulty comes in the grey areas of the game. They are many, and they are unavoidable.

During the week, the issue of tagging and scragging was raised again after the Ablett v Crowley match-up in the Cats-Dockers game last Friday week. The Channel Seven coverage gave viewers an armchair insight into the physicality that takes place in these type of match-ups week-in, week-out.

The way I saw it, Crowley stuck to his task well, took advantage of the way the game was umpired and adjusted his physical pressure accordingly. Ablett was unable to find a way around this opponent, but it shouldn't be cause for alarm.

The pressure brought to bear on the star Cat was a snapshot of what he will have to endure for the rest of his career. It is also the same treatment that the best ball winners and ball users have dealt with throughout the ages.

Midfielders of the calibre of Greg Williams, Robert Harvey and James Hird played their careers with one, two or more people hanging off their shorts but they were still able to overcome the challenges.

There's no disputing which side of the argument I stand on. I think ball players should be given every chance to play their games, but I don't think they deserve special treatment. A defensive midfielder should be given every opportunity to ply his trade and, in many ways, these players influence the results of modern-day matches as their opponents do.

Finding the balance for both sides is crucial to maintaining the contest in the game — a contest that is in danger of being lost in the front half of the field.

I would be mortified if a "hands in the back" or "chopping arms" mentality was introduced into these midfield battles because I think the balance in forward lines has been skewed too far towards the goal-scorers.

The advantage that the "taggees" carry is that their first focus is the football and they remain the initiators in their contest. They can dictate starting position, use blocks from teammates and they are first to move.

If, like Shaun Burgoyne, you have a speed advantage, then you can set up defensively in the sweep position and motor through a stoppage.

If, like Mark Ricciuto, you have a strength advantage, then place yourself front and centre to the contest, push off your opponent and meet the ball.

If you've got your man covered in the air, push forward and take him out of his comfort zone, as Hird did so often.

If you think you're fitter than your opponent, run him ragged, just as Harvey or Shane Crawford (who used to sprint up and down the field simply to blow his tagger up) do.

Then there are the ball magnets, such as Simon Black, who just keep moving, in and away from stoppages, working on the theory that the more contests they get to, the more dangerous they are.

Don't fear for the ball winners. There are many tactics available in their arsenal — providing, of course, that the rules of the game are enforced as they should be.

The best way to prevent the illegal scragging tactics that are sometimes employed by run-with players is to penalise them when they do it. Simple but effective.

Last week, Crowley was penalised for holding at one of the stoppages early in the match. It was there, it was a good standard to set for the match and, in my experience, it generally sends a message to the tagger that he is being watched.

Despite this early setback (it was in the back half), Crowley's ability to disguise his physical pressure and worry Ablett out of contests was impressive. Rather than question the tactics, I'd prefer to give him kudos for his role. It was a job well done.

The umpires set the tone for how the game will be played. I wouldn't be surprised to see a focus on holding at stoppages this week, but the players will be aware of it very early. Adjusting to these parts of the game is part of being a good footballer. For now, I'm happy to be watching someone else get the tagging treatment. Although it was a given every weekend of my football life, there are times that it gets to you. Getting tagged is not easy and it's not always a physical challenge.

Chris Daniher used to set sail for his forward goal square whenever Essendon won the ball and I used to chase him there, thinking I was doing the team thing.

One day, I thought, "Stuff this", and got another player to cover for me. When he looked around, he stopped and came back to me because I hadn't followed. A lesson learned.

Another time, I wrestled Steven Sziller for the entire match and was too stuffed to move to the ball. He sucked me in that day. Another lesson learned.

And, of course, there was the day that Cameron Ling cut me with an elbow and then clapped in my face as I was sent off. The rest is history.

This game isn't meant to be easy. It tests every fibre of your being and only the strongest of bodies and toughest of minds can endure it. But that's what makes the game great. They are men out there, not boys (or babies), and they'll succeed or fail on their own merits.