It's why, as Charlie Cameron completes one of his leanest years, the three-time premiership player has reasserted his "love" for the Lions small forward and declared he's playing a more important role than ever.
"The best two for tackles held for the Lions, for a long time, were Jason Akermanis and Craig McRae," Akermanis told AAP ahead of Saturday's preliminary final against Collingwood.
With just 27 goals from 23 games, it's the 31-year-old two-time All Australian's most barren campaign in 10 years.
He kicked 0.3 against Gold Coast and didn't register a tackle but had 14 disposals, at one point running so far back to pressure he collected the ball in the back pocket.
"Everyone thinks about how many goals I kicked, or how many touches Craig got," Brownlow Medallist Akermanis said.
"But Leigh will say Craig was the first guy picked because he brought the heat on defence.
"And that's what Charlie's doing now.
"We all love to singing along at the Gabba when he kicks goals, but this is what he's doing that the team care about.
"I love Charlie and everyone is carrying on about kicking less goals, but he's setting more up with that pressure that causes turnovers.
"He's in a different place than he's ever been and it's better. When he tackles and chases, it's unbelievable."
McRae will coach the Magpies against the Lions at the MCG in a rematch of the 2023 decider Collingwood won by four points.
The Lions, who won last year while the Magpies missed the top eight, are navigating their defence without key men Lachie Neale, Eric Hipwood, Noah Answerth and Jack Payne.
Akermanis, who has long advocated for more midfield minutes for Zac Bailey and Cameron Rayner, isn't surprised they're holding up without them.
Bailey earned an All Australian guernsey this year while Rayner shrugged an AFL record eight tackles against the Suns.
"Joey Daniher retires, Lachie out, Eric out ... it changes everything," Akermanis said.
"Forces the forward line to restructure; how they move the ball, who's free, one-on-one match-ups, who can bring it to ground.
"Everything is different and for a coach it's about sharpening tools at your disposals.
"And they've got so many weapons and are confident in so many more players to get it done in the last three or four years.
"It's all there and it's unfair to say just one has improved, even Froggy (veteran defender Ryan Lester) has improved.
"And that's what great teams do."
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