Long regarded as one of Adelaide’s best and most skilful offensive players, David Mackay has added another dimension to his game to emerge as an integral part of his team’s stifling full-ground defence.

The Crows’ pressure on the ball carrier was relentless in the first half against Geelong at AAMI Stadium on Saturday. The home team chased, tackled and harassed its opposition, forcing the usually polished Cats into error and punishing them on the turnover, recording the Club’s highest first-half score - 14.5 (89) - in more than a decade.

“In the first half, we played some really good footy and our pressure was amazing,” Mackay told afc.com.au.

“Our ability to get at Geelong and tackle was probably as good as it’s been all year.”

Mackay, averaging 5.6 tackles a game, is ranked second (39) behind courageous captain Nathan van Berlo (44) in tackles at West Lakes this season.

The 23-year-old also rates highly at the Club in pressure acts, using his speed and superior reading of the play to hunt opposition players.

The once-wiry wingman added in excess of 5kg to his frame over the summer, enabling him to play closer to the contest this season.

“It was a bit of a different emphasis stemming from the pre-season, and I worked really hard on that (defensive) side of my game,” Mackay said.

“It’s a big focus going into every game and I try to put as much pressure as I can on the opposition.

“We’ve got a lot of guys doing that well like Jared Petrenko, Matt Wright and Ian Callinan. When we have that like we did in the first half we’re going to be hard to beat.”

Mackay, who missed a large chunk of last season with a shoulder injury, collected 17 possessions against Geelong with a disposal efficiency rate of 94 per cent. He also kicked a goal and won two clearances.

He admits it’s taken time to adjust to a slightly different role in the midfield under new coach Brenton Sanderson.

“My form has been a little bit up and down … I’m just playing a little bit of a different role and adjusting to that,” he said.

“I’m really enjoying it, and loving playing in this team at the moment. If I can keep building my form and as long as we’re winning, that’s the main thing. It’s a really good feeling.”

Debutant Josh Jenkins was also savouring the moment in the rooms on Saturday afternoon.

Basketball convert Jenkins impressed in his first AFL game, presenting strongly and taking a strong mark in the goal square that led to his first goal.

“Josh was terrific,” Mackay said.

“He’s been knocking the door for a number of weeks now. I think he picked himself in the end because he was playing that well for Sturt. Josh is a bit of a different cat, but a good fella and I’m really happy for him, getting a win in his first game.”

After beating lowly-ranked teams Gold Coast, Western Bulldogs, Greater Western Sydney and Port Adelaide in the first five rounds, the Crows have now beaten two top-four fancies in as many weeks.

Adelaide faces another tough test against Carlton at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

“We spoke a bit about that last week before the Sydney game that we really wanted to get some scalps under our belt. We’re just taking it one scalp at a time, but it’s going really well at the moment,” Mackay said.

“The boys are playing some good footy and there’s a good spirit amongst the group. Hopefully, that can continue because we’ve got some really tough games coming up and we’re going to need every bit of it.

“Carlton is one of the best teams in the competition at the moment. They have a really good midfield and it’s going to be a big test for us.

“We haven’t played at Etihad this year. The last time we played in Melbourne (against Hawthorn at the MCG in round three) we didn’t play well, so we’ll look to do better this time.”