The Stats That Matter – Round 5
By Simon Andrews
With four rounds down, there is a plethora of stats available thanks to Premier Data that can give us an insight into the positive aspects of each team’s form, and areas requiring improvement which will no doubt become focal points for improvement moving forward.
Launceston
We start with the reigning premier and current ladder leaders.
At a glance, the initial factor for their sparkling form is their numbers and effectiveness inside 50. The Blues lead the inside 50 count for the competition, averaging 21 per game. They are dominant at marking inside 50 both deep and shallow.
Because of this, the Blues lead all-comers in average marks inside 50 at 23 – nine ahead of the next best (Kingborough).
Stemming off this, another area where the Blues have dominated 2022 so far is scoring. After 4 rounds Launceston have amassed 71 goals, averaging almost 18 a game.
If one must search for a stain on the Blues’ record, it may be their pressure numbers, with Launceston ranked last overall for tackles and 5th in effective tackles. Although it must be said that the Blues turn up the heat once the ball reaches the forward 50, and with so much disposal, tackle numbers are always likely to be down.
Kingborough
Kingborough has started off the year nicely, ranking strongly in multiple key areas.
Most notably they have carried their 2021 growth into the new season, as they are dominating the clearance numbers all over the field. The Tigers are averaging 43.5 clearances a game, slightly improving on their competition best from last year.
The additions of Jack Tomkinson, Jordan Lane and Connor Salter – and the return of Tyler Carter – have also contributed to the Tigers sitting first in the competition for contested marks, averaging 17 per game, one clear of next best Lauderdale. Tomkinson and Marcus Gardner are also forming a formidable ruck partnership, with Kingborough ranked second for hit outs.
It’s hard to find an area where the Tigers are lacking. If one was to picky, it would be the one-percenters, where they sit in last place only averaging 67 per game, almost 20 off the competition best (North Launceston).
Clarence
Despite a new influx of talent, and a new coach, the Roos have maintained strong form across the start of the season.
Their pressure has been elite. Clarence are the undisputed leaders in tackles so far – leading in both total tackles and effective tackles, the latter stat seeing them be almost 15 ahead of the second best Tigers.
The Roos players can boast some clean ball movement in 2022, sitting on top of disposal efficiency, averaging 70%. This bodes well for the quick, daring ball movement that’s become a staple of their game to this point.
Some areas for improvement could be their ground and hard ball gets, as they rank low on the ladder in both areas so far.
North Launceston
The Northern Bombers have experienced an ambivalent start to 2022, with some positive aspects to their game and some key areas for improvement.
Touching on the positives, North lead all for one-percenters and hit-outs, and first in the competition for hit outs to advantage, highlighting the dominance of co-captain Alex Lee.
A clear blemish on the Bombers’ form so far is their scoring, ranking lowly for score involvement, efficiency and assists.
Since their round one demolition of Glenorchy where they notched up 150 points, the Bombers have only averaged 47 points per game.
North Hobart
Despite sitting fifth with just the one win to this point, the stats paint some real positives for the Demons so far in 2022.
The Demons lead the competition for rebound 50s, while their forward craft has also significantly improved on last year, ranking first in both score involvements and scoring efficiency.
Clinton French’s side will be eager to address their ball use, however, sitting first in the competition for turnovers at an average of 71 a game.
Lauderdale
The Southern Bombers’ results to this point of 2022 may already have some writing them off. However, the stats provide some much-needed optimism.
Seemingly, some of the Bombers’ positives and negatives are in the midfield. They rank first in hard ball gets with an average of 36 per game and third for clearances at almost 39 a game.
Turnovers are hurting the side, though, with the Bombers second in the competition for total turnovers with 69 per game, but first for midfield turnovers, highlighting the need for their ball movement to be tidied up.
Glenorchy
One area that the last placed Magpies can be proud of so far in 2022 is their tackling effort. They rank second and third in tackles and effective tackles respectively, highlighting the pressure that Aaron Cornelius’ young side is bringing to the table.
They are also putting up some promising numbers elsewhere such as averaging 25.3 hard ball gets a game.
As the Pies continue their rebuild, they cannot ignore their downfalls, including the free-kick count, within which they are giving away four more frees on average than any other team per game. Ball movement will no doubt be a key focus, with the ‘Pies last in the competition for total marks and contested marks per game.
