HAVING a range of scoring options in the forward line can be a nightmare for an opposition defence.
Finding match-ups for a number of dangerous forwards, and in the process losing a lot of run out of the backline, would cause any defensive coach a few headaches.
We have seen Collingwood dominate this season, thanks largely to the depth of goalkicking options in their line-up. No less than five players have kicked more than 20 goals this year, with a further eight players in double figures.
In contrast, teams such as St.Kilda (with its heavy reliance on Nick Riewoldt) and the Western Bulldogs (Barry Hall) have struggled to find alternative options at times.
The round 19 match between Melbourne and Richmond saw two very different forward lines - the Tigers with their dominant forward Jack Riewoldt; the Demons with their wide range of scoring options, albeit spearheaded by 2010 standout Brad Green.
There is no better evidence of a team’s reliance on a particular player than the inside 50 target statistic.
Logged when the ball is deliberately kicked towards a specific forward, inside 50 target numbers can often highlight the gulf between the supply to a number one forward and the rest of the side.
The statistic itself is notoriously tough to call - trying to find consistency across statisticians is very difficult - but over the course of a season the numbers accurately reflect where the ball is being delivered.
Also, bear in mind that not every inside 50 entry has a designated target.
Jack Riewoldt has been the number one inside 50 target player this season, with the Tigers delivering him the ball on 236 occasions, an average of more than 12 times per match.
Brendan Fevola (228) and Barry Hall (226) follow closely behind - the likes of Kurt Tippett, Jarryd Roughead, Lance Franklin and Mark LeCras are a little further back.
With Jack Riewoldt leading the competition, this inevitably leads to a big gap between a team’s most targeted player and the rest of the side.
Richmond’s next highest player for Inside 50 targets? Angus Graham, who was delivered the ball inside 50 seven times on the weekend, taking his 2010 tally to 26.
Mitch Morton and Jayden Post are next in line with 20 for the year. It’s a staggering statistic which shows just how important Jack Riewoldt is to the young Tigers.
Melbourne’s inside 50 target breakdown looks a little different.
Green sneaks into the AFL’s top 15 with 118 for the season, but is followed by a host of Demons who have been given their fair share of footy inside 50.
Surprisingly, Ricky Petterd still ranks second among the Melbourne players despite playing only six matches this season. He has been targeted inside 50 48 times in 2010, followed by Matthew Bate (46), Brad Miller (39), Mark Jamar (38) and Lynden Dunn (35).
Firstly, these figures show how much the forward line has changed in the past few weeks as the likes of Liam Jurrah, Colin Sylvia and Austin Wonaeamirri have been introduced up forward.
And secondly, it shows that the Dees have a range of scoring options rather than an unhealthy reliance on any particular player.
Perhaps the Tigers were wary of kicking to Riewoldt too often, fully aware that the Demon defenders would pay extra attention to the Coleman Medal leader.
Richmond targeted Riewoldt inside 50 only 7 times on the weekend, as many as ruckman Angus Graham.
Paul Johnson and Jurrah were the leading inside 50 targets for Melbourne with six apiece. Green and Wonaeamirri (five each) weren’t far behind either, along with Dunn (four).
Spare a thought for the Demons midfielders. Imagine streaming through the middle of the ground and seeing Green, Jurrah, Dunn, Jamar, Jack Watts and Wonaeamirri all providing an option. Throw in Petterd, Bate, Miller, Sylvia, Aaron Davey and Jamie Bennell and even the best decision makers would be torn.
A good problem to have…
Finding match-ups for a number of dangerous forwards, and in the process losing a lot of run out of the backline, would cause any defensive coach a few headaches.
We have seen Collingwood dominate this season, thanks largely to the depth of goalkicking options in their line-up. No less than five players have kicked more than 20 goals this year, with a further eight players in double figures.
In contrast, teams such as St.Kilda (with its heavy reliance on Nick Riewoldt) and the Western Bulldogs (Barry Hall) have struggled to find alternative options at times.
The round 19 match between Melbourne and Richmond saw two very different forward lines - the Tigers with their dominant forward Jack Riewoldt; the Demons with their wide range of scoring options, albeit spearheaded by 2010 standout Brad Green.
There is no better evidence of a team’s reliance on a particular player than the inside 50 target statistic.
Logged when the ball is deliberately kicked towards a specific forward, inside 50 target numbers can often highlight the gulf between the supply to a number one forward and the rest of the side.
The statistic itself is notoriously tough to call - trying to find consistency across statisticians is very difficult - but over the course of a season the numbers accurately reflect where the ball is being delivered.
Also, bear in mind that not every inside 50 entry has a designated target.
Jack Riewoldt has been the number one inside 50 target player this season, with the Tigers delivering him the ball on 236 occasions, an average of more than 12 times per match.
Brendan Fevola (228) and Barry Hall (226) follow closely behind - the likes of Kurt Tippett, Jarryd Roughead, Lance Franklin and Mark LeCras are a little further back.
With Jack Riewoldt leading the competition, this inevitably leads to a big gap between a team’s most targeted player and the rest of the side.
Richmond’s next highest player for Inside 50 targets? Angus Graham, who was delivered the ball inside 50 seven times on the weekend, taking his 2010 tally to 26.
Mitch Morton and Jayden Post are next in line with 20 for the year. It’s a staggering statistic which shows just how important Jack Riewoldt is to the young Tigers.
Melbourne’s inside 50 target breakdown looks a little different.
Green sneaks into the AFL’s top 15 with 118 for the season, but is followed by a host of Demons who have been given their fair share of footy inside 50.
Surprisingly, Ricky Petterd still ranks second among the Melbourne players despite playing only six matches this season. He has been targeted inside 50 48 times in 2010, followed by Matthew Bate (46), Brad Miller (39), Mark Jamar (38) and Lynden Dunn (35).
Firstly, these figures show how much the forward line has changed in the past few weeks as the likes of Liam Jurrah, Colin Sylvia and Austin Wonaeamirri have been introduced up forward.
And secondly, it shows that the Dees have a range of scoring options rather than an unhealthy reliance on any particular player.
Perhaps the Tigers were wary of kicking to Riewoldt too often, fully aware that the Demon defenders would pay extra attention to the Coleman Medal leader.
Richmond targeted Riewoldt inside 50 only 7 times on the weekend, as many as ruckman Angus Graham.
Paul Johnson and Jurrah were the leading inside 50 targets for Melbourne with six apiece. Green and Wonaeamirri (five each) weren’t far behind either, along with Dunn (four).
Spare a thought for the Demons midfielders. Imagine streaming through the middle of the ground and seeing Green, Jurrah, Dunn, Jamar, Jack Watts and Wonaeamirri all providing an option. Throw in Petterd, Bate, Miller, Sylvia, Aaron Davey and Jamie Bennell and even the best decision makers would be torn.
A good problem to have…
Statistics courtesy of Prowess Sports
