IN ROUND 14, Geelong set a new record for disposals in a match, amassing 505 against the Kangaroos.
While this is well above the league average of 371 disposals per game, modern football has become such a possession game that football followers barely raised an eyebrow.
While this is well above the league average of 371 disposals per game, modern football has become such a possession game that football followers barely raised an eyebrow.
So how much has the game changed over the years?
Let’s go back to season 2000, when the Demons made their last Grand Final appearance and the likes of Steven Febey and David Schwarz were still running around.
Let’s go back to season 2000, when the Demons made their last Grand Final appearance and the likes of Steven Febey and David Schwarz were still running around.
In 2000, the average disposals per match were a paltry 313.
Carlton led the league with an average of 342 - only Richmond (332) average fewer in 2010. The 400-disposal mark was topped three times in 2000 compared to 57 occasions this year.
The most interesting (but probably most predictable) aspect of the dramatic possession increase is that there has been no change in the average number of kicks per game in ten years.
Teams averaged 201 kicks per match in 2000, and the exact same number so far in 2010. The rate of handball has taken a sharp turn upwards, from 111 in 2000 to 170 this season.
Back in 2000, anything near 30 possessions in a game was considered outstanding. Not one single player averaged 30 disposals in 2000, with Nathan Buckley (29.6) and Melbourne’s own midfield coach Scott West (28.8) coming close. There were eleven players who averaged over 25 disposals.
Fast forward eleven seasons and 32 players average 25 disposals or more, with four players averaging more than 30 - Gary Ablett (33.4), Dane Swan (30.9), Paul Chapman (30.1) and Matthew Boyd (30.0).
Such a high possession game obviously has an effect on various other statistics.
Carlton led the league with an average of 342 - only Richmond (332) average fewer in 2010. The 400-disposal mark was topped three times in 2000 compared to 57 occasions this year.
The most interesting (but probably most predictable) aspect of the dramatic possession increase is that there has been no change in the average number of kicks per game in ten years.
Teams averaged 201 kicks per match in 2000, and the exact same number so far in 2010. The rate of handball has taken a sharp turn upwards, from 111 in 2000 to 170 this season.
Back in 2000, anything near 30 possessions in a game was considered outstanding. Not one single player averaged 30 disposals in 2000, with Nathan Buckley (29.6) and Melbourne’s own midfield coach Scott West (28.8) coming close. There were eleven players who averaged over 25 disposals.
Fast forward eleven seasons and 32 players average 25 disposals or more, with four players averaging more than 30 - Gary Ablett (33.4), Dane Swan (30.9), Paul Chapman (30.1) and Matthew Boyd (30.0).
Such a high possession game obviously has an effect on various other statistics.
Handball and short kicking have resulted in fewer inside 50s per game - from 56 in 2000 down to just 50 this season.
Teams also average more marks per game (94 in 2010, up from 83 in 2000) as coaches shy away from kicking long to a contest in favour of short passing to retain possession.
Free kicks have predictably increased as well, thanks largely to the sharper focus on backmen in marking contests. Defenders have it tough these days, as chopping the arms and placing a hand in a forward’s back is now off limits.
What this means for modern footy is that getting the ball is now a lot easier, but using it effectively has become harder and arguably more important than ever.
Clubs have put a premium on drafting players who can kick well, especially under extreme pressure, and the Dees are no exception.
Speaking of pressure, the change in tackling figures between 2000 and 2010 is incredible.
Teams averaged 32 tackles per game in 2000. That figure has more than doubled to 69 tackles this season. Even taking into account the slight changes in interpretation over the years, it’s a remarkable change.
In fact, the average tackle count has increased every year since 2005, as the pressure aspect of the game has become so important.
Only three players remain on the Melbourne list from the 2000 playing group - Brad Green, Cameron Bruce and James McDonald.
Back then they weren’t too dissimilar to some our current crop of youngsters.
Green made his debut in our Grand Final year, averaging just fewer than seven disposals and kicking 28 goals. This season he has averaged 20 touches and has kicked 31 goals in 14 games. Bruce averaged 10 possessions in 19 matches, missing the Grand Final due to injury, and now averages 24 disposals playing primarily down back. McDonald has gone from an average of 14 disposals in 2000 to 23 this year, becoming captain of the club in the process.
So which of our current young players can take a similar path?
With the likes of Scully, Watts, Trengove, Strauss, McKenzie, Gysberts, Tapscott, Grimes and Blease (the list goes on) developing quickly, the club is well poised for another period of sustained success, no matter what changes modern footy can throw at us.
Stats: Champion Data
Teams also average more marks per game (94 in 2010, up from 83 in 2000) as coaches shy away from kicking long to a contest in favour of short passing to retain possession.
Free kicks have predictably increased as well, thanks largely to the sharper focus on backmen in marking contests. Defenders have it tough these days, as chopping the arms and placing a hand in a forward’s back is now off limits.
What this means for modern footy is that getting the ball is now a lot easier, but using it effectively has become harder and arguably more important than ever.
Clubs have put a premium on drafting players who can kick well, especially under extreme pressure, and the Dees are no exception.
Speaking of pressure, the change in tackling figures between 2000 and 2010 is incredible.
Teams averaged 32 tackles per game in 2000. That figure has more than doubled to 69 tackles this season. Even taking into account the slight changes in interpretation over the years, it’s a remarkable change.
In fact, the average tackle count has increased every year since 2005, as the pressure aspect of the game has become so important.
Only three players remain on the Melbourne list from the 2000 playing group - Brad Green, Cameron Bruce and James McDonald.
Back then they weren’t too dissimilar to some our current crop of youngsters.
Green made his debut in our Grand Final year, averaging just fewer than seven disposals and kicking 28 goals. This season he has averaged 20 touches and has kicked 31 goals in 14 games. Bruce averaged 10 possessions in 19 matches, missing the Grand Final due to injury, and now averages 24 disposals playing primarily down back. McDonald has gone from an average of 14 disposals in 2000 to 23 this year, becoming captain of the club in the process.
So which of our current young players can take a similar path?
With the likes of Scully, Watts, Trengove, Strauss, McKenzie, Gysberts, Tapscott, Grimes and Blease (the list goes on) developing quickly, the club is well poised for another period of sustained success, no matter what changes modern footy can throw at us.
Stats: Champion Data
