THE BOMBERS gave away seven 50-metre penalties against the Demons on Sunday. All of them resulted in goals.
To put it into perspective, the previous season high for any team was three, even after the umpires came down hard in the wake of the Steven Johnson-Steven Baker incident a few weeks back.
In Round 15, only the Demons kicked more than a single goal from a 50-metre penalty.
To put it into perspective, the previous season high for any team was three, even after the umpires came down hard in the wake of the Steven Johnson-Steven Baker incident a few weeks back.
In Round 15, only the Demons kicked more than a single goal from a 50-metre penalty.
So let’s look closer at the heroes and villains in the eyes of the umpires.
Which sides have felt the wrath of the men in white (or red or yellow or …. pink) and which players are breaking the rules more often than others?
Hawthorn, a team that is well renowned for treading a fine line with the umpires, has given away the most free kicks this season, 342 in total. And by receiving only 297 themselves, the Hawks sit on top of the competition in differentials (-45 overall).
The Dees have basically broken even in 2010, receiving three more free kicks than their opponents thus far. On the flipside, the West Coast Eagles (+51) and the Western Bulldogs (+46) are well ahead of the rest of the competition.
Some say interstate home ground advantage contributes to a positive free kick count (which covers the Eagles), while others maintain the successful sides tend to get a better run from the umpires (which definitely doesn’t cover the Eagles, but takes care of the Bulldogs). Or perhaps they’re just plain lucky!
Giving free kicks away in front of goal is often a coach-killer, so it’s no wonder Paul Roos has decided to pull the pin. The Swans have conceded 29 goals from free kicks to lead the competition, while only receiving 15 (ranked 16th).
Again, the Demons have broken even, giving away 16 goals from free kicks and receiving 17 of their own. After last Sunday’s result, the Bombers are clearly first in goals against from 50-metre penalties (16 in total, with North Melbourne ranked second with 11) and second behind the Swans for conceding goals from free kicks with 26.
When looking at individual players, the numbers throw up some predictable, but interesting results.
Melbourne’s own Mark Jamar, enjoying a breakout year in the ruck, heads the list for both free kicks for (39) and frees against (36).
Not surprisingly, ruckmen fill the first three places in terms of free kicks against, with Darren Jolly (35) and Dean Brogan (32) close behind the Demon big man.
Which sides have felt the wrath of the men in white (or red or yellow or …. pink) and which players are breaking the rules more often than others?
Hawthorn, a team that is well renowned for treading a fine line with the umpires, has given away the most free kicks this season, 342 in total. And by receiving only 297 themselves, the Hawks sit on top of the competition in differentials (-45 overall).
The Dees have basically broken even in 2010, receiving three more free kicks than their opponents thus far. On the flipside, the West Coast Eagles (+51) and the Western Bulldogs (+46) are well ahead of the rest of the competition.
Some say interstate home ground advantage contributes to a positive free kick count (which covers the Eagles), while others maintain the successful sides tend to get a better run from the umpires (which definitely doesn’t cover the Eagles, but takes care of the Bulldogs). Or perhaps they’re just plain lucky!
Giving free kicks away in front of goal is often a coach-killer, so it’s no wonder Paul Roos has decided to pull the pin. The Swans have conceded 29 goals from free kicks to lead the competition, while only receiving 15 (ranked 16th).
Again, the Demons have broken even, giving away 16 goals from free kicks and receiving 17 of their own. After last Sunday’s result, the Bombers are clearly first in goals against from 50-metre penalties (16 in total, with North Melbourne ranked second with 11) and second behind the Swans for conceding goals from free kicks with 26.
When looking at individual players, the numbers throw up some predictable, but interesting results.
Melbourne’s own Mark Jamar, enjoying a breakout year in the ruck, heads the list for both free kicks for (39) and frees against (36).
Not surprisingly, ruckmen fill the first three places in terms of free kicks against, with Darren Jolly (35) and Dean Brogan (32) close behind the Demon big man.
Umpires are heavily focused on the ruckmen at stoppages, so it’s natural for them to be conceding a high number of free kicks.
What is surprising is that Jamar has received seven more free kicks than the next player, with Luke Hodge (32) and Lenny Hayes (29) part of the chasing pack.
Spare a thought for the likes of Cameron Ling (6 free kicks for, 27 against), Levi Greenwood (5 for, 26 against) and Lindsay Thomas (7 for, 23 against), who have the most lopsided free kick counts in the competition.
Our own Colin Garland hasn’t fared too well either, conceding 18 free kicks and receiving only 4 in return.
Aside from Jamar, midfielders dominate the free kick column this year. Jimmy Bartel has been awarded 34 free kicks thus far, giving away only 12. Daniel Cross (32 for, 15 against) and Adam Selwood (32 for, 12 against) have also found themselves on the right side of the ledger this season.
And every year there are a few players who fail to make any impact at all with the umpires.
Think about North Melbourne youngster Ben Cunnington, who played his 11th AFL game last weekend and received his first free kick of the year. Or Hawthorn’s Rick Ladson, who has conceded only one free kick despite playing 10 games this season.
Not involved in enough contests, or just a little lucky? You be the judge.
What is surprising is that Jamar has received seven more free kicks than the next player, with Luke Hodge (32) and Lenny Hayes (29) part of the chasing pack.
Spare a thought for the likes of Cameron Ling (6 free kicks for, 27 against), Levi Greenwood (5 for, 26 against) and Lindsay Thomas (7 for, 23 against), who have the most lopsided free kick counts in the competition.
Our own Colin Garland hasn’t fared too well either, conceding 18 free kicks and receiving only 4 in return.
Aside from Jamar, midfielders dominate the free kick column this year. Jimmy Bartel has been awarded 34 free kicks thus far, giving away only 12. Daniel Cross (32 for, 15 against) and Adam Selwood (32 for, 12 against) have also found themselves on the right side of the ledger this season.
And every year there are a few players who fail to make any impact at all with the umpires.
Think about North Melbourne youngster Ben Cunnington, who played his 11th AFL game last weekend and received his first free kick of the year. Or Hawthorn’s Rick Ladson, who has conceded only one free kick despite playing 10 games this season.
Not involved in enough contests, or just a little lucky? You be the judge.
