📊 Statistically Speaking: Round 10

In our weekly column, Statistically Speaking, we scoured the Champion Data stats to review Round 10 by the numbers.

STAR PERFORMER

Sydney rookie Sam Wicks has had bigger and better performances each week, and Sunday’s clash against the GIANTS went up another level again. The 19-year-old starred with an impressive stat line, which included 40 disposals (19 contested), eight clearances, nine inside 50s, six rebound 50s and eight tackles. Wicks also had 11 unique score involvements – the equal highest of the round – as the Swans lost a close one by 25 points at Blacktown.

RANKINGS RULER

Brisbane’s Ryan Lester topped the ranking charts this week after a superb match against Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium. The 26-year-old collected 33 disposals at an elite 81.8% efficiency, plus 14 marks, and ended with 172 Champion Data ranking points in the Lions’ 30-point victory. His teammate Ryan Bastinac was second of 167 points, after a big match which netted 38 disposals, 13 marks, sic inside 50s and a goal.

ROOKIE WATCH

Sydney Uni youngster Josh Stern enjoyed a day out against NT Thunder on Saturday, kicking five goals as the Students ran away with a 39-point win at Blacktown. Stern, 20, is enjoyed a solid season at his new club, averaging 14 disposals, 4.4 marks and 1.5 goals per game since crossing over from the Swans Academy this year.

GULDEN HAS THE GOODS

Adam Gulden yet again showed his star power on the weekend with a starring role in defence for the Students. Gulden was everywhere, racking up 36 disposals, 11 marks and 11 rebound 50s. His ultimate power is his deadly kick; not only is it his preferred method of disposal (averages 20 per game) but it is his lethal accuracy which does the damage. He leads the competition in effective kicks with 124 so far this year, 14 more than the next best player in Canberra’s Angus Baker.

BAKER TOPS THE CHARTS

Speaking of Angus Baker, the young Canberra defender can lay claim to the competition’s best player so far, according to Champion Data. A NEAFL Rising Star nominee this season, Baker leads the competition in total ranking points after 10 rounds (1129 in total) with an average of 125 points per game – an impressive effort from the 20-year-old. The next best player? Three-time NEAFL MVP winner Matthew Payne (1063 points).

CONTESTED BEAST

Another week, another masterclass in contested football from NT Thunder star Abraham Ankers. The inside midfielder was NT’s best player on the day with 29 disposals (15 contested), plus 11 clearances and 10 tackles. Ankers is ranked No.1 in the competition for total contested possessions ahead of Sydney’s James Rowbottom, Canberra’s Mitch Maguire and Payne. So far this year, 55% of Ankers’ total disposals are contested.

SHARKS OWNS THE CORRIDOR

The Sharks were dominate in the second half in their victory over Canberra on Saturday, and completely owned the middle of the ground. Southport kicked 15 of their 16 goals from the corridor at an impressive 93% accuracy, missing only once. The Sharks are ranked equal second in the competition alongside Brisbane for highest percentage of goals from this area of the ground (85%). Top spot belongs to NT Thunder, which has scored an impressive 92% of their goals from the corridor.

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