📊 Statistically Speaking: Round 21

In our weekly column, Statistically Speaking, we scoured the Champion Data stats to review Round 21 by the numbers.

STAR PERFORMER

Southport made a statement on the eve of finals when it thrashed Sydney University in the last home-and-away round, and it was co-captain Andrew Boston who was the star of the show. Boston led the way with 39 disposals, 10 clearances, five tackles and three inside 50s in the 80-point win.

RANKINGS RULER

Gold Coast SUNS ruckman Tom Nicholls gave one last impressive performance as the SUNS wrapped up their season with a win against the GIANTS on home turf. The 2019 Team of the Year ruckman led the round in Champion Data ranking points with 160 for his 21 disposals, 17 contested possessions, 42 hit-outs, nine clearances and seven tackles.

ROOKIE WATCH

What an end to the season for Canberra Demons defender Angus Baker, who not only won the NEAFL Rising Star Award, but finished runner-up in the NEAFL MVP Award. Baker polled four votes in the Demons’ loss to Redland after yet another top display, collected 29 disposals, six marks, three clearances, three round 50s, three inside 50s and a goal.

FULL STEAM AHEAD

Talk about top form heading into finals. Sydney’s James Rose was excellent against Brisbane as the Swans challenged the Lions’ unbeaten run before they went up a gear in the last. Rose ended his day with 35 disposals, 20 contested possessions, 10 clearances and 10 inside 50s. Look out, Sydney University!

FOURTH QUARTER SPECIALISTS

Brisbane went up a gear or two in the final term against Sydney to ensure it created history as the first team to go though a home-and-away side undefeated. The Lions had a fight on their hands, trailing by 31 points during the second and getting within two points at three-quarter time. They slammed on 10 goals to four in the last to run away with a 37-point win. In 2019, Brisbane has kicked a combined total of 149 more points than the next best team (Aspley) in final quarters.

FINAL LEADERBOARDS

The home-and-away season has come to an end, so let’s see how the players fared in the following key statistics.

Disposals
Alex Smout (Canberra) – 553
Angus Baker (Canberra) – 520
Mitch Maguire (Canberra) – 518
Matthew Payne (Aspley) – 517
Jake Bartholomaeus (Sydney Uni) – 499

Contested Possessions
Matthew Payne (Aspley) – 273
Abraham Ankers (NT Thunder) – 246
Jake Bartholomaeus (Sydney Uni) – 226
Andrew Boston (Southport) – 220
Mitch Maguire (Canberra) – 219

Hit-Outs
Craig Malone (Redland) – 887
Jake Spencer (Aspley) – 789
Tom Nicholls (Gold Coast) – 701
Jed Turner (Southport) – 475
Dawson Simpson (GIANTS) – 461

Clearances
Andrew Boston (Southport) – 129
Matthew Payne (Aspley) – 120
Jake Bartholomaeus (Sydney Uni) – 119
Tom Nicholls (Gold Coast) – 117
Alex Smout (Canberra) – 116

Tackles
Sam Wicks (Sydney) - 137
Bailey Stewart (Sydney Uni) – 120
Tom Berry (Brisbane) – 119
Jake Bartholomaeus (Sydney Uni) – 106
Nick Shipley (GIANTS) – 102

Rebound 50s
Adrian Williams (Redland) – 112
Jackson Allen (Aspley) – 108
Peter Yagmoor (Redland) – 95
Jake Veale (Sydney Uni) – 83
Angus Baker (Canberra) – 82

Inside 50s
Abraham Ankers (NT Thunder) - 99
Jake Bartholomaeus (Sydney Uni) – 94
Matthew Payne (Aspley) – 87
Corey Lyons (Brisbane) – 84
Ryan Bastinac (Brisbane) – 80

Goals
Matthew Hammelmann (Redland) – 66
Jono Freeman (Aspley) – 41
Tristan Davies (Sydney Uni) – 39
Ben Keays (Brisbane) – 38
Mitch Johnson (Southport) - 37

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