📊 Statistically Speaking: Round 5

In our weekly column, Statistically Speaking, we scoured the Champion Data stats to review Round 5 by the numbers.

STAR PERFORMER

Canberra midfielder Alex Smout was super impressive in the Demons’ close loss to the GIANTS on Friday night. Coming up against a strong AFL club, Smout dominated the midfield with 40 disposals (20 of which were contested), 12 clearances, six inside 50s and a goal. His performance earned 178 Champion Data ranking points, and Smout was duly awarded best-on-ground for his efforts.

RANKINGS RULER

Sydney defender Colin O’Riordan was simply outstanding on Saturday as a young and inexperienced Swans outfit was under the pump against a Brisbane side featuring 21 AFL-listed players. Showing his class, ORiordan finished with 41 disposals at an elite 80% efficiency rate, plus eight marks and 10 rebound 50s for a total of 183 Champion Data ranking points. O’Riordan leads the NEAFL in total ranking points (727) and average per game (145) after five rounds.

ROOKIE WATCH

First-year GIANTS draftee Ian ‘Bobby’ Hill is certainly making an impression in his NEAFL games so far. The exciting small forward was again amongst the highlights reel on Friday night, collecting 18 disposals, seven inside 50s and 2.3 in the GIANTS’ 14-point victory. His development is sure to excite fans as he pushes for an AFL debut this year.

BACK WITH A BANG

Sean Lemmens wasted no time having an impact in his return from an ankle injury, dominating against NT Thunder in Darwin to help Gold Coast to a historic first win at TIO Stadium. Lemmens, who was on managed game time, finished with 28 disposals, nine clearances, eight inside 50s and 4.1. You get the feeling he won’t be hanging around the NEAFL for very long.

FLAWLESS EAGLES

Brisbane defender Matt Eagles was named best-on-ground for the Lions in their comfortable victory over Sydney at South Pine, and he barely put a foot wrong – literally. Eagles had 11 kicks and five handballs and hit the target every time, recording a disposal efficiency rate of 100% for his 16 disposals. To make the performance even more impressive, half of his total disposals and eight marks were contested.

RUCKMAN LOCK HORNS

The battle between Aspley’s Jake Spencer and Redland’s Craig Malone was one of the features of their clash at Scottsdale Park on Sunday. Malone – in career-best form – and Spencer, who made last year’s Team of the Year, were both named among their side’s best players as they went toe-to-toe in the ruck. It’s hard to split them, with Malone finishing with 20 disposals (16 contested), five marks, 42 hit-outs (nine to advantage), six clearances, and Spencer with 17 disposals (13 contested), eight marks, 28 hit-outs (10 to advantage) and six clearances. A fantastic battle.

HISTORY MAKERS

Two clubs created their own slice of history in Round 5 with Southport and Gold Coast winning their first games at Blacktown International Sportspark and TIO Stadium respectively. The Sharks won their first game at the venue in six attempts, whilst the SUNS waited nine long years to sing the song in Darwin, having lost to Thunder every season since the competition began. Gold Coast became the last team in the NEAFL to win at TIO Stadium.

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