📊 Statistically Speaking: Round 6

In our weekly column, Statistically Speaking, we scoured the Champion Data stats to review Round 6 by the numbers.

STAR PERFORMER

Sydney University midfielder Jake Bartholomaues was a standout in a losing side to Sydney at Henson Park on Saturday. A Rising Star nominee last year, Bartholomaues was impressive with 23 disposals (11 contested), four clearances, seven inside 50s, two goals and 11 tackles. The 21-year-old continues to grow in stature and has a bright future at NEAFL level.

RANKINGS RULER

Sydney’s Ryan Clarke has dominated for the second week in a row to top the Champion Data ranking charts in Round 6. Clarke amassed 42 disposals, 11 tackles, five inside 50s and a goal (totalling 163 ranking points) to be one of the key performers in the Swans’ victory. It follows on from a huge performance last week, where the 21-year-old had 47 disposals, 11 rebound 50s and seven clearances against Brisbane.

ROOKIE WATCH

Gold Coast SUNS Academy gun Connor Budarick slotted straight in to the NEAFL team with ease on the weekend to be one of a few academy players who produced eye-catching performances. Fresh off a stellar campaign in the NAB League, Budarick collected 22 disposals (12 contested), six clearances, five inside 50s and five tackles in the SUNS win over Aspley.

ROOS BLOSSOMING

Southport’s Tyler Roos is making a name for himself as a midfielder this year for the Sharks. A regular defender last season in his first year at the club, Roos has been thrown in to the middle to add an extra bow to his game in the hopes of being drafted as a mature-age player. He produced his best performance so far in the Sharks tight win over NT Thunder on Saturday, finishing with 38 disposals, five clearances and seven tackles.

THUNDER BREWING

NT Thunder almost pulled off a massive upset on Saturday when they rattled Southport, falling just short by 11 points. Whilst they didn’t get the win, Thunder once again proved just how dangerous they are on the rebound. Beaten soundly in disposals (465-324), contested possessions (182-148), and clearances (42-35), Thunder kicked an incredible 80 of their 96 points from turnovers, and ended the match with the same number of inside 50s.

STOPPAGE KINGS

The Brisbane Lions may boast a heathly list, regularly running out with 18+ AFL-listed players every week, but their midfield should be commended for some impressive work. The Lions are the kings of scores from stoppages, leading the NEAFL in every key area of scores from centre bounces, throw ins, and general ball ups, with a strike rate of 14.5% of scores from stoppages. The next best team is Sydney with a strike rate of 9.7%. The two most damaging players? Corey Lyons and Ryan Bastinac have kicked a combined 101 points from stoppages in the opening six rounds.

GOLDEN BOOT

Sydney University defender Adam Gulden has been slicing up opposition with his dominant foot. The 27-year-old leads the competition in effective kicks with an average of 15.8 per game. Impressively, those who trail him in this stat is six AFL-listed players – Colin O’Riordan (Sydney), Harry Perryman (GIANTS), Will Brodie (Gold Coast), Allen Christensen (Brisbane), Jacob Allison (Brisbane) and Aaron Young (Gold Coast), who all range from 14-12.7 average effective kicks per game.

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