📊 Statistically Speaking: Round 7

In our weekly column, Statistically Speaking, we scoured the Champion Data stats to review Round 7 by the numbers.

STAR PERFORMER

Nick Shipley was the standout performer of the round after he was a clear best-on-ground in the GIANTS win over the previously undefeated Southport at GIANTS Stadium on Sunday. The young gun had 41 disposals, 21 of which were contested, nine clearances, five tackles and four inside 50s as the GIANTS ran out 48-point winners.

RANKINGS RULER

It was the Billy Murphy show at TIO Stadium on Saturday night as small forward Billy Murphy ran amok with six goals. Nine of his 10 disposals were contested, as the former Box Hill goalsneak also added seven tackles to his stats sheet for a total of 166 Champion Data ranking points. Murphy beat another star forward in Matt Hammelmann (154 points), who also booted six majors this week, and Shipley (146).

ROOKIE WATCH

Sydney University’s Michael Carroll produced arguably his best performance for his new club in the Students’ 20-point victory over Redland. The 19-year-old former Swans Academy member was among his side’s best after 18 disposals at 88% efficiency, eight marks and seven rebound 50s.

‘TINY’ STANDING TALL

NEAFL fans, we need to talk about Redland ruckman Craig Malone. On Saturday he broke in to the top 10 leaderboard for most hit-outs in a game for the FOURTH time. The 198cm and 115kg big man, nicknamed ‘tiny’ by his teammates, racked up 70 hit-outs against the Students at Henson Park, including 19 hit-outs to advantage – also a top 10 record for that statistical category. To illustrate Malone’s dominance this season, he holds the top four spots for most hit-outs in a game in 2019 with 73 (Rd 3 v Sydney), 70 (Rd 7 v Uni), 60 (Rd 4 v NT), and 57 (Rd 2 v Canberra). The next best is GIANTS’ Dawson Simpson, who had 55 against Canberra in Round 5.

GOALKICKERS IN FORM

The NEAFL Goalkicking Leaderboard remains tight at the top after a few bags this weekend. Matt Hammelmann and Billy Murphy both kicked six and GIANTS’ Zach Sproule added five to his name to sour up the leaderboard. Hammelmann and Sydney Uni’s Tristan Davies now share the lead with 21 each, followed by Murphy (20) and Sproule and Brisbane’s Ben Keays (19 each).

BOMBERS FAILED TO CONVERT

The Bombers midfield had a blinder on Saturday, winning the contested possession count 163-131, clearances 54-32 and hit-outs 75-22. Four players – Sam Cunnington, Damian Steven, Hayden Bertoli-Simmonds and Clay Cameron produced 11+ contested possessions each as the Bombers went inside their forward 50 arc a whopping 42 more times than the Students. But Redland lost the game. They only scored 37% of the time they went inside 50, as the Students rebounded with devastating effect, scoring 7.1 from score launches originating in the defensive 50.

POSITIVIE SIGNS FOR ASPLEY

Aspley brought is ‘A game’ to Darwin on Saturday night when they bounced back to form with a 79-point victory against NT Thunder. The Hornets lead the round for total ‘positives’ with 127, which included 79 tackles (round high), 20 spoils, seven knock-ons, and 11 running bounces.

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