Kane Mitchell and Rory Sloane revealed as SA clubs’ pressure kings

PLAYERS who can apply constant pressure and cause turnovers are each club’s underrated diamonds. Now they’re being recognised.

10/5/14 - AFL Round 8 - Port Adelaide v Fremantle at Adelaide Oval - Kane Mitchell tackles Lachie Neale Picture Simon Cross

KANE Mitchell’s tremendous work ethic and Rory Sloane’s fighting spirit have been acknowledged in Champion Data’s midseason pressure ratings.

In a rare insight into which AFL players turn the heat up most on the opposition, Port Adelaide running machine Mitchell and Adelaide lionheart Sloane stand head and shoulders among their teammates.

While Bulldog Tom Liberatore’s standout year and insatiable appetite to win the ball has seen him officially recognised as the league’s top pressure player, Mitchell and Sloane both rank in the elite category, sitting third and sixth respectively.

Champion’s comprehensive pressure points table is a true indication of just how much pressure a player puts on the opposition.

It grades pressure acts with a points system, based on effort.

More points are awarded for higher levels of pressure, with physical contact at the point of an opponent’s disposal carrying the most weight.

Pressure categories include corralling (1.20 points), chasing (1.50), closing (2.25) and physical (3.75).

As the table illustrates, physical pressure results in an opponent’s kicking and handball efficiency being the most affected, leading to a greater points value.

Statistics show that when a player is put under no pressure in general play, which occurs with an average of 16.1 per cent of disposals a game, kicking efficiency is at a high 72.8 per cent.

This drops to just 22.8 per cent when a player is subjected to strong physical pressure.

Liberatore has an average pressure points rating of 68.5 — 2.2 greater than nearest rival, Sydney hard nut Ben McGlynn.

Mitchell has a high pressure stakes reading of 65.1, ahead of Brisbane’s Tom Rockliff (63.1), tenacious St Kilda veteran Lenny Hayes (58.6) and Sloane (57.4).

Crows 2010 club champion Richard Douglas ranks second at Crowland and 17th in the league with a pressure points average of 52.2.

In-form midfielder Brad Ebert (51.4 average) is the second-ranked Power player and 21st in the competition.

Second-year sensation Ollie Wines (50.4 points) and inspirational captain Travis Boak (42.9) also rank highly at Port while ferocious forward Jared Petrenko (45), sidelined with leg stress fractures, and speedy wingman David Mackay (44.8) round out Adelaide’s top four pressure men.

Not surprisingly, the pressure leader board is filled with midfielders because they are involved in so much play.

Ebert said pressure statistics are highly valued at AFL clubs.

He said the Power’s season of success had been built more on defence than offence, despite the club having played an exciting brand of football and sitting second in total points scored with an average of 109.8 a game.

Only premier Hawthorn (116.9 points) has scored more fluently than top-of-the-table Port this year.

“Everyone likes to talk offence but we have based our game on our defence and defensive pressure,’’ Ebert said, noting the Power ranks fourth in scores conceded (76.4 points).

“Pressure acts are a key indicator for clubs and Kane has been important for us with his run and ability to pressure the opposition into making mistakes.

“One of the keys to being successful is being able to force turnovers, especially in your forward half.

“Ken (coach Ken Hinkley) is strong on that because if you can do it and win the ball back in your half of the ground you can usually hit the scoreboard.’’

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Originally published as Kane Mitchell and Rory Sloane revealed as SA clubs’ pressure kings