Pure Footy: David King and Daniel Hoyne lift lid on AFL trends, stats after Round 18

Stats gurus have Sydney as the ‘fourth seed’ in this year’s premiership race. And a remarkable Lance Franklin stat is a key reason why. Watch Pure Footy here.

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July 20, 2021 - 4:54PM

News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom

Pure Footy

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Lance Franklin has wound back the clock to help Sydney make a shock run at the top four.

The 34-year-old is producing numbers not seen for years - or ever - in the eighth season of his nine-year deal since crossing from Hawthorn.

And it’s no coincidence the Swans have fourth-placed Port Adelaide and fifth-placed Brisbane looking over their shoulders.

Speaking on Pure Footy - the weekly AFL analysis show exclusive to heraldsun.com.au - Champion Data analyst Daniel Hoyne said he had Sydney as his “fourth seed” for the 2021 premiership.

And Buddy is a huge part of that.

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Lance Franklin is the No. 1 rated key-forward in the AFL this year. Picture: Jono Searle/AFL Photos

“He’s the No.1 rated key forward in the competition this season based on averages,” Hoyne said.

Franklin is ranked No.2 in the AFL for goals per game, No.5 for score involvements and No.2 in his position for tackles.

And there is another even more amazing number.

“Buddy’s kicking is the best that we’ve seen in his career,” Hoyne said.

Based on Champion Data’s expected kick ratings, which factor in the difficulty of shots at goal, Franklin was expected to have put 195 points on the scoreboard in 2021 so far.

“He’s got 239 points, so his accuracy has actually generated 44 more points on the scoreboard this year. That’s the biggest (positive) differential of any player in the competition.

“On the flip side Aaron Naughton has cost himself 50 points on the scoreboard this year due to his inaccuracy.”

Hoyne and North Melbourne champion David King also discussed the players who have suffered the biggest post-bye form slumps, why Geelong is a clear premiership favourite, Hawthorn’s late draft gem and more.