The players who are underrated and under the pump at your club
WHO is flying under the radar at your club and who needs to lift? SAM LANDSBERGER takes a look at the numbers with Champion Data to find out the answer.
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WHO is flying under the radar and who needs to lift at your club?
SAM LANDSBERGER takes a look at the numbers with Champion Data to find out the answer.
DEBATE: WHO PLAYED FOOTY’S BEST INDIVIDUAL SEASON?
360 VIEW: THE DOUBT ON DEES THAT WON’T GO AWAY
ADELAIDE
Underrated: HUGH GREENWOOD
The Basketball convert from NBL club Perth Wildcats is the AFL’s No.3 pressure player.
Greenwood, 26, has won 73 per cent of his possessions contested — the highest percentage of any midfielder.
Under the pump: JOSH JENKINS
This basketball convert is one of many Crows down on 2017. Jenkins is rated below average for a key forward and is averaging 1.6 goals a game, down on 2 from 12 months ago.
BRISBANE LIONS
Underrated: HARRIS ANDREWS
All-Australian full-back? Andrews, who was knocked out in yesterday’s GWS clash, is ranked No.1 in the AFL for spoils (11.5 a game) and is rated above average in every key area for a key defender. Jesse Hogan is the only forward to kick more than two goals on him.
Under the pump: SAM MAYES
Celebrated his 100th game before the Lions’ bye, but is at the crossroads. A regular in the past two seasons, the No.8 pick from 2012 has managed only five games this year. The South Australian is contracted for 2019 but his value is slipping.
CARLTON
Underrated: ED CURNOW
Charlie’s brother is having a very good year in the midfield. He’s rated above average for disposals, clearances, goals and pressure. Gets the big jobs — Steele Sidebottom, Shaun Higgins, Luke Shuey, Zach Merrett, Joel Selwood and Nat Fyfe. Who does he take on Sunday?
Under the pump: MATTHEW KENNEDY
Champion Data rates the 21-year-old poor for disposals, contested footy, uncontested footy and he hasn’t kicked a goal from five games. The high draft pick returns today after an ankle injury and is yet to play nine consecutive games.
COLLINGWOOD
Underrated: JOSH THOMAS
Lost two years to a drug ban, but his impact now is two-fold. There’s his scoreboard impact — Thomas is rated an elite goalkicker (20.6) and above average for score involvements — and there’s his giving Nathan Buckley an extra midfield rotation so DeGoey, Sidebottom, Treloar and Pendlebury can be spun around the ground.
Under the pump: DARCY MOORE
Injuries have cruelled him and it’s unclear where he fits in Collingwood’s best 22. Which end does he belong at? Top-10 draft pick who is out of contract and has broken down early in two out of his four games. Pies probably wouldn’t mind swapping him for Sydney’s first-round pick and banking some cash for others.
ESSENDON
Underrated: TOM BELLCHAMBERS
He is the AFL’s No.1 intercept marking ruckman (1.7 per game) and his ruck work is rated the fourth-best for hitouts to advantage. Essendon’s first-quarter dominance on Thursday night started in the midfield, where he monstered Nic Nat.
Under the pump: DAVID MYERS
He is rated below average for disposals, metres gained and pressure and his overall midfield rating is poor. Contracted for next season although will blow out 29 birthday candles next week.
FREMANTLE
Underrated: LUKE RYAN
Rated an elite intercept mark (2.6 per game) and above average for metres gained (385m). The fun-loving lad from Coburg was regarded as the Nick Maxwell of the VFL before receiving his AFL chance as a mature-ager.
Under the pump: CAM MCCARTHY
Remember in 2015 when this bloke was slotting miraculous goals on his way to kicking big bags at GWS? Now he’s rated the third-worst key forward in the AFL, averaging just over a goal a game and 10 disposals. Dropped to the WAFL this month, where he’s also been used in defence.
GEELONG
Underrated: SAM MENEGOLA
Rated as the third-best general forward in the competition, ranking No.2 in his position for disposals (22.2) and contested possessions (9.3) and has also averaged a goal per game.
Under the pump: JACKSON THURLOW
Tassie boy has averaged only 16 disposals from his five games this season. In his sixth year, Thurlow is yet to demand selection in coach Chris Scott’s team. The first-round selection falls out of contract this year.
GOLD COAST
Underrated: TOUK MILLER
The Suns are the only AFL club that do not have a single player rated above average by Champion Data. But it is a tick for Touk, who is going OK for contested possessions and pressure.
Under the pump: JACK MARTIN
The hype around him has evaporated on the glitter strip. Malcolm Blight said Martin’s draft tape was the best he’d ever seen and the West Australian signed a five-year contract before he was eligible to play AFL. He’s an elite mark, but the Suns would want more.
GWS GIANTS
Underrated: HEATH SHAW
How many wrote him off after a disappointing game in Geelong on a Friday night? The big stage letdown might sit in the forefront, but the 32-year-old is delivering a damaging season. Ranked No.2 in the AFL for metres gained (534m) and, for his position, No.5 for intercept possessions.
Under the pump: RORY LOBB
A battered Lobb is averaging the fewest disposals (8.6) and clearances of any ruckman (1.4). Now out injured with a broken back and likely to again be tempted to return to Perth next year. Boy, do the Giants still miss Shane Mumford.
HAWTHORN
Underrated: JARMAN IMPEY
The Port Adelaide recruit is so important to coach Alastair Clarkson’s gameplan. The Hawks are the No.2 forward-half pressure team in the AFL and Impey rates above average for pressure, tackling and disposals. Like a five-minute algebra test, Impey is hard and fast.
Under the pump: RYAN BURTON
He is rated below average for disposals and intercept possessions after announcing himself as a special talent in 2017. The Rising Star runner-up is starting to find his groove after a return to Box Hill earlier this year.
MELBOURNE
Underrated: ALEX NEAL-BULLEN
Rated above average for disposals, contested possessions, goals and is an elite pressure player. This kid also blows up the GPS most weeks and runs at high speeds. Outside of footy, “Nibbler” is passionate about helping children with learning disabilities.
Under the pump: JAYDEN HUNT
Averaging 12 disposals, three intercept possessions and less than one intercept mark from five games this year. Brighton Grammar boy with rockets in his boots has dropped 120m gained per match from last year. Hunt has unusually big fingers — can he pull one out and return to Simon Goodwin’s side soon?
NORTH MELBOURNE
Underrated: BEN CUNNINGTON
Geelong coach Chris Scott said Cunnington might be the best inside player in the AFL. Well, he ranks fifth in the AFL for contested possessions, fifth for groundball gets and third for clearances. Time to take notice of a rival’s praise. It might be bang on.
Under the pump: SAM WRIGHT
Well, he isn’t under the pump. In fact, after four bouts of ankle surgery it’s terrific to see him fit again. But not many Roos fit this category and his numbers are low. Kicked an amazing goal on his backside against Brisbane to spark hope he get back to his best.
PORT ADELAIDE
Underrated: TOM JONAS
For key defenders Jonas ranks fourth for disposals and uncontested possessions, third for intercept possessions and first for marks. Outside of that it Jonas’s bodywork and attack stands out. Tom Rockliff says he should be the All-Australian full-back and Ken Hinkley says he’s among the game’s best defenders. Could you pick the former rookie out of a police line-up?
Under the pump: JACK WATTS
Footy’s nice guy is the lowest-rated forward at Port Adelaide and is averaging the second fewest score involvements at the club. Watts also averages only one mark inside 50m. His perceived lack of urgency has followed him.
RICHMOND
Underrated: SHANE EDWARDS
Forget the Big Four at Tigerland, it is the High Five — Cotchin, Rance, Martin, Riewoldt and Edwards. Damien Hardwick expects that, like 350-gamer Shaun Burgoyne, Edwards will eventual receive the plaudits he deserves. Edwards’ teammates love him because he’s so invisibly cunning. No.1 score assist player in the AFL.
Under the pump: KAMDYN McINTOSH
Pinjarra boy has been a walk-up start for the past two years, although his numbers are often low. McIntosh averages the fewest disposals of any wingman (12.7), the second fewest uncontested possessions (8.7) and second fewest tackles (1.8).
ST KILDA
Underrated: JIMMY WEBSTER
Could be leading this year’s best-and-fairest with coach Alan Richardson loving the extrovert’s balance of defence and attack. Webster is rated as the fourth-best general defender, ranking second for rebound 50s and elite for intercept possessions. Shining light in a gloomy season.
Under the pump: PADDY MCCARTIN
Paddy’s camp should be picketing outside AFL House for starting positions. The No.1 pick is averaging the fourth-fewest forward-half pressure points and has the fourth-worst accuracy (36 per cent) among key forwards. Records 10 disposals per game.
SYDNEY
Underrated: CALLUM SINCLAIR
The abrupt end to Kurt Tippett’s career appears to have turbocharged him. He is averaging the sixth-most disposals and second-most goals of any ruckman. St Kilda has a habit of making him look like Tony Modra.
Under the pump: KIEREN JACK
Premiership player is rated below average for his position this year, averaging 16 disposals. Jack, 30, is averaging his fewest disposals since 2009, fewest goals since 2011 and fewest score involvements since 2008.
WEST COAST
Underrated: TOM BARRASS
Rated above average for intercept marks (2.5 per game) and spoils. Eagles have missed him the past two weeks and he was earmarked to play on Buddy Franklin. Importantly, Barrass frees up repelling star Jeremy McGovern.
Under the pump: LEWIS JETTA
Averaging only 16 disposals this season, which is below average for his position. The Eagles gave up Callum Sinclair to get Jetta, but at 29 the spark may be fading. he hasn’t scored this season.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Underrated: TOBY McLEAN
Rated elite for disposals (24.8), uncontested possessions (14.9), pressure (53pts) and tackles (six). As kind as an angel off the field and as fierce as an animal on it. Will thrive with Jackson Macrae out injured and could even overtake Macrae in the best-and-fairest.
Under the pump: JORDAN ROUGHEAD
Second-lowest rated ruckman in the AFL. Roughead is averaging the second-fewest disposals and equal-fewest clearances among all rucks and has worst hitout to advantage record (5 per cent). Premiership star has battled niggles this year and coach Luke Beveridge says the free agent is a required player, but with Tim English developing and the Boyd-Schache combination at play the lifelong Dogs supporter would be forgiven for looking around.
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Originally published as The players who are underrated and under the pump at your club