Eastern league: Top 25 Premier Division players analysed

We analyse the top players in the Eastern league’s Premier Division after six rounds. See our special radar charts.

Lachie Johns, Jake Spencer, Liam Cox and Zac Clarke are among the Eastern league’s top names.

We’re six rounds down in the Eastern league’s Premier Division and a host of names have starred to figure among the comp’s top 25 players.

We take a deeper look at each of the current top-ranked 25 based on Premier Data’s ranking points system, including where each player has stood out from their peers.

A number of key stats have also been summarised with a radar chart under each player’s name.

These radar charts represent the average consistency of a player across all rounds by key statistic.

Each player’s metrics are scaled against the average value of that metric for all players across all rounds, giving a score of between 0-100.

The closer to the outside edge, the stronger the player is in that stat. The closer to the centre, the weaker the player’s score.

Scroll down for the full list and a breakdown on ranking points.

Jake Spencer (Doncaster)

Has taken all before him in his first Eastern league season at the Sharks. The ex-Melbourne ruckman has led the comp with hit-outs to date (231), shouldering most of the rucking duties. His influence has been profound, with the Sharks finishing on top in hit-outs to advantage in each of their matches to date. But he’s also seventh in the comp for clearances (34) and contested possessions (56). Season has been highlighted by a 246 ranking-point haul in Round 6 against Berwick, following 35 possessions (21 contested), 57 hit-outs, 12 clearances, five inside-50s and a goal in the Sharks’ breakthrough first win of the season.

Liam Buxton (Vermont)

The former Casey big man has made a resounding return to the Eagles this season as he’s proven with his presence in the ruck and up forward. He’s ranked first in the competition for contested marks (17), also topping the pack for score involvements (34), while he also sits third for hit-outs (185). Season highlighted by a bag of six against Doncaster in Round 4, before hauling in 35 hit-outs, 21 disposals and seven clearances in Round 6 against North Ringwood.

Kyle Martin (Noble Park)

Has missed a game through injury but that hasn’t worried the decorated Bulls skipper as he continues to rack up the numbers. No. 1 for clearances in the comp with 47, third for inside-50s (34), fourth for contested possessions (65), and equal-fifth for disposals (141). Also sits second for frees-for, with 15 to date.

Zac Clarke (Doncaster East)

Like Spencer, the ex-AFL name has proven more than a handful for opposing ruckmen this season, sitting just behind the big Shark on hit-outs with 229. He’s also been handy in the clearances garnering 30 (11th overall) and 43 contested possessions (equal-15th). Has three times landed more than 150 ranking points in a match – led by 219 in Round 1 against Blackburn as he helped himself to 70 hit-outs, 10 clearances and 19 disposals.

Jackson Sketcher (Noble Park)

Continues to stand up as one of the Bulls’ most crucial engine room cogs. Leads the comp for contested possessions (89), six ahead of the next best, while he’s also found the most footy of any player this season, leading the disposal count with 163 – seven ahead. Fourth for clearances (43), kicks (107) and handballs (56), and seventh for inside-50s (29).

Lachlan Johns (Vermont)

Has been a standout in the Eagles’ pursuit for a third consecutive flag, with the dual premiership skipper not only finding plenty of the ball, but having an impact on the scoreboard. Ranked first for inside-50s (47), third for kicks (118) and fourth for disposals (147), but has also kicked 12 goals to be placed equal-sixth. His last outing produced 32 disposals, six clearances, 16 inside-50s, seven rebound-50s, five tackles and a goal, but big numbers are no anomaly for Johns – he’s been in Vermont’s best consistently this season.

Ryan Morrison (Noble Park)

Returned to Moodemere St after a stint with rival club Rowville, and has slotted back in seamlessly. The key Bulls defender is first for kicks (133) and marks (49) and second for disposals (156), while also claiming 58 rebound-50s to date. Leader of a sound back six which has conceded just 344 points in the opening six rounds, ranked third in the competition.

Jordan Walker (South Croydon)

The former Box Hill Hawk and Eastern Ranges premiership player has had no problem finding the footy on the inside or the outside after six rounds. Has gathered 62 contested possessions, 41 clearances and 31 inside-50s – all placed fifth in the competition. He’s equal-seventh for disposals (130) and 11th for kicks (86). Has been a major part of South Croydon’s charge this season, with the club sitting atop the Premier Division ladder with a 5-1 record.

Max King (South Croydon)

The fact that the big Bulldog has missed the past two matches but still remains among the league’s top rankings speaks volumes of the impact he had in the first four matches. He averaged 38.3 hit-outs a match – highlighted by a whopping 61 in Round 2 against Blackburn to go with 26 disposals (13 contested possessions) and 10 clearances for 274 ranking points.

Tom Maloney (Norwood)

One of the league’s boom signings this season – and the premiership Box Hill Hawk has certainly lived up to the hype. Led the charge last round with a game-leading 12 tackles to go with 30 disposals, 17 contested possessions, 12 clearances and a goal to finish with 178 ranking points. But he’s been consistently good all season, sitting second for clearances (46), third for contested possessions (74), equal-seventh for disposals (130), eighth for inside-50s (27) and ninth for score involvements (22). Norwood has a beauty here.

Liam Cox (South Croydon)

Tackling machine. Has made the move from the outside to the inside this season according to coach Marcus Buzaglo – and it’s proven to be a winner. Leads the comp for tackles (54), and has won his share of the contested ball (55 contested possessions, tied for seventh). The Bulldogs’ skipper also ranks high for score involvements (27, equal-fourth), while he sits 11th for inside-50s (23).

Lachlan McDonald (Rowville)

Like many of his teammates, McDonald has been hampered by injury for most of the campaign, but the numbers the gun Hawk mid has been producing speak volumes of the player he is. Ranked third overall for clearances (45), sixth for contested possessions (58) and inside-50s (30), and ninth for disposals (123). Averaging 24.6 disposals a game, to go with an average of nine clearances. Current season break allows a rest which should have the premier mid primed for a big back half of the year.

Ben Daniher (Blackburn)

Continues to be one of the Panthers’ key drivers on the inside as he leads his club across a range of areas. Tops the club for clearances (33), contested possessions (83, second in the comp), disposals (140), handballs (64) and inside-50s (26), and along with teammate Jason Read who is second at the club for clearances (23) and contested possessions (49) – and second in the comp for tackles (48), the coach says they’re “playing tough”.

Nikolas Schoenmakers (Rowville)

The big Hawk is among the top ruckmen in the competition with 170 hit-outs to date, going at an average of 42.5 per game – only Spencer, Clarke and Buxton have pulled in more. Coach Ben Wise says he’s shouldering about 75 per cent of the load, but has the capacity to go longer if the occasion calls for it. Making his presence felt when he doesn’t have the footy, too – 28 tackles for the season to sit just outside the top 10 in the comp.

Billy Schilling (North Ringwood)

One of the comp’s premier swingmen. In attack, he’s booted 10 majors from five appearances this season (seventh overall) including four in his side’s breakthrough win against Doncaster East. In fact, he started the season with nine from his first three matches. But it was his last outing in Round 6 against Vermont where he played arguably his best game of the season – in defence. Brought in 34 disposals and 12 rebound-50s to go towards 108 ranking points. Has been among the Saints’ best in all but one match this campaign.

Robin Nahas (North Ringwood)

The former AFL Tiger and Kangaroo has been a super addition to the Saints, racking up plenty of the footy. Third overall for disposals (152), behind only Noble Park pair Ryan Morrison and Jackson Sketcher. The playing-coach is going at an average of 30.4 disposals a game, including 24.2 kicks as he provides his side plenty of speed and run on the outside.

Tom Glen (Noble Park)

Averaging 23.5 disposals a game, with his season highlighted by a Round 4 performance which produced 29 disposals at 82 per cent efficiency, among 12 marks and four rebound-50s for 130 ranking points. Been one of the Bulls’ top few to date, and a key reason they’re flying at the top rungs of the ladder. Level-pegging with teammate Kyle Martin for disposals (141), equal-fifth in the competition.

Nick Evans (South Croydon)

Among the Bulldogs’ top performers having played all six matches so far, highlighted by an average of 20.2 disposals a match along with 8.5 rebound-50s. The wingman enjoyed a best afield display in the Round 4 clash with Rowville to help his side into second position on the ladder, as he gathered 32 touches and 13 rebound-50s to finish with 146 ranking points.

Samuel Harte (Blackburn)

Has been one of, if not the, most reliable for the Panthers with ball in hand this season. As coach Brendan Allen said recently – “The best thing about him at the moment is, ball in hand, he’s going at about 75 to 80 per cent efficiency – he doesn’t waste a possession.” The young gun has also found a place in a Blackburn side in hot demand for spots, with no trouble finding the footy, highlighted by 105 disposals, 21 inside-50s, 74 kicks, 31 marks (equal-ninth overall) and 19 score involvements.

Paul Pattison (Balwyn)

Slid down the pecking order following last round, but that was owing to the Tigers’ bye. Prior to that, Pattison had been in seventh spot before dropping to 20th. The former Casey name’s numbers have been solid in his first year at Cherry Rd, highlighted by clearances (37, sixth) and contested and possessions 55 (equal-ninth). He’s also tied for 14th with teammate Shaun Cross for disposals (110), and has proven to be a find for the Premier powerhouse.

Blake Pearson (Norwood)

Former Port Melbourne gun hit the ground running in the opening six weeks, setting the tone with a five-goal performance on debut for Norwood. The hard-at-it mid has averaged 22 disposals in the opening six rounds, gathering 25 in his last match in Round 6 to go with two goals. Sits sixth overall for goals (11).

Jake Gains (Noble Park)

It’s a testament to the Bulls tall that he figures among the top 25 – he’s had a demanding start having come up against many of the comp’s premier big men in the opening six rounds. Has stood up again in the absence of No. 1 ruckman Kieran Byers who’s played just the two matches this season, averaging 21.5 hit-outs a game. The former Casey big man is equal-14th for score-involvements so far (17) and tackles (26).

Liam Patterson (Blackburn)

Another Burner who’s brought a hard edge, evidenced by his 32 tackles to date (ninth overall and just one behind teammate Ben Daniher), highlighted with nine against Balwyn in Round 4. It’s the gritty stuff standing out for Patterson with 29 one-percenters to his name, but he’s also averaging 17.5 disposals a game. Has reeled in no fewer than 80 ranking points a week in all six matches this season, in a consistent start for the former club junior.

Simon White (Doncaster East)

The former Carlton defender has turned out another consistent campaign, with the skipper’s numbers again at the Lions’ forefront. Averaging 25.5 disposals per match, 10 rebound-50s, 8.3 marks and 5.8 intercept marks. Second only to Zac Clarke at the club for ranking points, averaging 134 a week. Has missed one of the matches this season but like a handful of his peers across the competition, his impact in all his appearances have off-set any absence to remain among the top names.

Mackenzie Doreian (Blackburn)

The Box Hill Hawks-listed young gun has the Blackburn coach convinced an opportunity at state level is on the horizon – and the numbers go a long way to explaining why. His tireless output so far has him leading the club for disposals (111) and inside-50s (39, second overall), and sits second in the comp for score involvements (32). Kicked a match-winner against Doncaster East in Round 1, too.

FULL RANKINGS BY POINTS

WHAT ARE ‘RANKING POINTS’ & HOW ARE THEY CALCULATED?

Premier Data uses these points to determine the appropriate ranking of a player’s match. If a player’s total points equals a decimal point (e.g. 102.5 points), it will be rounded up to the nearest point.

Below is every statistic’s point values:

Effective kick: 3

Ineffective kick: 1

Effective handball: 2

Ineffective handball: 1

Handball receive: 0.5

Contested disposal: 1

Contested mark: 3.5

Uncontested mark: 2

Intercept possession: 1

Intercept mark: 3

All clearances: 3

Inside 50 - shallow: 2

Inside 50 - deep: 2

Mark inside 50 - shallow: 2.5

Mark inside 50 - deep: 2.5

Rebound 50 - shallow: 2.5

Rebound 50 - deep: 2.5

Hard-ball get: 1

Loose-ball get: 0.5

Hit-out: 1

Hit-out to advantage: 2.5

Tackle effective: 3

Tackle ineffective: 1

Block: 2

Chase: 1

Smother: 2

Spoil: 2

Turnover: -2

Out of bounds: -3

50m penalty: -4

Free for: 2

Free against: -2.5

Goals: 6

Behinds: 1