Toby McLean joins Joel Selwood, Luke Shuey among top high tackle free kick winners
JOEL Selwood, Allen Christensen, Luke Shuey. Western Bulldogs youngster Toby McLean looks set join the AFL’s most unwanted club.
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WESTERN Bulldogs youngster Toby McLean looks set to claim the AFL’s most unwanted tag.
After playing all seven games this season - for a career tally of just 11 - the 20-year-old is the AFL leader when it comes to receiving high tackle free kicks.
McLean has received 14 free kicks from high contact this season, one more than another player quickly earning a reputation, Lion Allen Christensen.
The Bulldogs youngster has earnt at least one high tackle free kick in every game this season.
Geelong captain Joel Selwood has long been accused of ducking or shrugging to earn high tackle free kicks and the strategy is becoming more prevalent.
Selwood is head and shoulders ahead of anyone when it comes to high tackle free kicks from 2012 to 2016 with a staggering 157, 60 more than former teammate Christensen.
The Cats star isn’t far behind McLean with 10 high tackle free kicks so far this season while Anthony Miles, Luke Shuey and Sam Mitchell are prominent on both lists.
“Shrugging” or dropping the knees has become a bugbear of fans in recent years as players drop or lean into tackles in order to win the free kick.
While McLean came into the league best known for a high-flying mark in the TAC Cup he has quickly learnt how to maximise free kicks.
The Bulldogs forward earns 10.3 per cent of his possessions from free kicks.
Unsurprisingly, ruckman dominate this statistic with Todd Goldstein (15 per cent) leading the way and Nic Naitanui, Brodie Grundy and Stef Martin not far behind.
Christensen is the top non-ruckman, earning 12 per cent of his disposals from free kicks.
HIGH TACKLE FREE KICKS AWARDED THIS SEASON
It’s not just McLean who’s in the umpires’ good books.
The men in green (yellow, white, blue) and Bulldogs came under fire last weekend after a lopsided free kick count in the win over Adelaide.
The Dogs were awarded 28 free kicks to just 12 for the Crows.
However, Champion Data statistics reveal the Dogs have won the free kick count in every game this season and hold a commanding lead over the team with the second most free kicks this season.
Luke Beveridge’s team has won 60 free kicks in all, a massive 15 more than next best Melbourne.
It’s the same when we look at high tackle free kicks specifically with the Dogs being awarded 45 in seven games this season, ahead of Sydney with 30.
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