Glenn’s 10: Champion Data stats reveal AFL’s worst shots at goals over past 12 months

THIS week Glenn’s 10 takes a look at the AFL’s worst kicks for goals over the past 12 months ... and the results may surprise you.

LET’S just say it wasn’t a good round for goal-shot shanks.

There was Robbie Warnock’s slew off the boot that went out of bounds when he was almost directly in front against the Tigers. Luke Ball sliced it out of bounds against the Swans when he would normally do better. Gary Rohan missed a sitter, Jeff Garlett’s dribbling miss drove Jason Dunstall to frustration and a host of other players proved that goalkicking is the one aspect of the game that hasn’t necessarily improved over time.

Glenn’s 10 has taken a look at Champion Data’s worst kicks for goals in terms of legitimate shots — goals, points and clear misses — over the past 12 months, for those with a 30 shot minimum.

UPDATED BAROMETER — HOW’S YOUR TEAM LOOKING?

These 10 players have the worst percentage in terms of shots at goals, but have the chance to redeem themselves this week.

SUPERCOACH TRADE GUIDE

1. BRANDON MATERA (Gold Coast) — 29 per cent

Talented yet largely unfulfilled player cursed by his conversion rate in recent seasons. Was relatively accurate in his first year but has been running at 20.32 since then. Has the worst goalkicking ratio for shots on goal over the past 12 months — at only 29 per cent.

Gold Coast’s Brandon Matera has booted just nine goals from 31 shots on goals over the past 12 months. Picture: Jerad Williams

2. DANYLE PEARCE (Fremantle) — 29.5%

It’s been a better start to 2014 in terms of accuracy for Pearce, but boy he needed it. His first year with the Dockers yielded 10.21 and the second worst conversion rate in the AFL, even allowing for his 3.1 start to this season.

3. DAVID ZAHARAKIS (Essendon) — 30.3%

The man who once kicked a late goal to steal an Anzac Day match had a frustrating year with his boot last year. His overall kicking — not just for goal — last year was nowhere near the level of his capabilities. He was poor in front of goal, with his worst efforts coming from outside 30m, where he kicked 5.16.

4. BRETT DELEDIO (Richmond) — 34.3%

A surprise inclusion in this group because he has often been seen as a reliable kick for goal, especially when on the run. But the Tiger midfielder struggled in front of goal last year, kicking 10.15, as well as missing other shots he could have nailed. Suspect he might be about to turn it around this year.

Brett Deledio is known for his ball use ... but close to goal he can struggle with his radar.

5. TOM MITCHELL (Sydney) — 34.3%

There has only ever been one slight knock on this young star, and it has been his kicking. Still, he gets enough of the ball. He ranked as a below average kick last year and poor in terms of his conversion rate. Has kicked 12.18 with five direct misses from his 35 shots at goal.

6. DEAN COX (West Coast) — 35.1%

Normally a good shot in front of goal, ‘Coxy’ didn’t have his best season with goal kicking accuracy last season, running at a mid-30s percentage rate. Perhaps it was that he didn’t get to spend as much time in attack as he had in previous seasons. His three behinds so far this year haven’t helped his ratio.

Dean Cox (right) does his best work through the middle of the ground.

7. JOSH CADDY (Geelong) — 35.3%

No one would ever question Josh Caddy’s endeavour, but even he would know his kicking needs a bit more attention. His 12.13 record in front of goal since the start of last season doesn’t appear too bad. But among those are nine other misses at goal. That’s why his ratio is in the mid-30s.

8. RORY SLOANE (Adelaide) — 36.4%

Sloane is unquestionably one of the Crows’ elite players, but Champion Data still rank him as a less than adequate kick for goal. He has kicked 12.15 from his 33 shots over the past 12 months, with six outright misses. He’s a wrecking ball, but the Crows would love it if he was a bit more polished in front of the sticks.

Rory Sloane is a junkyard dog around the packs. Perhaps he’s too exhausted to finish when he gets the ball in his hands?

9. DYLAN SHIEL (Greater Western Sydney) — 36.7%

Like Sloane, it’s fair to say Shiel gets a lot of his kicks under pressure and that might account for his inclusion in this list. He has kicked 11.11 in the past 12 months, which doesn’t sound too bad. But there were eight other outright misses. Should get better with more time and experience.

10. JOSH KENNEDY (Sydney) — 37.8%

Does Josh Kennedy ever win an easy ball? Not bloody often. That’s undoubtedly one of the reasons for his modest record when shooting for goal over the past 12 months. The Swans midfielder has bagged 14.19 — with four other misses — but he should be cut some slack for the level of pressure he is often under when he is steaming into goal.

Sydney's clearance king Josh Kennedy is more comfortable dishing it out than whacking it on the boot. Picture: Phil Hillyard