Pure Footy: David King and Daniel Hoyne look at the latest trends in the AFL after round 19

Mitch McGovern is back after another long injury layoff and could be the cherry on top of Carlton’s hugely improved defence. See the stats in a new episode of Pure Footy.

Don’t believe everything you read in the win-loss column.

Results inflated Carlton’s position early in the season, according to Champion Data analyst Daniel Hoyne – and they are underselling how well the Blues are travelling now.

Hoyne put the spotlight on Carlton’s defensive numbers in the latest episode of Pure Footy, the AFL analysis show exclusive to heraldsun.com.au.

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Carlton burst out of the blocks with four wins from its first six matches despite ranking 15th for its “without the footy” profile – a Champion Data metric that includes key defensive stats.

The Blues improved marginally over the next six rounds and kept winning, but the biggest jump has come since round 12.

In the past six weeks the Blues are the best team in the competition at restriction opposition scores from inside-50s – a jump from 16th in the first six rounds – and rank third overall without the footy.

“We weren’t really buying what they were doing despite being four and two in the first six rounds, purely because what they were doing without the footy,” Hoyne said.

“Over the last six weeks they are three (wins) and three (losses), but in terms of what they are doing defensively, this is far, far more sustainable.

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Mitch McGovern returned in round 19 after a long injury lay-off. Picture: Michael Klein

“Yes, they’ve only won three of their last six, but their game is in far better shape because that (defensive profile) is going to give them a far better chance to have success come finals time, as opposed to what they were doing when they were putting wins on the board early in the season.”

North Melbourne champion David King said key defender Lewis Young was one of the most improved players in the competition – losing just one of his eight one-on-one contests in the past month – and maligned swingman Mitch McGovern could play a key role in September.

McGovern played his first game since round 2 against the Giants after a problematic hamstring injury, and had five intercepts playing across half-back.

“He’s got speed, he’s got size. He’s the player they’ve been waiting for,” King said.

“I know he’s not a popular player, he gets more feedback than any other player, but this guy changes their whole backline mix.

“This is the one piece of the jigsaw they’ve been waiting to put into place.”

Also on this week’s episode, King and Hoyne reveal the tactic opposition teams are using against Melbourne, Ben McKay’s record-breaking month and name the most underrated player in the AFL.