Pure Footy: Stats gurus David King and Daniel Hoyne on the big trends ahead of round 6

Geelong sit behind only the Giants and Hawks in one important area of the game. And the stats gurus say they can’t make finals if the trend continues. Watch the latest Pure Footy.

Stats gurus David King and Daniel Hoyne have declared reigning premiers Geelong won’t play finals if its dire defence continues, with Hoyne proclaiming they will be “gone”.

The Cats have bounced back with two big wins in a row over rebuilding sides Hawthorn and West Coast, but it is serious danger of missing the eight if coach Chris Scott can’t address their transition defence.

Pure Footy analysis revealed the Cats are the easiest team to score against from turnovers in their forward half, ranking 16th in the competition for conceded scores from their own errors – behind only Greater Western Sydney and Hawthorn.

The Cats were ranked seventh in the competition in this area after five rounds in 2022.

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The Cats must tidy up their defence. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

The club currently sit in 10th spot on the ladder and Hoyne said they will be making up the numbers on current form.

“Only Hawthorn and GWS have been easier to score against on turnover than what Geelong has this year and again the concern is that it is happening all over the ground – this isn’t just one area of the game,” Hoyne said on the latest episode of Pure Footy.

“When Geelong turn the ball over in their forward half, there is no easier team to score against.”

King responded: “If that stays at 16th…”

“They’re gone,” Hoyne interrupted.

Both said they would not be a finals threat if their transition defence remained at this level.

“If they stay at 16th, they probably miss the eight,” King said.

“They’re not going to be a threat across the year if this stays the same,” Hoyne added.

In the latest episode the guys also discuss the hotly-anticipated Carlton v St Kilda blockbuster and how Saints coach Ross Lyon is getting the most out his injury-hit list.