AFL 2021: Champion Data reveals the most improved players at every club
The rise of a forward has been a shining light for the Magpies and the numbers say Nick Hind could be recruit of the year. See the most-improved at every club.
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His team might be winless at the bottom of the ladder, but North Melbourne captain Jack Ziebell has been not just his club’s – but the AFL’s biggest improver this season.
According to Champion Data analysis, 30-year-old Ziebell has recorded the sharpest rise of any player in the competition based on his player ranking points.
And it’s been a win for the forwards this year with several featuring as their club’s biggest improvers, including Carlton’s Coleman Medal leader Harry McKay, Crows veteran Taylor Walker and Melbourne livewire Kysaiah Pickett.
So, who are your club’s most improved players?
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We have dissected the numbers with Champion Data to reveal the players from each team who have made the biggest improvements this season.
Based on Champion Data’s ranking points, here are the players who have made the biggest leap from season 2020 to 2021.
Champion Data’s qualification is a minimum of eight matches in 2020 and a minimum of four matches this year.
So, who are your club’s most improved players?
We have dissected the numbers with Champion Data to reveal the players from each team who have made the biggest improvements this year.
Based on Champion Data’s ranking points, here are the players who have made the biggest leap from season 2020 to 2021.
Champion Data’s qualification is a minimum of eight matches in 2020 and a minimum of four matches this year.
ADELAIDE
Player, 2020 ranking points ave., 2021 ranking points ave. Change (%)
Taylor Walker 55.8, 96.5, +75
Lachie Scholl 64.2, 85.2, +33
Jake Kelly 57.3, 75, +31
There was plenty of speculation about the future of former captain and key forward Taylor Walker at the end of last season after a tough 2020 when he managed just 15 goals from 14 games.
But the 31-year-old showed there was still plenty of life in the old Crow with one of the league’s most-talked about early-season revivals.
Walker’s first month, in particular, was huge with hauls of five, six, six and three in the opening four rounds.
While his form has dropped off since then – he was goalless in the Showdown last week against Port Adelaide – Walker’s season average of 3.4 goals is elite in the AFL and well above his career average of 2.2
BRISBANE
Lincoln McCarthy 68.7, 82.4, +20
Daniel Rich 92.4, 107.6, +16
Jarryd Lyons 110.6, 119.8, +8
In his third season at Brisbane Lions after moving from Geelong, Lions forward Lincoln McCarthy has been in strong form for the Lions but goes under the radar outside the club, according to his vice-captain Harris Andrews.
McCarthy is averaging 14 disposals, 4.4 tackles and has kicked eight goals for the season, contributing to a 20 per cent rise in his rankings points from last year.
Veteran defender Daniel Rich also made a jump in his 13th season with the Lions, in which he is averaging 27 disposals and has 662.4 metres gained.
CARLTON
Harry McKay 59.2, 90.8, +53
Jacob Weitering 74.9, 97.8, +31
Eddie Betts 57.8, 70.9, +23
Leading the Coleman Medal race after Round 8, Blues forward Harry McKay is enjoying a career-best season bolstering the out-of-contract goalkicker’s value.
A bright light for the 3-5 Blues, McKay has kicked 30 goals from his eight games this season, including hauls of seven and six against Fremantle (Round 3) and the Brisbane Lions (Round 6).
Coming off his best-and-fairest win in 2020, defender Jacob Weitering has also continued his rankings rise and has an elite ranking for disposals, kicks and spoils.
After question marks over whether he remained in the Blues’ best 22 heading into the season, veteran forward Eddie Betts has also enjoyed a rankings rise, bolstered by a five-goal haul last week against the Western Bulldogs.
COLLINGWOOD
Darcy Cameron 52.4, 88.4, +69
Chris Mayne 68.6, 81.4, +19
Jordan Roughead 56.7, 64.2, +13
After managing 10 games following his club debut in Round 2 last year, Darcy Cameron has emerged as the Magpies top rankings improver for the 2-6 Magpies, according to Champion Data’s analysis.
Coming into the team in Round 5, Cameron has kicked seven goals from his four games and has an elite forward ranking for kicks and above average for disposals and marks.
Veteran Chris Mayne has also made a jump in his five matches after his 14 senior appearances in 2020.
ESSENDON
Nick Hind 61.7, 89.3, +45
Jake Stringer 52.6, 72.6, +38
Jordan Ridley 86.7, 103.2, +19
In his first year at the Bombers after a trade from St Kilda at the end of last year, Nick Hind’s arrival has already proved fruitful, according to Champion Data’s analysis.
Filling a void for the Bombers following the departure of Adam Saad to Carlton, Hind has played in every game this season, averaging 23.3 disposals and also ranking above average for kicks, handballs, tackles and metres gained.
Forward Jake Stringer was the next biggest improver for the Bombers with his rankings points up by 20 on last year after a 12-goal start to the season, which was soured by a hamstring injury last week.
FREMANTLE
Michael Frederick 32.8, 49.3, +50
Sean Darcy 78.5, 103.3, +32
David Mundy 92.9, 115.6, +24
Michael Frederick went on to play every game in his first season at the Dockers after making his debut in Round 7 against West Coast.
The exciting youngster is already taking strides forward in his second year, with five goals from his seven games to boost his Champion Data player ranking by 50 per cent, before being struck down by an ankle injury last week against Brisbane last round.
Ruckman Sean Darcy had the next highest rankings rise at the Dockers, averaging 24.7 hit-outs and 15.3 disposals a game.
In his 18th season, veteran David Mundy continues to defy father time and also enjoyed a rankings jump on the back of above average disposals, tackles and clearances.
GEELONG
Tom Atkins 56.2, 85.4, +52
Bradley Close 53.8, 70, +30
Jack Henry 64.1, 82.3, +28
Lost his place in the Cats’ line-up after last year’s qualifying final loss to Port Adelaide ahead of the team’s push into the Grand Final, but defender Tom Atkins hasn’t missed a game this season for the Cats.
The 25-year-old is averaging almost 19 disposals and more than four tackles a game, which ranks him among the competition elite.
Fellow rookie Brad Close and young defender Jack Henry have also made ranking jumps for the Cats.
GOLD COAST SUNS
Wil Powell 66.7, 84.2, +26
Darcy MacPherson 57.5, 72.1, +25
Jack Bowes 84, 104, +24
Coming off his strongest season for the Suns when he played 15 games, young defender Wil Powell hasn’t missed a game yet this season.
Averaging 17.3 disposals a game and 6.1 marks – an above average ranking – the 21-year-old’s Champion Data ranking points have climbed by 26 per cent this season.
Darcy Macpherson and defender Jack Bowes, who has an elite ranking for disposals (26.5) and marks (seven) have also seen their Champion Data player rankings climb this season.
GWS GIANTS
Lachie Ash 60.5, 89.5, +48
Shane Mumford 78.3, 110.9, +42
Tim Taranto 84.8, 103.5, +22
After playing 12 games in his debut season at the Giants, young defender Lachie Ash has enjoyed a strong start to his second year in the AFL, recently rewarded with a two-year contract extension. Ranking among the elite in the competition for marks with an average of seven a game, Ash had 35 disposals and 15 marks in the Giants Round 6 loss to the Western Bulldogs. Ruckman Shane Mumford and 2019 best and fairest Tim Taranto were the other Giants to make the biggest ranking leaps, according to Champion Data.
HAWTHORN
Mitch Lewis 37.2, 68.7, +85
Blake Hardwick 70, 96.3, +38
Sam Frost 56.9, 68, +20
After a spluttering season last year when he managed just eight games and was in and out of the team, young hawks forward Mitch Lewis has been the club’s sharpest improver this year based on Champion Data’s rankings.
Coming into the team for his first game of the year in Round 3, Lewis has scored in all of his five games for a tally of eight goals for the second-last Hawks.
After missing just the one game last year, defender Blake Hardwick has also enjoyed a strong rise in his rankings and is above average in the league for disposals, kicks and metres gained.
MELBOURNE
Kysaiah Pickett 47.7, 83.6, +75
Tom McDonald 60.1, 90.7, +51
Christian Salem 87.7, 105.5, +20
After playing 14 out of a possible 17 games in his debut season last year, Melbourne livewire Kysaiah Pickett has emerged as one of the most exciting players in the league this season for the unbeaten Demons.
The small forward has dazzled this year with his 14 goals from eight games, drawing comparisons with Hawks’ premiership star Cyril Rioli and quickly making him a fan favourite.
Trade bait at the end of last season, fellow Melbourne forward Tom McDonald has also been one of the big stories in the Demons’ charge this season, reviving his career as a key forward.
After early season injuries to recruit Ben Brown and young forward Sam Weideman, McDonald seized his opportunity in the Demons’ forward line and has starred with 13 goals from his eight games with an elite ranking for disposals (17.4) and kicks (11.3).
NORTH MELBOURNE
Jack Ziebell 47.3,122.3, +159
Tom McDonald 61.7, 80.3, +30
Aaron Hall 72.2, 79.3, +10
After an injury-plagued 2020 when he was restricted to eight games due to knee and hamstring issues, Kangaroos skipper Jack Ziebell has experienced the sharpest rise of any AFL player in his ranking points, according to Champion Data.
Following a shift to a depleted Roos’ defence under new coach David Noble, Ziebell is averaging 29.1 disposals a game.
He also holds an elite ranking for kicks (23.5), marks, (8.4) and for metres gained – 584.2. Former Magpies forward Jaidyn Stephenson has also enjoyed a rankings rise following his trade to the Roos where he has also been making an impact in the midfield.
Stephenson has kicked 10 goals this season, before he suffered a wrist injury last week which required surgery.
PORT ADELAIDE
Aliir Aliir 60,93.8, +56
Ryan Burton 55.7, 80.5, +45
Tom Clurey 61.3, 78, +27
The Power’s big off-season recruit from Sydney, Aliir Aliir has made an instant impact at his new club.
The key defender has played every game for the Power this season and ranks above average in the league for disposals, kicks and intercept marks.
Aliir had the highest player ranking rise at Port Adelaide ahead of fellow defender Ryan Burton, who was restricted to just eight games last season due to knee and quad injuries but is averaging 19.4 disposals from his eight games this season.
RICHMOND
Bachar Houli 84.9,95.5, +12
Nathan Broad 64.2, 70.4, +10
Shai Bolton 86.2, 93.4, +8
After missing the opening three games this season as he recovered from the calf injury he suffered in last year’s Grand Final, Bachar Houli tops the Tigers rankings points climbers this season.
The three-time premiership star missed seven games last year as he elected to remain in Melbourne with his family during the AFL’s move to an interstate hub but is this year averaging 23.4 disposals a match and ranked among the elite for handballs and tackles.
Defender Nathan Broad and a sizzling Shai Bolton – before his ill-fated nightclub visit – have also recorded ranking rises for the Tigers.
ST KILDA
Dougal Howard 69.4 89.4 +29
Bradley Hill 62.7, 70.3, +12
Hunter Clark 81.5, 91, +12
In his second season at the Saints after a trade from Port Adelaide, Howard has been a permanent fixture of the Saints’ backline since his arrival.
The 25-year-old defender is averaging 16.9 disposals a game, 3.4 intercept marks and 9.9 spoils, which is an elite ranking in the competition.
He was the only Saint with a significant ranking points jumps on last year with midfielder Bradley Hill and defender Hunter Clark recording smaller rises.
SYDNEY
Sam Reid 61.6, 90.7, +47
Tom McCartin 58, 70, +21
James Rowbottom 75.5, 88.8, +18
After an injury-hit 2020 campaign, in which he kicked only five goals, Reid has already matched that tally in his six appearances this season.
In his 11th AFL season, 29-year-old Reid had recorded a 47 per cent rankings points rise on last year before he was hit with a calf injury in Round 6 against the Gold Coast.
Defender Tom McCartin, who has played every game this season after 14 appearances last year, and midfielder James Rowbottom were the other Swans to record the biggest jumps.
WEST COAST
Jack Redden 69.6, 92,1, +32
Jarrod Brander 55, 71.5, +30
Jack Darling 82.2, 89.8, +9
Injuries impacted Eagles midfielder Jack Redden in the second half of last year, in which he was restricted to 13 games.
But the 30-year-old has played every game this year, averaging 26.6 disposals and 5.4 marks a game, contributing to a 32 per cent jump on his Champion Data ranking points from last year.
After eight senior games last season, 22-year-old Jarrod Brander has matched that already this season to record the second-highest rankings rise at West Coast.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Bailey Dale 55.7, 91.3, +64
Josh Bruce 51.2, 82.4, +61
Alex Keath 60.1, 92.4, +54
In a 7-1 start to the season, there have been plenty of standouts for the Western Bulldogs, but Champion Data analysis has defender Bailey Dale as making the biggest rankings jump this year.
After playing the nine senior games last year, Dale has played every game this season following a switch to defence.
He is averaging 22.5 disposals a game and 444.9 metres gained.
Forward Josh Bruce, with 25 goals for the season, and defender Alex Keath have also recorded a sharp climb in their player ranking points this year.
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