Tom Liberatore failed to register a clearance for first time in career, Jack Billings giving away free kicks
TOM Liberatore failed to win a clearance in a game for the first time in his career on Saturday night and what’s up with Jack Billings? QUIRKY ROUND 5 STATS
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WHEN Tom Liberatore won the Western Bulldogs best and fairest in 2014 it was on the back of being the game’s most dominant clearance player.
He was ranked No.1 in the league after winning 154 clearances from 22 games, an average of seven per game.
But when he suffered a serious knee injury last year, the Bulldogs needed to find a replacement for its clearance king and new coach Luke Beveridge found several — Libba’s childhood best mate and teammate Mitch Wallis, young guns Marcus Bomtempelli and Jack Macrae and Luke Dahlhaus.
Tom Liberatore failed to generate a clearance in a game for the first time in his career this round. #SuperCoach
— Fantasy Freako (@FantasyFreako) April 25, 2016
Now with Liberatore back, fully fit and working to get back to his best the Bulldogs don’t need their stair onballer to carry the midfield load.
In fact, on Saturday night against Brisbane Liberatore didn’t win one clearance — the first time that has happened in his career.
But the Bulldogs still dominated the Lions in that area, winning the clearances 44-25.
Liberatore has actually only registered 12 clearances so far this season.
What’s up with Jack Billings? The young Saint is into his third season and for the first time on the weekend gave away two free kicks in a game.
In fact it was only two weeks ago that the young star gave away his first ever free kick in the AFL, when he was pinged for holding the ball in the win over Collingwood.
Since his debut in Round 1 2014, Billings had actually earned himself 28 free kicks — 17 in 2014 and 11 in 2015 — before giving one away.
His record now is 31 frees for to three against (two holding the ball, one high tackle).
Intervention anyone?
Fremantle used to be the most stingy defensive team in the competition but all of a sudden they’re leaking like a sieve. And the worst part about it is opposition teams are forcing them into the turnovers the Dockers used to pride themselves on.
Against Carlton on Sunday, Ross Lyon’s team conceded 10 goals from defensive half turnovers and so far this season have gifted opposition teams 45 points from turnovers in their back half.
They are ranked 18th in this area. Stunning.
QUIRKY STATS FROM ROUND 5
— PAUL Puopolo recorded a career-high 21 disposals in the forward half of the ground against Adelaide. He also won a career-high 15 contested possessions
— TED Richards kicked his first goal in a game since Round 17, 2010
— JARRAD Waite has been involved in 33.8% of North’s scores this season — ranked fourth in the competition
— GEELONG won the contested possession count by 39 against the Power — its second-biggest differential since 2011
— PORT Adelaide recorded a kicking efficiency of 57% against the Cats — the eight-worst percentage this season. The Power have three of the eight worst games for kicking efficiency in 2016
— FREMANTLE conceded seven of Carlton’s 10 goals from defensive half turnovers. They have given up 45 points per game from defensive half turnovers — ranked 18th
— TOM Liberatore played his first ever game without a clearance
— THE Bulldogs have launched 25 points per game from forward 50 chains — the most of any side. They have generated eight points per game from defensive 50 chains — the second-fewest of any side
— TOBY Greene has recorded career-high score involvements over the last two weeks — 13 score involvements against the Power and 15 score involvements against the Saints
— JACK Viney recorded a career-high 37 disposals and 23 contested possessions against the Tigers
— COLLINGWOOD kicked 90 points in the opening half against Essendon — its most in an opening half under Nathan Buckley
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