How does your AFL club’s captain rate?
IN THE eyes of the footy world, a good captain is a winning captain. But the numbers tell a different story. Rating for every AFL club’s captain.
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A ‘GOOD’ captain is a winning captain. It’s that simple.
Trent Cotchin bashing is almost a sport in itself when Richmond is riding a slump.
But Champion Data rankings points show Cotchin is performing better than captains of four top eight teams.
Cotchin is among seven captains rated “above average” after three rounds with strong numbers in disposals, contested possessions and clearances.
Robert Murphy (Western Bulldogs), Callan Ward (GWS) and Gary Ablett (Gold Coast) are rated elite, while three-time Hawthorn premiership captain Luke Hodge gets a “below average” rating having played only one game after breaking his forearm in the season-opener.
North Melbourne captain Andrew Swallow is rated below average after his underwhelming start to the season.
Swallow only battled in last Sunday’s hard-fought win over Melbourne, adding just three disposals (13 for the game) and one tackle (11) in the last quarter at Blundstone Arena.
In contract, his successor and Kangaroos vice-captain, Jack Ziebell collected five disposals and laid five tackles in a blistering last-quarter effort.
Ziebell laid an AFL game-record equalling 19 tackles despite a heavily strapped and sore shoulder.
Injured captains Tom Rockliff (Brisbane) and David Mundy (Fremantle) are also rated below average.
ADELAIDE
Taylor Walker
Games played: 3
Overall rating: Average
Walker rates above average for goals, but below average for contested marks and marks inside 50.
BRISBANE
Tom Rockliff
Games played: 2
Overall rating: Below Average
Rockliff, sidelined with a hamstring problem, rates elite for goals and score involvements, but below average for contested and uncontested possessions.
CARLTON
Marc Murphy
Games played: 3
Overall rating: Average
Murphy rates above average for uncontested possessions and metres gained, but below average for contested possessions.
COLLINGWOOD
Scott Pendlebury
Games played: 3
Overall rating: Above Average
Pendlebury rates above average for disposals, metres gained and goals, but below average for contested possessions since spending more time floating across half-back.
ESSENDON
Brendon Goddard
Games played: 3
Overall rating: Above Average
Goddard is on a hiding to nothing this season but he boasts above average kicking efficiency and score assists, but below average in contested possessions.
FREMANTLE
David Mundy
Games played: 2
Overall rating: Below Average
Mundy rates above average in contested possessions and clearances, below average in score assists and poor for goals. Not the only Docker to struggle in front of the big sticks. Rough start to his first season at the helm only made worse by a niggling calf complaint.
GEELONG
Joel Selwood
Games played: 3
Overall rating: Above Average
You’d want Selwood in the trenches — elite clearances and above average contested possessions — but not in front of goal. He’s had one shot for a behind, while boom recruit Patrick Dangerfield has kicked three goals and four behinds.
GOLD COAST
Gary Ablett
Games played: 3
Overall rating: Elite
Going about it the right way is Ablett trying to reclaim his tag as the best player in the competition. The future Hall of Famer is rated elite for disposals, metres gained, clearances and score involvements. But it’s not all beer and Skittles, Ablett’s kicking efficiency is rated below average.
GWS GIANTS
Callan Ward
Games played: 3
Overall rating: Elite
Ultra-consistent Ward boasts elite kicking efficiency, contested possessions, goals and score assists, but his tackling is below average.
Phil Davis
Games played: 3
Overall rating: Above Average
Elite for intercept possessions and rebound 50s but poor kicking efficiency largely due to the pressure he is under in the back half.
HAWTHORN
Luke Hodge
Games played: 1
Overall rating: Below Average
Small sample size given Hodge broke his arm in Round 1 but inspirational Hawk has plenty of room for improvement. Rated above average in score involvement and tackles, but below average in disposals and metres gained.
MELBOURNE
Nathan Jones
Games played: 3
Overall rating: Average
Above average clearances and score assists but the pressure he is under carrying Melbourne’s midfield has taken its toll on his kicking efficiency (below average).
NORTH MELBOURNE
Andrew Swallow
Games played: 3
Overall rating: Below Average
Swallow must be thanking his lucky stars North Melbourne is 3-0 because his impact on games has dropped off. His tackling is elite, but below average for disposals, kicking efficiency, uncontested possessions and score assists.
PORT ADELAIDE
Travis Boak
Games played: 3
Overall rating: Below Average
Boak, like the Power, has struggled over the past 12 months it shows with his output on the ground. Elite goals and score assists but it’s in the midfield where the skipper’s numbers have dropped — below average disposals and kicking efficiency.
RICHMOND
Trent Cotchin
Games played: 3
Overall rating: Above Average
Much-maligned for his leadership style but certainly setting the example on the field. Rated above for average disposals, contested possessions and clearances, but below average for goals.
ST KILDA
Nick Riewoldt
Games played: 3
Overall rating: Average
Roo rates elite for marks and above average for goals and disposals — compared to other key forwards in the competition. Roo’s tackling and score assists numbers are poor.
SYDNEY
Kieren Jack
Games played: 3
Overall rating: Above Average
Flies under the radar in Sydney’s superstar midfield but Jack boasts above average disposals, contested possessions, elite score assists and score involvements, but like Cotchin and Selwood goalkicking is not a priority.
WEST COAST
Shannon Hurn
Games played: 3
Overall rating: Above Average
Plays a role and does it well. Hurn is rated above average for intercept possessions and intercept marks, but average overall disposal numbers.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Robert Murphy
Games played: 3
Overall rating: Elite
The go-to man in defence, Murphy is rated elite for disposals, uncontested possessions and metres gained. One of only three captains rated elite overall despite below average intercept possessions.
Originally published as How does your AFL club’s captain rate?
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