RORY Laird's incredible 20-tackle performance at the weekend set a new benchmark for AFL players to chase. He is the fire starter for the Bulldogs and arguably the team's most valuable player, doing his best work at stoppages by feeding the ball out to some of his more highly-praised teammates. A touch more consistency this season and fewer frees against (he gave away the fourth-most of any player last year) and he's almost certainly climbing into the top five. AFL 2023: What are the roots of the Tigers' struggles in 2023? However, the mark differential explains only 13 percent of the variation in margins, and the contested mark differential appears no more important than the uncontested mark differential, with each explaining just 10 percent of the variation in margins. Collingwood trailed all game except for the final 30 seconds after Sidebottom's behind. If this was a measure of footy IQ and on-field intelligence, Greene would be top of the list. In fact, the Lions score a goal from 26% of McCluggage's forward 50 entries, the highest rate of any of the top 50 players for inside 50s over the last two seasons. to dominate on the lead as well as at ground level, making him a nightmare one-on-one match-up for any defender, especially when you consider only four players took more contested marks than him last year. Hard-nosed Kangaroo Ben Cunnington still has the mark for contested possessions (32), while Joel Bowden's mark of 41 uncontested possessions in 2009 will take some beating. The true reason, of course, is that it is better to have possession of the ball than it is to be tackling an opponent who has the ball. He just doesn't miss targets, or make mistakes, for that matter. Instead, I've used the last two seasons as a gauge of where a particular player is at in their career. You've got to hand it to Cripps. Actual Hit Rate: How often a player hits the intended target (including50/50 contests) when attempting a kick. Michael Willson/Getty Images, Club: Western BulldogsPosition: Mid-forward. Handballs, however, are not so important. Dylan Burns/Getty Images. Even still, he's flirting with the top 10. I really don't think Hawkins gets enough credit for the level of quality he's produced over the past decade and change. The Other 400 Club - The Mongrel Punt The method used in Footballistics reveals how often the winner of a certain metric also won the game, but this doesnt take into account the margin by which the metric was won or the margin by which the game was won. Cripps never had trouble winning the ball at the contest -- consistently ranking as a top five player in clearances and contested possessions -- but last year he became a much more complete footballer. Even at age 36, you can bet your last dollar that his name will feature prominently when asking defenders who keeps them up at night. Great goalkicking midfielders and/or productive high half-forwards are like gold dust and the Lions have one of the best in the business with Bailey. He defended the most leads in the competition (80) yet conceded a mark just 56% of the time, the third lowest rate of anyone. Australia Zone is committed to covering womens sport, sports analysis and gender equality. In that stretch, he's led the league in disposals and ranks top five in clearances. A Above Average: Top 11% to 35% of the statistical category. It's all the proof anyone needs that he's still undoubtedly one of the best players in the AFL.
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most contested possessions afl all time