AVERAGE FOR
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Probably the biggest surprise in the scoring for is that Kangaroo Flat – which is two games out of the top five – ranks third.
The Roos have kicked 1439 points in their 14 games, slightly more than Strathfieldsaye (1431) and South Bendigo (1429), and well ahead of Sandhurst (1306), who are all above Kangaroo Flat on the ladder.
Top-of-the-ladder Gisborne prides itself on defence, but the Bulldogs are clearly the most potent side up forward, averaging 124 points per game.
Only three times have the Bulldogs been held to a score of less than 100 – against Strathfieldsaye in round three (67), Kangaroo Flat in round six (80) and Maryborough last week (89).
AVERAGE AGAINST
It’s often said that the hallmark of any premiership contender is a solid defence.
While Gisborne is the most attacking side in the BFL, the Bulldogs are also proving to be the league’s best defensive outfit.
The Bulldogs are conceding an average of just 64 points per game, with only Strathfieldsaye (136) in its round three win having kicked a score of more than 90 against Gisborne.
South Bendigo ranks No.2 for defence, conceding an average of 66 points per game.
That low figure has been helped by the fact that during their four-game winning streak from rounds five to eight against Kyneton, Maryborough, Strathfieldsaye and Castlemaine, the Bloods had just 128 points kicked against them.
While Kyneton has shown improvement this season, the Tigers’ average against of 125 per game would still be much too high for co-coaches Derrick Filo and Nathan Thompson’s liking.
PLAYERS USED
The average across the 10 teams is 38 players used for the first 14 rounds, which shows clubs need plenty of depth on their lists to cover inevitable injuries.
Gisborne has had the most luck with injury so far, having had to use just 32 players.
In comparison, 44 players have played at least one senior game for Kyneton.
PLAYED EVERY GAME
Fairly similar across the competition, with the main exceptions being Strathfieldsaye (12) and Gisborne (11), while at the other end of the scale, Castlemaine has had just two players play every game.
QUARTERS WON
This stat gives further indication of why Gisborne is sitting a game clear at the top of the ladder.
The Bulldogs have outscored their opposition in 47 of the 56 quarters they have played, showing rarely has Gisborne taken its foot off the pedal and lapsed in games this season – with the obvious exceptions being their away losses to Strathfieldsaye and Kangaroo Flat.
To get an understanding of just how well and consistent the Bulldogs have played this season to win 47 of their 56 quarters, at the same time of its undefeated season last year, Golden Square had won 45 of 56 quarters.
Meanwhile, Kyneton has won 16 of its 56 quarters.
While the Tigers rank ninth for quarters won, their 16 is a hell of a lot better than last year when they won just two for the entire season.
CONVERSION
Not much between Golden Square (56.8%) and Gisborne (56.7%) at the top of the conversion table.
A key factor in Golden Square leading the conversion table is the significant improvement in accuracy from star full-forward Grant Weeks, who has kicked 109 of the Bulldogs’ 231 goals without too many misses.
Interesting to note the almost identical scores of South Bendigo (209.175), Strathfieldsaye (209.177) and Kangaroo Flat (210.179).
PLAYED EVERY GAME
Castlemaine – Harmit Singh, Rhys Jenkins.
Eaglehawk – Matt Gretgrix, Brady Green, Brad Stringer, Brodie Collins, Callum Harrington.
Gisborne – Darren Farrugia, Matthew Knox, Lachlan Crosbie, Casey Summerfield, Jarrad Lynch, Daniel Weaver, Hamish Govan, Scott Walsh, Tom Waters, Tim Walsh, Jarrod Arnold.
Golden Square – Grant Weeks, Adam Baird, Aiden Pratt, Clayton Anderson, Matthew Compston, Dale Lowry.
Kangaroo Flat – Tyrone Downie, Tyson Mihocek, Simon Davies, Hamish Dahl, Aaron Walklate, Riley Hird, Ben Walklate.
Kyneton – Luke Beattie, Ethan Foreman, Thomas Bourke, Kris Davis, David Romer, Jake Boyer.
Maryborough – Matthew Johnston, Dylan Clarkson, Tyson MacIlwain, Joel Malone, Kyle Lierich, Lachlan Woodward, William Short.
Sandhurst – Lee Coghlan, Cory Lobb, Tom Hartney, Mal Borchard, Patrick Jennings, Sam McGee.
South Bendigo – Brook Martyn, Rory Alexander, Daniel Anderson, Brady Childs, Jared Keely, Daniel Nalder.
Strathfieldsaye – Lachlan Sharp, Tom Bartholemew, Kris Lea, Jake Hall, Leighton Dullard, Jacob Heavyside, Matthew Ladson, Nick Smith, Caillum Brady, Lachlan Bonney, Leigh Prior, Kellan Smith.