The Numbers – Round 2

Numbers… it’s what DT is all about. Price changes; averages; break-evens… the list goes on. After another intense round of football, things are finally starting to get back to normal. Buddy is kicking goals; Gary is racking up the touches; and Dream Team has well and truly returned. After a 4 day weekend, and a Monday game; the article is a little late this week. However it should be back to 6am Tuesdays from next week with a regular fixture back.

Let’s have a looks at this week by the numbers…

0 – Brownlow votes that Jimmy Bartel is likely to receive for his efforts on the weekend v Hawks. In an influential, well rounded performance by the Cats’ stalwart, Bartel gathered 20 touches, 7 marks, laid 8 tackles and kicked 2.0. All but proving he is the best wet weather player going around, Bartel’s efforts were enough for Bulldog’s coach Brendan McCartney to use as an example of what he wants his players to play like; however not enough to get the attention of the umpires it seems – has he fallen out of favour?

2 – Changes made by Kevin Sheedy from Week 1. Adam Tomlinson was the only player to be omitted, with McDonald (suspension) the only other change. After their demolition at the hands of North Melbourne this week, we can expect more than 2 changes this week with any number of Hampton, Townsend, Hombsch, Hoskin-Elliott, Wilson and Tyson possible outs. Keep an eye out for Team Lists on Thursday Night to check.

2.6 – Amount of teams (%) who jumped off Brian Lake in R1 after a terrible effort first up. After bouncing back to a positive 93 this week, there will no doubt be a lot of regretful coaches out there on Sunday morning. It is therefore hilarious to note that several teams have also jumped on Lake since his game on Saturday. I wonder if anyone did the dirty and got him back in after making the mistake to trade him out last week…

6 – Number of Giants I predict will be nominated for the NAB Rising Star in 2012. After Gold Coast netted 4 nominations in 2011, GWS will be out to show their list has talent in many contests that will be extremely one-sided. My predictions (early as they may be (excluding R2 nominee Jeremy Cameron) are: Stephen Coniglio, Toby Greene, Dylan Shiel, Devon Smith and Adam Kennedy.

15 – Total marks by Richmond captain, Chris Newman on the weekend. In a game where Richmond backmen reigned supreme, Newman was in the thick of it as he tallied 25 touches including 18 by foot. Also benefitting from the amount of ball in the Tigers’ back half was Deledio (140), Rance (138) and Houli (121).

17.8 – The total % of coaches who’ve already jumped on the Adam Kennedy bandwagon since the start of season. Now owned by more than 35% of coaches, he has been the single biggest inclusion since lockout, Round 1.

21 – Average age of the GWS Senior list (21 years, 116 days to be exact). Compare this two R1 and R2 opponents Sydney (24 years, 195 days) and North Melbourne (23 years, 182 days); and there is a considerable gulf in experience between the newcomers and the rest of the competition (barring Gold Coast). It’s no wonder then that they will likely be flogged more than a few times until they get some experience into their young list. These figures show that GWS and GCS should be competitive in approximately 2-3 years.

52 – % game time Michael Barlow had v the Swans on the weekend. After scoring 52 points in R1 (from 33% game time), he scored 63 points this week and has come out saying he’s ready for a full game next week against the Lions. Scoring at a rate around of 1.30 points/minute, Freo will be looking forward to him returning to full fitness. If he continues to score at the rate he has, he will absolutely dominate against Brisbane this weekend.

55 – Hitouts from the big 211 v Sydney on Saturday. Showing fantastic touch in the absence of Swan’s # 1 ruck Shane Mumford, Aaron Sandilands also amassed 18d, 5m and a Goal to be the top performing ruckman of the week.

95 – Average points scored per team in Round 2. Following up from R1’s 100 point average, 2012 is shaping up to be a year of high scoring, attacking affairs. If we compare this with the first 5 games of 2011 – the average score from each round was 88, 96, 86, 93, 94. This suggests 2012 should produce more goals – which will lead to happier fans.

208 – Current winning % for last year’s top 4 team West Coast. After big wins against the Bulldogs and Melbourne, fans will be enjoying the high scores from the Eagles. With games to come against GWS, Hawthorn, Richmond and North, West Coast may find themselves undefeated and with an insurmountable F&A % come Round 5-6.

Send me your ‘Numbers’ for the week @McRathDT

The Benchmark

The top score in R2 came from Bomber’s fan, AceFoulLegby.What? Whilst her team name isn’t great, she struck the right mix this week to come up with a huge 2406. With a very mid-price backline including Hargrave, Dempsey and Harry Taylor, her 5-Gun midfield did the hard yards with Ablett, Stanton, Mitchell, Pendles and Watson all killing it. The traditional ruck combo of Sandi and Cox came through in addition to her no fills forward line, which only has recognised gun Riewoldt to rely on. One would suggest that hher forward line may eventually fall apart with Monfries, Hurley, Porplyzia and Betts unlikely to become season long premiums; however as long as his mids and rucks keep performing well, this team name should be near the top for a while to come.

Whore of the Week

The bald-headed ball magnet has done it again – this time in a shellacking from a resurgent St Kilda. Gary Ablett Jnr gets the much vaunted title this week following his 40 disposal, 2.1 Goal game on the weekend. With many backing him as their captain for the week, he did not disappoint as he was once again everywhere. There are few players in the game that tagger Clint Jones hasn’t stopped – unfortunately for him though, Gary is one of those. Now penned by many as their walk up captain from now on, he has shown early that 2012 will be a big year for the little master.

Coach’s Pet

This is the player who has attracted the largest attention (or close to) and subsequent selection in people’s teams around the grounds in any given week. Still well behind Giant Adam Kennedy in the overall % change stakes, James Magner has enticed a further 2.6% of coaches so far this week to jump on board. With 7.8% of coaches getting him in since first lockout, the Magnet is now in over 41% of teams across the competition.

Value Pick

Based on a simple Dollars/Points ratio, I give you a simple way to display value (admittedly biased towards rookies given their low starting cost).

Once again, I can’t go past rookie gun James Magner here. After backing up his 103 from R1, he scored a further 106 points in R2. This gives him a ridiculous weekly value of $809.43/pt. It has been said to death; and the talk will only become more regular, but James Magner in this year’s Michael Barlow. As was last year’s Ed Curnow, Magner is the must have mature aged rookie of 2012. Toby Greene also deserves a mention here after bettering his R1 score of 99 to record an excellent 107 points. With Shiel, Smith and company producing lower numbers in the first two rounds; coaches must now decide whether it’s worth an early trade to get in Greene/Magner in their place. My suggestion to this would be – get them in, or miss out!

Waste of Space

Mitch Golby has now become the bone of contention for many coaches after his terrible effort in Round Two against Carlton. Now seemingly consigned to a lock down role in the backline, Trollby only managed 10 touches and 3 marks in a lacklustre game that is sure to put him on the chopping block. Whilst many Lions underperformed in a game dominated by Blues’ possessions, we should expect more from someone who showed a heap of potential in the preseason. Given his price, he shouldn’t fluctuate too much in value; however if he doesn’t show us something in the next week or 2, he will find himself out of a lot of teams.

The Round Up

Highlights – Carlton sitting # 2 on the table after watching them smash the Lions at the Gabba; God, Lids and Gary pushing into the 140’s; Giles and Magner ton-ing it up; and Morris and Ellis sparing themselves the axe by redeeming themselves in a game where Richmond stuck it to the Pies.

Lowlights – R1 heroes falling from grace in R2 (Adcock, Rocky); negative roles screwing us over again (Broughton, Golby); and Buddy failing in a wet 2^nd half on Monday afternoon.

Team McRath – A dark, dark day in our history as several POD’s let me down to post a paltry 2003 and slip down the rankings dramatically. Broughton is definitely gone, whilst Golby isn’t far behind. I’ll need Rocky, Gibbs and Adcock to bounce back if I’m to get my season back on track. I’ll try to remain optimistic this early in the year – after all, a week is a long time in Dream Team.

Round 2 was generally higher than last week, however many coaches will feel let down after some big guns failed to fire. With a Friday game back on this week, we only have to wait a few days for footy action to be back on our TV screens. Good luck for the week ahead and be careful with your trades.

Feedback appreciated as always. Also – if you’re not already… follow me in the Twittersphere: @McRathDT