Some Encouragement

[Master Q]

AT THE end of 2009 Fremantle’s midfield had a giant problem. Ruckman Aaron Sandilands was the game’s dominant big man - named as the sole ruckman in the All-Australian side - yet his ground level players were floundering. 

For all his dominance in the centre square and at stoppages around the ground, Fremantle was a bottom-four side in scores from stoppages and a bottom-four side overall at the end of the season.

However, as Sandilands approaches his 150th game, against Richmond at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night, the improvement in Fremantle’s midfield has been stark.     

Based on Sandilands’ performances this year, and the improvement he has driven in the players around him, the game’s tallest player may have made his biggest leap in effectiveness yet.

“Hit-outs to advantage is the stat,” midfield coach Barry Mitchell told afl.com.au this week. “Sometimes you get your hand on the ball and it doesn’t mean much.

“To put it to your team’s advantage and for that player to get some advantage over his opponent is a major part of winning clearances and scoring from clearances.”

Sandilands has lifted his hit-out numbers from an average of 33 in 2009 to 36.5 this season, with his improvement in the all-important hit-outs to advantage stat telling.

The 27-year-old has lifted that key indicator from 7.4 per game in 2009 to 10.1 this season, with midfielder David Mundy and rookie sensation Michael Barlow benefiting.

Mundy is averaging 4.1 clearances a game, up from an average of 1.8 in 2009, while Barlow averaged 3.7 clearances and 27.8 possessions before a broken leg ended his stunning season.   

“It’s his ability to direct the ball to them,” Mitchell said. “The players love playing with him because he’s very good at doing that.

"A lot of teams have to put tactics in just against him, a lot of third-man up, second jumpers, because of his ability to direct the ball.

AFL.com.au

[ossie85]

Sandilands should win the AFL MVP this year IMO.

[CFC 1979]

ra ra

go Freo :P