Fremantle's domination in the ruck last night (53-18 hit-outs) resulted in them more than doubling our clearance count (46-22). We only got within 1 because we were better than them at the scramble and were excellent in defence. Had we matched them in the clearances we would likely have won.
I didn't watch Collingwood yesterday, but when they beat us earlier in the year Grundy's dominance over Sinclair was a major reason for their win over us in a close game. As the game wore on Grundy continually beat Sinclair to the ball, particularly at throw-ins and just tapped it wherever he wanted. Grundy won hit-outs over Sinclair 64-20 and Collingwood won clearances 49-38.
It was the same against Melbourne (lost hit-outs 73-13 and clearances 44-37), Brisbane (lost hit-outs 64-37 and clearances 53-42), Geelong (lost hit-outs 42-34 and clearances 44-31) and Carlton (lost hit-outs 55-20 and clearances 45-32).
While there are a few exceptions (beaten by Richmond and Bulldogs despite winning hit-outs; beat North and Essendon despite losing hit-outs), generally, where the hit-outs counts have been closer or we have been on top, we have had a better chance of winning the clearances and the game.
We are third last in hit-outs. Among
39 people classified as ruckmen who have recorded stats this year, Sinclair is:
- 23rd in average hit-outs
- 30th in hit-outs to advantage per game
- 34th in hit-out win percentage and
- 37th in hit-outs to advantage percentage.
I can't get a team stat, but based on those I would reckon we are last in the league in hit-outs to advantage percentage differential, which would mean that our midfielders are having to get the ball off the opposition from ruck contests more than any other in the competition, which has got to have an impact on performance.
Unsurprisingly, Naismith's stats are a lot better. If you open it up to career stats for people classed as ruckmen, Naismith is:
- 14th in average hit-outs
- 11th in hit-outs to advantage per game
- 15th in hit-out win percentage
- 11th in hit-outs to advantage percentage.
It is worth noting finally, Preuss' strong stats at ruck contests this year. He has:
- the best hit-out win percentage of any ruckman who attends more than 3% of ruck contests a game
- the third best hit-outs to advantage percentage of any ruckman who attends more than 20% of ruck contests a game.
He is playing as a second ruck, so many of those contests are probably against other second rucks, but they are still impressive. He's obviously not as good around the ground as Grundy, but he would be better than what we have right now in the ruck although I would rather Naismith if he can stay fit.
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