Host
Now let's get into the VU Data lab Segment. This is where we crunch the numbers and have a look at just some of the key stats that are gonna make a difference and have made a difference in the final so far.
Thanks to our pre match final show partner, Victoria University, the VU Data Lab, the key stats from the players and the team, Sam McIntosh, Victoria University, and Western Bulldog list and recruitment analysts conducts analysis and the importance of the AFL player rating system.
This week, Tom, we're going to have looked look back at some of the data, backing up how the dogs have won their way through a prelim.
We're going to start with second half pressure rating. So just have a look at the two games there in red between Essendon against and Brisbane over the last two weeks, the two highest pressure ratings that the dogs have been able to put out this season, and they've both come in finals and they contrast really starkly with that three week lead up into the finals, Tom, where it was probably at its lowest consistently over that time, but what a resurgence in that area and that's what the wins have been built off the back off.
Tom Boyd
Yeah, I think this is indicative of two things, right on first and foremost, this is, this is finals football. This is what happens when teams have absolutely everything on the line and they need to perform to win the game.
And the premiership quarter, the third quarter is always an enormous part of that.
And clearly with close game last week, and you know, a game that was pretty wet the week before it's obviously going to drive the pressure ratings up, but it's also indicative of the foundation that the Western Bulldogs have been built on in Luke Beveridge’s time, which is that they historically have never played teams that are really big because they want this pressure rating to be through the roof.
They want teams to be forced to execute under pressure, to challenge their ability to move the ball.
And of course their ability to win the ball. And I think this is why it's been successful for the last couple of weeks, but obviously over the last four or five years.
Host
Now, Bailey Smith’s been a key factor in the wins over the last couple of weeks, especially against the Lions.
A key reason why the dogs have won both of their finals. The last two games have been two of his best three games of the year. The semifinal was his best game of the year, 27 disposals and three goals.
The first time he's kicked three goals in a game Melbourne round 19 was number two. The elimination final against Essendon was number three, but when you break it down into quarters, there's no surprise that the last quarter in that win over the Lions was his best quarter for the year.
He kicked two goals. He set up Josh Jackie's goal and it was his attack at the footy that it allowed Laitham Vandermeer to get a toe poke in to get the winning point. I mean, he is just been phenomenal.
He's his game has gone to a whole new level.
Tom Boyd
YeahI think as notable as Bailey's actual image is with that extraordinary mullet, he's not a guy that catches my eye immediately at the start of a lot of games.
But as the game wears on, it's like he gets quicker, He gets sharper, players seem to be labouring under fatigue and he seems to be just getting better and better.
And I mean last week was a wonderful example of him coming up in the biggest moment, his ability to not only have the composure to finish on his left foot, but then even to come up with one of the most magnificent celebrations that we've seen in a long time it's bewildering considering how young is.
Host
And a lot of people saying that he was doing the ice in the veins, which he said as well, but I'm not sure if he's not being paid to promote vaccinations as well. It was very funny.
Some of the memes that came out afterwards, but that, that finished opposite foot too. I mean,
I'm a big fan of that. It's sometimes a lost art in our game, but that was as good a finish in the circumstances. We'll see. So he's a big game player, a pressure player.
So two is your premiership teammate and Jack Macrae.
So Jack Macrae objectively was the best player on the field against Brisbane. So he had just under 40 disposals.
He had over 800 meters. He had 11 clearances, I think it was 11 inside fifties, nine score involvement.
He averaged 20 meters per possession, he normally averages just 13.
So he was very, very good. This is him in comparison to the elite ball winners and how they rate in the competition. So the green line there, Tom is the elite ball winners in the competition and their average ratings.
Those two red dots are how far and away he has surpassed those numbers and exceeded what is the elite average for the ball winners inside of the top 10 scoring midfielders.
Tom Boyd
Yeah. And I mean, what stands out to me is how many times he's been in that top 10, right?
Like that green line really is indicative of how brilliant a player Jack Macrae is.
And I think for many people he's flown under the radar for a long time. And there's good reason for that with Bontempelli obviously being in the side, but Jackie's one of the most consistently great players that I've ever seen. I mean,
I played with him since we were 15 or 16 years old and I'm yet to really see him play a bad game. So for him to really stand up in big moments like this and like he has over the last couple of weeks, doesn't surprise me.
But again, particularly with Marcus being a little bit under done and being a little sore, he'll probably get a little bit more attention and a little bit more onus will be on him to drive the standards of the midfield tonight, which I'm sure he'll be more than capable of.
Host
We see that set shot finished. got the Dogs back within four points. We know in the 2016 prelim, he kicked the go-ahead goal.
He's a top three centre clearance player in the competition. And what needs to happen though in this game.
And Tom is that the dogs really do need to make sure they keep capitalising on those cenrtre clearances.
So getting first hands on the bullet stoppage was pivotal last week. It will be again tonight, it's something that Port Adelaide pride themselves on.
So if you take a first glance, look at this, this is scoring from clearance differential, V opposition.
So the Dogs are on the positive side of it, but in comparison to Essendon, Port Adelaide, Melbourne,
Brisbane and Geelong, they're actually coming fifth for those that are on the positive side in scoring differential from clearance importantly though the last two weeks against Essendon and the Lions they've actually beaten them in this statistic.
So whilst they haven't been at the forefront of this stat throughout the regular season in finals, they have been in, it has told a tale, Tom.
Tom Boyd
Yeah. I mean, this graph in one line tells me one thing. This is why they picked Stefan Martin.
This is not about them per se, potentially dominating in this area, but it's definitely about mitigating Port Adelaide's ability to score from clearances. And the, the bulldogs are prior to themselves for a long time, for their ability to perform around the ball.
And they're giving themselves the best chance, obviously with an extra tool in there to compete against the, the Ruckman from Port Adelaide.
And I really do think that that's going to be a massive factor. And, and if Lycett gets on top, it's going to be really, really difficult.
Host
Big thank you to Victoria University and Sam McIntosh for all those numbers in the VU Data Lab.
