In previous seasons, a team’s total inside 50’s would have been used as the be all and end all for analysing their proficiency going forward.
However this year the discussion changed slightly, and ‘goal scoring efficiency’ became part of the conversation.
In the most recent part of the review series, we looked at how North was the best defensive team in the AFL during second halves. Going hand in hand with that performance was how the side was able to repel opposition’s inside 50’s.
It was an area where the Kangaroos made their most significant jump from 2013, and enabled them to win and stay in games they wouldn’t have been able to just a year ago. For example:
- In Round 4, Sydney entered its 50 on 66 occasions. The Swans only kicked six goals and North won by 43 points.
- In the last quarter of Round 6, Fremantle was held goalless from 16 inside 50’s. North came from behind to win by 13 points.
- In the second quarter of Round 22, Adelaide had 20 inside 50’s. North held it to three goals - an effort which proved crucial in a narrow seven-point victory.
North Melbourne | Scores conceded per inside 50 | AFL rank |
2013 | 41.5% | 13th |
2014 | 36.6% | 3rd |
Scott Thompson played a large part in helping North’s improvement in this area. While he was on the end of a handful of quality performances from the AFL’s best forwards, the defender still led the AFL in intercept possessions and defensive 50 groundball gets, while also ranking third in intercept marks.
With Thompson alongside a fully fit Lachlan Hansen in 2015, the flexibility of North’s backline should prove to be a major boost against any side in the competition.
While much was made of the Kangaroos’ decrease in scoring power this season, a large part of it was simply down to inaccuracy. The side was still able to score from almost the exact same percentage of inside 50 entries – a feat that was an extra achievement considering scoring was down across the AFL this year.
North Melbourne | Scores per inside 50 | AFL rank |
2013 | 43.3% | 2nd |
2014 | 42.5% | 1st |
Perhaps a large part of North’s success in scoring once inside the 50 comes from where it attacked. No other side was able to use the corridor as much during the home and away season.
That opened up the whole 50 for the midfielders, which in turn had opposition defences having to cover more space. It enabled the likes of Drew Petrie, Ben Brown and company to lead into their preferred areas. It indicates the accuracy dip in 2014 will likely prove to be just a temporary one and nothing long-lasting.
Team | % of inside 50’s through the corridor (H&A) |
North Melbourne | 46.3% |
Fremantle | 45.8% |
Geelong | 45.6% |
