Often in games, the accuracy of a team in front of goal is commented on. However the aspect of it which doesn’t get noted nearly as much is where the scoring shots are coming from.
While a side may post a score like 10.14 or 13.17 and get criticised for inaccuracy, it’s tough to kick straight when the majority of attempts are coming either from distance or a tight angle.
To illustrate an example of such an occurrence, North Melbourne’s semi-final victory over Geelong is informative. On face value, it looks like the Cats struggled with inaccuracy, finishing with a score of 13.14.92 in a six-point loss.
However North forced Geelong into taking the majority of its scoring shots from range. Of the Cats’ 14 behinds, eight came from more than 40 metres out from goal, with a further three being rushed.
| Semi Final, 2014 | 0-30 metres | 30-40 metres | 40+ metres |
| Geelong scoring shots | 4.2 | 1.1 | 8.8 |
It plays into what North had been able to do all season in its victories; force opponents into tough shots on goal.
Comparing the shot success in North’s wins and losses leads to a wide gap in accuracy.
| 2014 | Scoring accuracy % | Shot at goal accuracy % |
| Opponents in NMFC wins | 53.5% | 44% |
| AFL rank | 54.5% | 45.1% |
| Opponents in NMFC losses | 60.7% | 52.5% |
| AFL rank | 61.3% | 52.7% |
Shots on goal are broken down into five different distance categories by Champion Data – from 0-15 metres, 15-30, 30-40, 40-50 and 50+. Once the numbers are compared in wins and losses, the differences become readily apparent.
As expected, any attempts from within 30 metres end up with a high enough conversion rate for it not to make a difference in a match result. However it’s in the 30-40 and 40-50 categories where the discrepancy comes in.
| 2014, 30-40 metres | Shots per game | Scoring accuracy % | Shot accuracy % |
| Opponents, NMFC win | 4.5 | 50.8% | 43.1% |
| Opponents, NMFC loss | 8.4 | 60.3% | 53.9% |
Not only is there a distinct difference in the accuracy, but also in the total shots taken. In wins, opponents rarely were able to venture into that area of the field. However it doubled in losses. Combining the increase with more converted shots made a recipe for a tough afternoon on the field.
The trend continued once the distance was moved back to the 40-50 metre range.
| 2014, 40-50 metres | Shots per game | Scoring accuracy % | Shot accuracy % |
| Opponents, NMFC win | 6.8 | 42.0% | 31.2% |
| Opponents, NMFC loss | 9.0 | 49.3% | 43.2% |
Again, much like the 30-40 metre range, the space between wins and losses is noticeable. In wins, the shot accuracy – this takes into account kicks that don’t register any score – dips pleasingly low for North, and plays a large part in its improved defensive numbers.
Once the previous two tables are combined into one, a trend emerges of a crucial range from goal in North’s games this season.
| 2014, 30-50 metres | Shots per game | Scoring accuracy % | Shot accuracy % |
| Opponents, NMFC win | 11.3 | 45.8% | 35.9% |
| Opponents, NMFC loss | 17.4 | 54.7% | 48.4% |
