Often young sides win most possessions uncontested. This is simply due to the bodies of the players not being used to the rigours of AFL football and a tendency to use the ball on the outside.
It isn’t a trait exclusive to young sides however – for example, Essendon has won the most uncontested ball in 2014, relying on a largely outside-built game-plan.
The preference for uncontested possession is reflected in Brisbane’s possession splits so far in 2014. 62 per cent of its total disposals have been uncontested, a number which ranks it fifth in the competition.
Comparing it with the two expansion sides, young and untested back in 2012, a similar split between uncontested and contested possession becomes apparent.
| Team (Year) | Uncontested possession % | Contested possession % |
| Gold Coast (2012) | 61.2 | 38.8 |
| GWS Giants (2012) | 60.8 | 39.2 |
| Brisbane (2014) | 62.4 | 37.6 |
Scoring from stoppages is also an area of the game a young side can struggle in. Brisbane is no different, in news which should please a North team that has been inconsistent at stoppages in 2014.
Both sides have slipped since last year in relation to the rest of the league.
| Scores from stoppages | 2013 differential, R1-8 (AFL Rank) | 2014 differential (AFL Rank) |
| North Melbourne | +97 (3rd) | +7 (12th) |
| Brisbane | -94 (17th) | -231 (18th) |
However with both the Kangaroos and Lions’ teams featuring quality midfielders, those numbers will undoubtedly improve over the course of the season.
Through eight rounds, Brisbane’s point differential by quarter is at its best early in games. This is another sign of a young side being able to maintain its intensity for shorter periods of time.
For North, a side looking to rectify its slow starts, Justin Leppitsch’s team will provide a stern test in the early going at Etihad Stadium.
Conversely, the Roos will have every chance to provide a further illustration of their strong finishes.
| Total point differential | First quarter | Second quarter | Third quarter | Fourth quarter |
| Brisbane | -41 | -81 | -112 | -132 |
| North Melbourne | -61 | -8 | +8 | +36 |
The time in possession looms as an intriguing sub-plot of Saturday’s game. While Brisbane has struggled to control the ball for long periods of time, North is in a similar boat.
Both sides rank in the bottom tier for time of possession differential this season.
| Team | Time in possession differential | AFL Rank |
| Brisbane | -6.6% | 18th |
| North Melbourne | -3.7% | 15th |
