On Sunday, Richmond defied their recent record to beat a good team away from home.

Oh wait, no scratch that, it was at the MCG. The ‘home’ team was Geelong. Go figure.

So as it stands the Tigers are still no good on the road against good teams. Or against any teams really, given they’re 0-3 interstate this season.

That’s not to say it will be a problem for them in their hunt for back-to-back premierships this season given the AFL still seems to prioritise big MCG crowds over any notion of equality or fairness in the fixture, but it does raise an interesting point with regards to home ground advantage.

In a new book Footballistics - it was released this week, so do yourself a favour - ABC journalist James Coventry has teamed up with most of my favourite footy number crunchers on the internet and used data to unveil some of the AFL’s hidden truths.

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They’re able to categorically answer some of the most longstanding debates in the game - like if the 2001 draft was the best in history, who are the most passionate fans, the existence of Victorian bias in Hall of Fame admission, and importantly, does playing at home actually help your chances of winning?

The short answer is yes.

Camera Icon Lots of affirmation going on here. Credit: Getty Images

They found the home team in any AFL game has a 58.3 per cent chance of getting the four points. That extends to 61.9 per cent if the home team is playing an opponent from interstate.

There are many reasons behind these numbers, which they drill down on in the book, but that’s the bare bones of it. And combined with their interstate record this season, it tells us that any team which wants to get past Richmond in September this year had better get them on the road, because fellow contenders like Sydney and West Coast can’t afford to give the Tigers any kind of head start, let alone a 61.9 per cent chance on the last day of the season.

And with things so tight at the top of the ladder, Richmond finishing third is a live proposition.

While we’re on the topic of ‘interstate’ teams, Footballistics also reveals just how much of an effect travelling can have on a footballer’s longevity.

It probably won’t help the Eagles or Dockers’ recruiting strategy, but analyst Matt Cowgill found that only 3.7 per cent of 200-gamers playing in WA will go on to reach 300 games. That’s compared to 23.8 per cent of South Australian-based players and 16.9 per cent in Victoria.

Maybe Matthew Pavlich’s ability to play 353 games with 855,128km under his belt was somewhat underrated, yeah?

Footballistics is available wherever you buy books or e-books. I’d suggest picking it up if you like smart footy conversations - and particularly if you’re one of those people who loves whinging about the lack of them.

The sneaky rising star chance

Why do people dislike Sydney? Because they keep bloody finding good players.

Even after being banned from the trade table for the Lance Franklin deal, which was completely within the rules, and changing the draft completely by getting Isaac Heeney at pick 18, the Swans are still flushed with talent.

Oliver Florent is just the latest in a long line of young stars to emerge.

Three weeks ago it was only the diehards who knew his name. This week he’s equal-favourite for the Rising Star award.

He’s a gun. Get to know him.