

Key stat

League rank

Centre clearance winning % 46.4% 2nd Opposition kicks inside 50 marked 17.6% Equal 2nd One-on-one contest losing % 25.8% 2nd



Key stat

League rank

Tackling differential

+5.5

3rd

Kicking efficiency

65.6%

6th

One-on-one contest losing % 25.8% 2nd



Key stat

League rank

Contested possession differential

+8.2

3rd

Score per inside 50

51.9%

5th

Contested marks per game

13.1 1st





Key stat

League rank

Total disposals per game

378.8

1st

Inside 50 differential

+8.0

2nd

Time in forward half differential

+5:41

2nd





Key stat

League rank

Average inside 50s per game

54.9

1st

Total disposals per game 375.9

2nd

Points per game from intercepts

65.5

2nd





Key stat

League rank

Goals per inside 50

28.6%

3rd

Uncontested marks per game

89.9

1st

Opposition score per inside 50

44.5%

2nd



Key stat

League rank

Inside 50s conceded per game

46.5

2nd

Time in forward half differential +10:29

1st

Opposition score from a clearance

19.4%

1st





Key stat

League rank

Clearance winning %

42.9%

Equal 1st

Opposition goal per inside 50 25.1%

4th

Clearance leading to score %

27.7%

5th





Key stat

League rank

Set shot accuracy

66.5%

3rd

Uncontested possession %

62.1%

5th

Tackles in defensive half per game

35.2

4th





Key stat

League rank

Goals per inside 50

30.4%

1st

Disposal efficiency

73.5%

2nd

Tackles in defensive half per game

35.2

4th





Key stat

League rank

Scores from kick-in per game

+1.0

Equal 5th

Set shot accuracy 63.2 %

8th

Opposition effective long kicks per game

54.9

6th





Key stat

League rank

Goals per inside 50

30.3%

2nd

Disposal efficiency 74.3%

1st

Clearance differential

+5.9

1st





Key stat

League rank

Tackles per game

67.1

3rd

Time in forward half differential

+4:49

4th

Clearance leading to score %

29.2%

2nd





Key stat

League rank

Contested possession differential

+8.4

2nd

Score per inside 50

52.0%

4th

Disposal efficiency 73.4%

3rd





Key stat

League rank

Disposal efficiency 73.1%

4th

Uncontested possession rate

63.7%

1st

Offensive one-on-one winning %

30.7%

3rd





Key stat

League rank

Tackles per game

71.7

1st

Points from clearance differential

+14.5

2nd

Points against per game

77.0

2nd





Key stat

League rank

Score per inside 50 53.2%

1st

Hit out to advantage differential

+5.2

1st

Tackles per game

68.7

2nd





Key stat

League rank

Contested possession differential +12.5

1st

Disposal differential

+20.5

5th

Clearance differential

+5.2

2nd



Spearheaded by Patrick Dangerfield, the Crows' midfield is elite – there's no question. Rory Sloane took his game to another level and won his first best and fairest and Scott Thompson was still a real force. The side has so many players capable of rotating through the middle that they're going to be hard to stop even when their stars have a rest. If Sam Jacobs can return to his best form, Adelaide's engine room will be right up there with the best in the business again in 2014. – Harry ThringWhile it's nice being near the top of any statistical category, the fact the Lions are third in tackle differential and sixth in spoils might not be the best sign. In Jack Redden (6.7/game) and Dayne Zorko (5.3) they have two of the most hungry and prolific tacklers in the AFL, but that also comes as a result of not winning the ball. The Lions' poor clearance rate (15th) and contested possession differential (16th) gives them more chances to tackle. The one big positive for the Lions is finishing sixth in kicking efficiency. Often a trouble area over recent years, the blossoming Pearce Hanley, lethal Daniel Rich, classy Sam Mayes and under-rated defender Mitch Golby, gives them plenty of weapons by foot. – Michael WhitingThese positive returns from 2013 can largely be attributed to the game style demanded by Mick Malthouse, who will accept no compromise on hardness at the contest and long, direct ball use to key targets, which often results in more contested marking opportunities and a more open forward zone that is conducive to scoring, particularly on the counter-attack. The Blues boast quality hardball winners in Chris Judd, Marc Murphy and Brock McLean, and Bryce Gibbs lifted in this area. They also boasted four of the AFL's top nine players when it came to contested-mark average: Levi Casboult (third), Jarrad Waite (fourth), Lachie Henderson and Shaun Hampson (equal seventh). – Ben CollinsCollingwood uses short kicks and handballs to share the ball around. Its midfielders can gallop all game and know where to run to receive handballs. It is a shift from the long kicking game Nathan Buckley's predecessor favoured but it is one good teams employ. Collingwood's defensive structures are good so it is able to retain the ball in the back half, however opponents were too often in free space last year once they broke the defensive line. It meant opponents scored more easily than the Magpies when they went forward. – Peter RyanOften maligned in previous years, Essendon's midfield has significantly improved and the addition of Brendon Goddard last year showed in the statistics. The Bombers got more of the ball and sent it inside 50 more last year than almost every team, through a more organised, disciplined approach. Often their approach to attack started in defence, though, and specifically with Cale Hooker, who was the club's leading intercept marker. – Callum TwomeyEach of these statistics is a consequence of Ross Lyon's philosophy of team pressure and team defence. Firstly, Fremantle is the third best side in the AFL for goals scored per inside 50 because of the ability to turn the ball over. The Dockers pressure opposition teams into turning the ball over and sharp ball movement and spread from the turnover means a high percentage of scores from entries because the opposition has not had time to set up its defence. The Dockers are number one for uncontested marks due to Lyon's want to take short options by foot. They are also the most miserly defence in the League and unsurprisingly rank in the top two for opposition scores per inside 50. The ability of the Dockers defenders to drop off their opponents and take intercept marks is a hallmark of their play. – Alex MalcolmThe Cats didn't finish the home and away season second on the ladder for no reason. They were very good at denying their opposition entries into attack, and they also generated a stack of inside 50s for themselves. They used an interesting strategy at clearances, often conceding the first possession to their opposition, then quickly winning the ball back by forcing that possession to miss its target. It was that strategy which enabled Chris Scott's team to concede the fewest scores from an opposition clearance in the competition. – Adam McNicolIt's a mark of the Suns' brand and character they are ranked equal first in clearance win percentage for such a young list. Aside from sublime skipper Gary Ablett, they also have Dion Prestia and Jaeger O'Meara ranked inside the competition's top-40 in clearances by sheer volume. Throw in combative David Swallow and experienced bodies like Danny Stanley and Michael Rischitelli and you have a core of terrific ball hunters. It is little surprise then that they also rank fifth for turning clearances into scores. It should also be noted that while Zac Smith, Tom Nicholls or Charlie Dixon remain in the ruck, there's a fair chance Gold Coast will at least get an even-money crack at using the ball first. You can expect this to continue in 2014 with the likely additions of Jack Martin and Jesse Lonergan into the midfield rotation. – Michael WhitingThe set shot statistic is encouraging for the Giants, led by young superstar Jeremy Cameron's stunning return of 62.27 in 2013. While their chances are often fleeting, it is a good sign they can show composure and capitalise on their opportunities. The fledgling side is also learning how to use space around the ground and enjoy uncontested possessions, a critical element for a team with so many young, undersized players. They do focus on contested possessions and punch above their weight, with the likes of Callan Ward, Tom Scully and Dylan Shiel happy to operate on the inside, but it's still no surprise they have a high uncontested possession rate at this stage of their development. So far the Giants have also spent much of their time at the defensive end, leading to a high number of tackles in their back half. But again, hardness and tackling are important features for the side and are helping to lay a platform for a talented team that should soon blossom into a competitive unit. – James DampneyThese statistics paint a succinct summary of the Hawks as a team, and a blueprint for their premiership success: a potent, multi-faceted forward line, pinpoint disposal by hand and foot – particularly from the back half – and ruthless forward pressure led by tackling machines Luke Breust, Cyril Rioli and Paul Puopolo. – Mark MacguganIt's no secret the Demons have the ball entering inside their defensive 50 a lot, so they have had to adapt and turn a negative in to a positive. As such, the Demons have worked out an effective way for transitioning the ball from defence to attack. Melbourne's fast ball movement became a key part of the club's scoring chains, allowing the forwards to take their set shots from reasonable spots. Their competition rank of eighth for set shot accuracy is testament to that. Expect the scores from kick-ins to change marginally next season, as the Demons will find better ways to win the ball out of the middle under Paul Roos. As will the team's capacity to deny the opposition easy passage toward their goals. That will form part of Roos' mantra, as he seeks to improve every aspect of the Demons' side. – Ben GuthrieWith clearance machines such as Andrew Swallow, Jack Ziebell and Ben Cunnington, it was no surprise North dominated at stoppages in 2013. It might surprise some, however, that the Roos' disposal efficiency was the best in the competition. In recent years, the Roos have widely been seen as a blue-collar team short on polish. But that perception now appears outdated, with star recruit Nick Dal Santo set to add even more class to North's ball use in 2014. The Roos' elite ability to create goals out of inside 50 entries reflects both their good delivery and the potency of an attack headed by Drew Petrie, Lindsay Thomas and the emerging Aaron Black. – Nick BowenThe Power have built a side that thrives on tackling and Ken Hinkley's defensive game plan only adds to it. The likes of Brad Ebert, Kane Cornes, Ollie Wines and skipper Travis Boak are all tackle machines – as is ruckman Matthew Lobbe. Tackles at stoppages can often lead to clearances and when the Power clear the ball to their forward line they have the firepower to make the most of the opportunity. Forwards like Jay Schulz, Chad Wingard, Angus Monfries and Robbie Gray only need half a chance to score – but their midfielders are also equally adapt at finishing the job once the ball is cleared. – Harry ThringThe Tigers used Jack Riewoldt further up the ground in 2013 in an effort to find a greater spread of goalkickers. While some criticised the move, it resulted in a less predictable forward line and gave the team more attacking options, which explains the scores per inside 50 ranking. The Tigers' clean foot skills were also instrumental in getting the ball to their forwards in good positions, allowing them to convert consistently. While he led the team with 58 goals, Riewoldt played a key role in setting up his teammates, ranking No.1 for his club for goal assists (he ranked No.3 in the competition in this category). Richmond played a slick brand of football in 2013, keeping stoppage numbers low and doing its best work on the outside. This generally resulted in less contested play, less tackling and a higher disposal efficiency. When the ball was up for grabs, however, the Tigers didn't flinch, with coach Damien Hardwick instilling on a hard edge in his players. – Nathan SchmookThe Saints played an open style of game under Scott Watters after breaking away from the ultra-defensive model of Ross Lyon. While this style was an attempt to inject more scoring, it often left them vulnerable on the counter-attack. It's no surprise they were the team with the most uncontested possessions in the competition given the way they played, which also saw them give away plenty of uncontested marks to the opposition but have the space to hit targets - reflected in their disposal efficiency that ranked them fourth overall. While they ranked highly in both these areas, that's not necessarily a good thing and there's a strong possibility we'll see a change under Alan Richardson, who will need to find a balance between the styles of Lyon and Watters. – Jennifer PhelanIt is no great shock to see the Swans once again top the tackling count. That side of the game has been their bread and butter for years and they continue to be the competition's yardstick. It is a source of pride and it is merely assumed that every player that enters the club will focus on becoming an elite tackler. The Swans were also an incredibly efficient team around the stoppages in 2013. With Mike Pyke and former ruckman Shane Mumford often giving them first-use of the ball, and Josh Kennedy comfortably laying claim to being the AFL's best clearance player, the Swans are able to secure possession and quickly get it into their forward line and score. Coupled with their tackling intensity is the team's overall defence. They are regularly among the competition's most miserly sides and play a clamping, accountable brand of football that ensures their opposition are rarely allowed to score heavily. – James DampneyThe three stats point to the Eagles key strengths in 2013. They are first for scores per inside 50 because of their directness under John Worsfold. The former coach preferred one-on-one football and loathed to allow teams to drop a loose defender back. They also had two towering targets in Josh Kennedy and Jack Darling who kicked 102 goals between them. The Eagles tackling is also a reflection of Worsfold's influence. Players like Scott Selwood, Matt Priddis and Mark Hutchings embody their former coach's philosophy of a ferocious attack on the ball carrier. – Alex MalcolmThe Western Bulldogs had no trouble getting their hands on the ball in 2013, and that's mainly due to the uncompromising approach of its tough midfielders, particularly Matthew Boyd and Tom Liberatore. Contested ball is their go, and Will Minson spoon-fed his teammates with a blistering year in the ruck. This was a source of pride for the club, even during the tough times last season. The Dogs have plenty of players hoping to get a run through the middle next season, and there has been a heavy focus on stoppages at training this summer. – Jacqui Reed