Just finished watching the replay of the Hawks game for about the 5th time and still enjoyed every minute. As many have said previously, one of the first really ferocious 4 quarter hit outs seen in a long long time. We are also showing a consistency of effort which has been missing for 32 years, including when we played in finals last in 2001 which brings me to my case in point.
In 2001 I personally I thought were were winning by playing pretty ugly footy. However, the true warning signs for our future sustainability in that year were in our losses and it is very clearly shown in the stats. Now whilst we ended up with a percentage of around 107 there are two very important averages which I need to highlight. (2001 stats include the 3 finals games)
In 2001 we were winning by an average of 28.4 points but we were losing by an average of 47.6 points
in 2012 so far we have completely reversed the trend. We have a percentage of 110 (Already 3 points higher than 2001). We are winning by an average of 46.75 points and losing by only 20.8 points. What makes these stats more exciting is that we have played most of the heavy hitters in the comp already and have not yet played the minnows in Gold Coast & GWS.
Now irrespective of how many games we win this year, if we are able to maintain our current trend for the rest of 2012, I am certain another Grand Final victory for us is not too far away.
FYI, in 1980 we finished with a percentage of around 138. Including finals games, we won by an average of 51.55 points and lost by an average of 24 points.
2012 is already showing that our winning average is getting close to the magic year of 1980 and our losing average is currently sitting about 8 points better than what we finished with in 1980.