The pressure kings: Who applies the heat from your club? Nathan Schmook
AFL.com.au
17 August 2016THE WAY AFL clubs measure pressure have evolved rapidly in the past five years as the correlation between pressure applied and winning becomes stronger.
The analysis goes well beyond just tackles, spoils and smothers, with Champion Data introducing pressure points in 2011.
The points system is a key tool for clubs and awards appropriately weighted points for each of the four 'pressure acts'.
Points are awarded for corralling (1.2), chasing (1.5), closing (2.75) and physical pressure (3.75).
On this measure, Hawthorn midfielder Liam Shiels is the AFL's pressure king, but who applies the most heat in each area of the ground for your club?
RICHMONDThe Tigers rank No.18 in the AFL for tackles, and when you dig a bit deeper the story doesn't get much better. They are ranked No.13 in the League for pressure points, with an average differential of -2.9.
Backline: Bachar Houli is the Tigers' No.1 pressure player in defence, with 10.5 pressure points a game in this area (No.19 in the AFL). Overall it is the only zone the Tigers rank inside the top eight as a team, coming in at No.6 with a differential of 8.2.
Midfield: Captain Trent Cotchin leads the midfield with 33.8 pressure points a game in this zone (No.33 in the AFL). The engine room is a glaring weakness for the Tigers, who are ranked No.17 in the AFL with a pressure differential of -7.8 a game.
Forwards: Sam Lloyd's average of 9.8 pressure points a game in the forward line ranks No.51 in the AFL but No.1 at Richmond. As a group, the Tigers' forwards are ranked No.10 in the AFL with a pressure differential of -1.6 a game.
Pressure king: Trent Cotchin – 44 pressure points a game anywhere on the ground (No.46 in the AFL)
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-08-17/the-pressure-kings-who-applies-the-heat-at-your-club