The AFL Free Kick Ladder - 2019 to 2023

[GVGjr]

The AFL Free Kick Ladder - 2019 to 2023

It's the off-season so we?ve got no new numbers from 2023 to run.

But we felt it important to take a look at the Free Kick Ladder over the past five AFL seasons and see who has been the umpires favourites.

We've crunched the numbers dating back to and including 2019 for home and away and finals games to come up with the Free Kick Ladder for the last five years.

Best differentials

1 - Western Bulldogs (+273)
2 - Collingwood (+202)
3 - Fremantle (+112)
4 - Adelaide (+90)
5 - Brisbane (+83)

Worst differentials

1 - Richmond (-331)
2 - Hawthorn (-143)
3 - GWS Giants (-117)
4 - Sydney (-102)
5 - Gold Coast (-43)

Most frees for

1 - Brisbane (2311)
2 - Collingwood (2174)
3 - Geelong (2157)
4 - Western Bulldogs (2130)
5 - Port Adelaide (2112)

Least frees for

1 - Hawthorn (1843)
2 - Essendon (1938)
3 - Richmond (1940)
4 - Gold Coast (1941)
5 - West Coast (1957)

Most frees against

1 - Richmond (2271)
2 - Brisbane (2228)
3 - Sydney (2199)
4 - Port Adelaide (2150)
5 - Geelong (2144)

Least frees against

1 - Western Bulldogs (1857)
2 - Fremantle (1897)
3 - West Coast (1948)
4 - Essendon (1970)
5 - Collingwood (1972)

The Free Kick Ladder - 2019 to 2023

The Western Bulldogs sit on top of the standings with a differential of +273 stemming from four positive differentials over the last five years (they were -3 this year).

Second on the rankings is Collingwood on +202 ahead of, in third place, Fremantle on +112 as the only three clubs with a 100-plus advantage.

Adelaide (+90) and Brisbane (+83) make up the top five.

At the other end of the table, Richmond is far and away the worst with a parity of -331. Meaning there is a differential of 604 between the Dogs up the top and the Tigers down the bottom.

Some 188 free kicks away in second bottom is Hawthorn on -143, clear of GWS on -117. Sydney (-102) and Gold Coast (-43) make up the bottom five.

Hawthorn has received nearly 100 fewer free kicks than the next lowest team (Essendon).

[hujsh]

#freekickbulldogs

[Hotdog60]

When your first to the ball you will earn the free kicks. It's what happens after that wins the game.

[bornadog]

When your first to the ball you will earn the free kicks. It's what happens after that wins the game.

Excatly - one of the best cont. poss. sides over that period

[jeemak]

And purposefully trained not to give away free kicks.

When questioned about it a while ago Beveridge gave a very stern look to the questioner and said something along the lines of there might be something in that in the way we train.

We should have been pinged for a few more throws than we have been.......

Perhaps having a coach that also talks about protecting umpires and respecting them openly and regularly makes a difference as well.

[Bulldog Joe]

I actually think it is about game stlye.

We concede the least frees and might indicate that we are a little too bruise free in our game.

We zone rather than directly defend, so opposition waltz away without the physical challenge that might result in a free.

[jeemak]

I actually think it is about game stlye.

We concede the least frees and might indicate that we are a little too bruise free in our game.

We zone rather than directly defend, so opposition waltz away without the physical challenge that might result in a free.

You'd agree that this year was probably our most bruise free right? Our differential was in the negative in the only year out of the five measured.

Now the 273 number seems like a lot, but divided by the actual games played in that time it's only at 2.4 frees a game difference.

So without getting too scientific, this is bullshit analysis. But enough to get the bogans in a tizz, no doubt

You might argue Richmond bullied their way to a couple of premierships, but at the same time you might argue Melbourne didn't and nor did Collingwood or whoever won it last year (I honestly don't remember).

Edit - oh that's right, Geelong.

[Mavericks]

As a long term Bulldogs supporter I do feel between 15-22 was the best rub of the green we received since I have been a supporter in the 80’s. I was always convinced we were on the wrong end of the umps. This year was a return to the status quo. I agree we are a discipline side but thought we got most 50/50s .This year I thought 50/50 frees went against us.

[Go_Dogs]

Watch us get smashed in the stat this year.

[Twodogs]

As a long term Bulldogs supporter I do feel between 15-22 was the best rub of the green we received since I have been a supporter in the 80’s. I was always convinced we were on the wrong end of the umps. This year was a return to the status quo. I agree we are a discipline side but thought we got most 50/50s .This year I thought 50/50 frees went against us.

You're not wrong about the early '80s (add the late '70s too.) We'd get crucified every week.

Watch us get smashed in the stat this year.

Yep. You can back it in.

[Flipper]

Yeah totally! Richmond really pushed the envelope with free kicks, especially their defenders. Lots of blocking and holding. Worked well for them because the whistle gets put away a bit more during finals.
Some midfields are much more defensively inclined and will sweet on their opponents which can lead to free kicks.
Our midfielders all just want to get the ball.
Honestly I wish we were more defensive and gave away more free kicks