- Jan 9, 2013
- 3,187
- 5,176
- AFL Club
- West Coast
- Other Teams
- Perth Scorchers, South Fremantle
From The West today...
thewest.com.au
West Coast star Nic Naitanui named best player in the AFL, Fremantle’s list in lowly 16th
Jordan McArdleThe West Australian
Monday, 10 February 2020 5:20PM
West Coast superstar Nic Naitanui is the best player in the AFL and Fremantle are the third-worst team, according to Champion Data.
Naitanui was one of several Eagles in the elite category including four-time All-Australian Jeremy McGovern, rated as the best key defender, premiership captain Shannon Hurn and midfield bull Elliot Yeo.
Luke Shuey, Nic Naitanui and Will Schofield at Eagles training. Credit: Nic Ellis/The West Australian
“It’s about what he does and his impact on the game,” Champion Data analyst Daniel Hoyne said.
“His ruck work and ground ball work were both huge factors in his rating as the best player in the competition.”
The 2018 premiers were rated fifth-best overall, behind reigning champs Richmond, Western Bulldogs, Collingwood and Greater Western Sydney.
Their midfield was also fifth, despite the huge recruiting coup of Tim Kelly from Geelong, but only “marginally” off the top-ranked Brisbane Lions.
The biggest shock was the Eagles’ defence, which was rated 13th, while their forward-line was sixth.
“There was only a small margin between seventh and 13th,” Hoyne said.
“McGovern was rated as the best key defender in the competition and Shannon Hurn was the eighth best general defender.
“Tom Barrass and Lewis Jetta were both rated as above average, Barrass because of his intercept-marking and Jetta because of his ball use.
“Brad Sheppard and Will Schofield were both below average as they didn’t offer too much offensively.”
Sam Switkowski was rated as one of Fremantle’s best players. Credit: AAPIMAGE
Fremantle were 15th for both defence and midfield, while the “pretty thin” forward department was 14th.
Champion Data’s 18-team list analysis, as part of its 2020 AFL Prospectus, had only Gold Coast and Carlton behind the Dockers.
Dual Brownlow medallist and skipper Nat Fyfe was the only elite Docker, while Michael Walters, Rory Lobb, David Mundy, Brandon Matera, Luke Ryan, Stephen Hill and “surprise to some” Sam Switkowski were above average.
“Fyfe’s a superstar and Michael Walters is on the verge of being an elite player,” Hoyne said.
“Lobb and Mundy are above average, Andy Brayshaw, Darcy Tucker and (recruit) Blake Acres are rated as average.
“The Dockers were hurt by (young ruck) Sean Darcy, Reece Conca, and Stefan Giro’s poor ratings.
“There was on top-end talent in the forward-line, with no players rated in the top 50 compared to some teams which have three, four and five in there.
“Matt Taberner, Cam McCarthy, Brennan Cox, Travis Colyer, were all rated below average and Jesse Hogan was in the poor category.
Luke Ryan has been rated Fremantle’s best defender. Credit: AAPIMAGE
“Luke Ryan was their best-rated defender, 72nd overall, with Ethan Hughes the next best at 258.”
New coach Justin Longmuir has taken over the second youngest and second least-experienced list in the competition, with 20 players joining the club in the national draft since the end of 2016, and seven through trades.
The Suns, last season’s wooden-spooners, have the weakest list, worst defence and worst forward group, while Carlton takes the worst midfield title.
The Tigers remains the AFL’s most dominant force according to Champion Data, with the best overall list, the leading defence, second-best group of forwards and seventh midfield brigade.
The data which says Nic Nat is the game's No.1
West Coast superstar Nic Naitanui is the best player in the AFL and Fremantle are the third-worst team, according to Champion Data.
thewest.com.au
West Coast star Nic Naitanui named best player in the AFL, Fremantle’s list in lowly 16th
Jordan McArdleThe West Australian
Monday, 10 February 2020 5:20PM
West Coast superstar Nic Naitanui is the best player in the AFL and Fremantle are the third-worst team, according to Champion Data.
Naitanui was one of several Eagles in the elite category including four-time All-Australian Jeremy McGovern, rated as the best key defender, premiership captain Shannon Hurn and midfield bull Elliot Yeo.
“It’s about what he does and his impact on the game,” Champion Data analyst Daniel Hoyne said.
“His ruck work and ground ball work were both huge factors in his rating as the best player in the competition.”
The 2018 premiers were rated fifth-best overall, behind reigning champs Richmond, Western Bulldogs, Collingwood and Greater Western Sydney.
Their midfield was also fifth, despite the huge recruiting coup of Tim Kelly from Geelong, but only “marginally” off the top-ranked Brisbane Lions.
The biggest shock was the Eagles’ defence, which was rated 13th, while their forward-line was sixth.
“There was only a small margin between seventh and 13th,” Hoyne said.
“McGovern was rated as the best key defender in the competition and Shannon Hurn was the eighth best general defender.
“Tom Barrass and Lewis Jetta were both rated as above average, Barrass because of his intercept-marking and Jetta because of his ball use.
“Brad Sheppard and Will Schofield were both below average as they didn’t offer too much offensively.”
Fremantle were 15th for both defence and midfield, while the “pretty thin” forward department was 14th.
Champion Data’s 18-team list analysis, as part of its 2020 AFL Prospectus, had only Gold Coast and Carlton behind the Dockers.
Dual Brownlow medallist and skipper Nat Fyfe was the only elite Docker, while Michael Walters, Rory Lobb, David Mundy, Brandon Matera, Luke Ryan, Stephen Hill and “surprise to some” Sam Switkowski were above average.
“Fyfe’s a superstar and Michael Walters is on the verge of being an elite player,” Hoyne said.
“Lobb and Mundy are above average, Andy Brayshaw, Darcy Tucker and (recruit) Blake Acres are rated as average.
“The Dockers were hurt by (young ruck) Sean Darcy, Reece Conca, and Stefan Giro’s poor ratings.
“There was on top-end talent in the forward-line, with no players rated in the top 50 compared to some teams which have three, four and five in there.
“Matt Taberner, Cam McCarthy, Brennan Cox, Travis Colyer, were all rated below average and Jesse Hogan was in the poor category.
“Luke Ryan was their best-rated defender, 72nd overall, with Ethan Hughes the next best at 258.”
New coach Justin Longmuir has taken over the second youngest and second least-experienced list in the competition, with 20 players joining the club in the national draft since the end of 2016, and seven through trades.
The Suns, last season’s wooden-spooners, have the weakest list, worst defence and worst forward group, while Carlton takes the worst midfield title.
The Tigers remains the AFL’s most dominant force according to Champion Data, with the best overall list, the leading defence, second-best group of forwards and seventh midfield brigade.
