Player Rater

19th August 2011 Category: Statistical Analysis

Image: Slattery Media Group

Grant Birchall has only failed to get more than 20 disposals in 5 games this season. 4 of those games have been losses. If there was ever a barometer for a team, it’s Birchall for Hawthorn.

Birchall averages 25.1 disposals a game in Hawthorn wins, but only 17.5 in losses. The difference represents a percentage drop of 30% - greater than any other player at the club.

Carlton’s plan to stop Hawthorn, starts with Birchall.

Notes:

• Good teams have recognised Birchall’s influence - 3 of Hawthorn’s 4 losses have been inflicted by Geelong and Collingwood.
• Birchall is currently ranked 17th in the league for total effective disposals, and of those top ranked, Birchall is 2nd only to Scott Pendlebury in percentage of effective disposals. Birchall’s disposal efficiency on the season stands at 77.2% (Pendlebury - 78.3%). Birchall efficiency hasn’t been affected in losing games.
• Birchall is ranked 13th in the league for uncontested possessions per game.
  

Birchall's win/loss averages: