04-19-2023, 12:13 PM
As LP is fond of pointing out, there are problems with the hitouts to advantage statistic (that is, hitouts that reach the intended target … but how do those who record the stats know who was the target?).
Tom could palm the ball to Crippa’s advantage but if Crippa slips or is bumped off the ball, it’s not a hitout to advantage. Similarly, if Tom palms the ball to Crippa who is tackled and free-kicked for holding the ball, Tom is credited with a hitout to advantage and the opposition gets the clearance.
Then there’s a clean possession from a ruck contest. I believe that counts as a contested possession, not a hitout, as does a sharked opposition hitout.
There’s also hitouts that gain territory, hitouts that force another stoppage, nullifying the opposition ruck’s hitouts, forcing the opposition ruck to hit to areas that advantage our midfielders and milking frees for ruck infringements.
Clearances is probably a better statistic for determining a ruckman’s contribution but, like hitouts to advantage, it relies on the efforts of others.
The best tap ruckmen don’t just get hitouts to advantage, they guarantee clearances and create scoring opportunities. Paddy Ryder was one of the best exponents in recent times. Some of Tom’s ruckwork is right up there … he just doesn’t do it often enough.
Tom could palm the ball to Crippa’s advantage but if Crippa slips or is bumped off the ball, it’s not a hitout to advantage. Similarly, if Tom palms the ball to Crippa who is tackled and free-kicked for holding the ball, Tom is credited with a hitout to advantage and the opposition gets the clearance.
Then there’s a clean possession from a ruck contest. I believe that counts as a contested possession, not a hitout, as does a sharked opposition hitout.
There’s also hitouts that gain territory, hitouts that force another stoppage, nullifying the opposition ruck’s hitouts, forcing the opposition ruck to hit to areas that advantage our midfielders and milking frees for ruck infringements.
Clearances is probably a better statistic for determining a ruckman’s contribution but, like hitouts to advantage, it relies on the efforts of others.
The best tap ruckmen don’t just get hitouts to advantage, they guarantee clearances and create scoring opportunities. Paddy Ryder was one of the best exponents in recent times. Some of Tom’s ruckwork is right up there … he just doesn’t do it often enough.
“Why don’t you knock it off with them negative waves? Why don’t you dig how beautiful it is out here? Why don’t you say something righteous and hopeful for a change?” Oddball