The rise.... and RISE of Marc Pittonet

[LP]

The ball has to reach the intended target.  That relies on the ruckman directing the ball accurately and the intended target moving to where the ball is hit.  If the intended target slips, is blocked, is too slow, misjudges the ball’s trajectory, or is beaten to the ball, the ruckman’s efforts are in vain and it’s not a hitout to advantage. 

Alternatively, a ruckman can hit the ball randomly and his midfielder picks the flight and gets to the ball.  That’s a hitout to advantage due solely to the midfielder’s skill/effort/luck.

Exactly why it is the most bogus stat in AFL.

The ball could flip a rucks finger, hit him in the face and bounce to a passing team-mate and be credited as a tap to advantage. The statisticians can't even know if the recipient was the intended target.