Resource 2021 Squad Selection & Ratings

[Dylan82]

Really? So what was Norf’s rating?

Working it out retrospectively the Kangaroos selected squad came in at 'F' as well, with effectively only Goldstein preventing them from being 'F-'.

 

[Dylan82]

Squad Selection:

Elimination Final (vs Collingwood Magpies @ Optus Stadium [Perth Stadium])




Four big changes as the cavalry return for a do or die clash against Collingwood.

Williams, Rotham, Schofield and Foley making way for Shuey, McGovern, Redden and Cripps.


As a result, the selected squad goes into this match with an 'A-' rating.

 

[Dylan82]

Ratings updated after two weeks of Finals.

A cruel twist still shows West Coast as the highest rated team if all players are available.


Liam Ryan now rates as the second-highest rated marking forward in the squad after Darling, overtaking both Kennedy and Allen.

 

[Dylan82]

Ratings updated before the final match of the season.

After this week's announcement, there are now six players who will not be on the list next year (Schofield [retired], Brayshaw [delisted], Reid [delisted], Watson [delisted], Treacy [delisted], M.O'Neill [delisted]).

 

[Dylan82]

Ratings updated after the Grand Final and player trading period.

Hickey is removed from the squad after his trade to Sydney, whilst Langdon and Witherden come in from GWS and Brisbane respectively.

Numbers for the new arrivals have been tentatively placed in reversed format from their 2020 numbers at their former clubs (i.e. 71 and 92) until they are officially revealed by the club for the 2021 season.


The acquisition of Witherden in particular places the best available selection up to an A+ rating.

 

[BeornJ]

Ratings updated after the Grand Final and player trading period.

Hickey is removed from the squad after his trade to Sydney, whilst Langdon and Witherden come in from GWS and Brisbane respectively.

Numbers for the new arrivals have been tentatively placed in reversed format from their 2020 numbers at their former clubs (i.e. 71 and 92) until they are officially revealed by the club for the 2021 season.


The acquisition of Witherden in particular places the best available selection up to an A+ rating.

Does Witho truly play midfield minutes or is it more that he is a high accumilating defender?

Seems like the midfield depth will be improved regardless. XON got some good exposure this year and should develop nicely,

Redden or Sheed might get pushed out of the best 22 the team is that strong.

Duggan will probably play more midfield minutes. Nelson and Cole can float through as well.

I don't mind Ainsworth and I think he will become a decent backup if any of our mids go down.

Another preseason of Kelly gelling with the rest of the team should lead to even more potency in the middle.

Exciting times next year.

 

[Dylan82]

The three 2020 draftees (L.Edwards, Winder and Trew) have been added with placeholder numbers 91, 93 and 94 until they are officially revealed by the club.

 

[Dylan82]

Squad selection has been updated for the 2021 season after official announcement of guernsey numbers:

7. Zac Langdon
16. Luke Edwards
22. Isiah Winder
23. Alex Witherden
26. Zane Trew
31. Jamaine Jones (changed from 47 in 2020)

 

[BeornJ]

Squad selection has been updated for the 2021 season after official announcement of guernsey numbers:

7. Zac Langdon
16. Luke Edwards
22. Isiah Winder
23. Alex Witherden
26. Zane Trew
31. Jamaine Jones (changed from 47 in 2020)

Thanks Dylan. How has this affected the team's rating?

 

[BeornJ]

Team ratings please

 

[Dylan82]

Time for Season 2021.


Squad Selection:

Round 1 (vs Gold Coast Suns @ Optus Stadium [Perth Stadium])



First game for the new season, Langdon makes his West Coast debut and Vardy makes his first senior appearance since Round 12, 2019.

Jones is named as the substitute.


The absences of Yeo and Shuey weaken the midfield significantly.

 

[BeornJ]

Thank you!

 

[Dylan82]

Ratings updated after the first round of season 2021.

Big gains to be seen across the whole backline and from midfielders Kelly and Sheed as a result of the win over Gold Coast.

Allen's tally of four goals boost him to his best rating so far.

 

[Dylan82]

Squad Selection:

Round 2 (vs Western Bulldogs @ Marvel Stadium [Docklands Stadium])




A single change for the club's first trip away to Victoria since 2019.

Petruccelle comes out for Jones in a like-for-like replacement. Ah Chee named as the injury substitute.


With Yeo and Shuey remaining absent by injury, the weakness in the midfield reduces the rating of the squad to a 'C'.


That is a concern because this weeks opponents, the Bulldogs, have the highest midfield rating in the competition.

 

[Marlin01]

Sorry if you have answered this question 100 times Dylan, but how does Hurn get a ranking of A++ yet NN gets A+ despite their relative position rankings? Is BP considered a more influential position than ruck?

 

[BeornJ]

Sorry if you have answered this question 100 times Dylan, but how does Hurn get a ranking of A++ yet NN gets A+ despite their relative position rankings? Is BP considered a more influential position than ruck?

I think it is because Hurn has the high ranking of defender playing small and the quite high ranking of defender playing tall.

Whereas Naitanui is clear #1 ruckman but not high in anything else.

Hey Dylan, what would happen if you also named Nic an onball mid?

 

[Dylan82]

Sorry if you have answered this question 100 times Dylan, but how does Hurn get a ranking of A++ yet NN gets A+ despite their relative position rankings? Is BP considered a more influential position than ruck?

The A, B, C etc rating is based upon the overall rating score of the player, regardless of position.

All the position types used [tall defender, small defender, tall forward, small forward, outside midfield, on-ball midfield and ruck] are weighted equally.


In the example you raised Hurn comes in 3rd among small defenders, but is 6th overall. His score of 18.205 [the lower, the better] qualifies into the highest possible rating bracket of A++.

Naitanui is 1st among rucks, but is 18th overall. His score of 30.738 equals the second highest rating bracket of A+.


What I have noticed with these ratings over time is that they tend to reflect the changes in how the game is being played. Over the past two seasons in particular the top ranking positions overall have been increasingly dominated by defenders, whilst forwards and rucks have generally slipped quite significantly - which correlates with the overtly defensive trend seen across the competition.

So indirectly, you are correct - defenders are effectively of greater influence than other positions, but that is a result of coaching tactics, rather than by any design in the rating system.


It will be interesting to see if things change accordingly in the profile of ratings as a result of the rule changes opening up play this season [Such changes may take some time to arise as the ratings take into account the previous 23 rounds of matches by players].

 

[Dylan82]

Hey Dylan, what would happen if you also named Nic an onball mid?

If classified as a midfielder, Naitanui would work out to a 'B' rating in the Onball category.

His figures in terms of metres gained particularly reduce his score for the position.

 

[The Passenger]

In the example you raised Hurn comes in 3rd among small defenders, but is 6th overall. His score of 18.205 [the lower, the better] qualifies into the highest possible rating bracket of A++.

Is this Hurn ranked 6th best player overall in the competition?

 

[Marlin01]

Thanks very much for the detailed response. This is fantastic data. It would be great to it put to some use that is beneficial to the game in the greater scheme.

 

[Dylan82]

Ratings updated from Round 2.


Naitanui breaks into the top 10 rankings overall and is on the verge of an A++ rating.

Whilst Gaff's poor start to the season sees his ranking blow out significantly.


Shuey's potential return boosts both the midfield and overall squad ratings substantially.

 

[Doashuey]

Ratings updated from Round 2.


Naitanui breaks into the top 10 rankings overall and is on the verge of an A++ rating.

Whilst Gaff's poor start to the season sees his ranking blow out significantly.


Shuey's potential return boosts both the midfield and overall squad ratings substantially.

So reading the tea leaves, you have Witho coming in for Cole and Shuey for Vardy?

 

[Dylan82]

So reading the tea leaves, you have Witho coming in for Cole and Shuey for Vardy?

Not exactly. That was more or less what would amount to the highest possible squad rating from available players (as Witherden's bright start to 2020 with Brisbane is keeping his current rating up).

I expect Witherden to be given time to gain form through the WAFL (and adapt to a different system) before assuming a first team place.

 

[Dylan82]

Squad Selection:

Round 3 (vs Port Adelaide Power @ Optus Stadium [Perth Stadium])



The captain makes long-awaited first appearance in 2021 and with him the midfield looks a lot stronger.

His return comes at the expense of O'Neill.

Petruccelle makes a surprise return in what amounts to be a revolving door with Langdon.

Brander makes his first senior match of the season in place of Vardy - it will be interesting to see how he is used.


Langdon gets the call as the injury substitute.

 

[Dylan82]

Ratings updated from Round 3.


Kelly, Allen and Sheed continue to improve, whilst there are mixed results elsewhere in the team.

Shuey's injury-riddled run to finish 2020 and start 2021 is now impacting his rating, despite his Round 3 heroics.


Elsewhere in the competition, J.Ridley has bolted up the rankings and T.Walker, with 17 goals in 3 matches, is now ranked second among tall forwards behind only T.Hawkins - at the start of the season he was ranked outside the top 100 players for that position.