How come we use percentage instead of point difference?

[frenchfri12]

I know they give the same result, but how come we use percentage while almost every other sport uses point difference?

 

[carnthedons]

I know they give the same result, but how come we use percentage while almost every other sport uses point difference?

A) They don't give the same result

B) shut up, that's why

 

[RightYouAreThen]

"real" differences as opposed to "proportional" differences. Scores can be affected by conditions (rain, ground etc) so % probably deemed to be fairer in a relatively high scoring sport (as compared to soccer, as an example)

 

[WatsamattaU]

I know they give the same result, but how come we use percentage while almost every other sport uses point difference?

They actually don't give the same result. For example, a team that wins 100-50 and a team that wins 150-75 will have the same % but different points difference.

I think points difference should be used as it's more intuitive.

 

[JohnnyFontane90]

they don't actually give the same result. but % actually favours defensive sides so there is an argument to be made the points differential is better for the game. but it's really splitting hairs.

 

[blue harvest]

INB4 Croweaters claim their percentage system is better.

 

[frenchfri12]

Ok so then why do we use percentage then?

 

[SpudsLoveChild]

Do they still teach maths in school

 

[carnthedons]

Do they still teach maths in school

Pretty sure they just teach how to use a calculator

 

[scotty13]

Pretty sure they just teach how to use a calculator

Calculator? Im pretty sure they just tell students to google the problem.

 

[Blackas87]

Ok so then why do we use percentage then?

Percentage allows for different style of play to be measured the same, an offensive team that wins 150-75 would be the same as a team playing a defensive style 60-30, both teams doubled their opponent so they are equal, this also allows for different weather conditions, when raining it's harder to score so it would be harder to get a larger point difference over a team playing in dry conditions, having % fixes this problem.

 

[Ichabod Noodle]

Ok so then why do we use percentage then?

I think it's because our scores are so much higher and so very different to other sports.
In soccer a blow-out thrashing is something like 5/6-0. In League it's 20 points.
In AFL 20 points is a reasonably close game.

It's also far more dependent on weather conditions, ground sizes etc etc. A team on Saturday might win comfortably at 75-34 in the wet, while a team on Sunday might win 148-102 in great conditions (in soccer the equivalent might be 2-0 and 5-3) - it's a whole different scale to what you get in other sports.

It's also a unique part of our game - why do you want us to be like everybody else?

 

[JohnnyFontane90]

i think % is the best indicator of how good a team is. at the end of the season it seems to be a better reflection of the quality of a team that W-L

 

[The Slitherin' Snake]

Why is percentage calculated as percentage as Points For / Points Against as opposed to Points For / Total Game Game
If you win round 1 with a score of 80-20, doesn't it make more sense for your % to be 80%, instead of 400%?

 

[carnthedons]

Why is percentage not calculated out of 100?
If you win round 1 with a score of 80-20, shouldn't your % be 80%, instead of 400%?

Percel you know wat to do

 

[DrEvil_]

They actually don't give the same result. For example, a team that wins 100-50 and a team that wins 150-75 will have the same % but different points difference.

I think points difference should be used as it's more intuitive.

To you maybe.

 

[Bonkers000]

Why is percentage not calculated out of 100?
If you win round 1 with a score of 80-20, shouldn't your % be 80%, instead of 400%?

Because 4X your opponents score is 400%

 

[DrEvil_]

Why is percentage not calculated out of 100?
If you win round 1 with a score of 80-20, shouldn't your % be 80%, instead of 400%?

That would make Freo look even worse.

 

[Mitchell Madness]

Why is percentage not calculated out of 100?
If you win round 1 with a score of 80-20, shouldn't your % be 80%, instead of 400%?

80/20x100

 

[gothecrows]

INB4 Croweaters claim their percentage system is better.

I prefer the AFL system, but when it really comes down to it, they do the same thing.

AFL is percentage of opposition's score, SANFL is percentage of total score. But since "total score" is made up of your score and the opposition's score, it doesn't change anything in terms of relative position.

If two games were played, with team A beating team B 100-50, and team C beating team D 150-100, the ladders would be:

AFL:
Team A - 4 points, 200%
Team C - 4 points 150%
Team D - 0 points 66%
Team B - 0 points 50%

SANFL:
Team A - 2 points, 66%
Team C - 2 points, 60%
Team D - 0 points, 40%
Team B - 0 points, 33%

If you used the SANFL system in AFL, it wouldn't change the ladder order in any circumstance - just the values.

 

[B4Bear]

Why is percentage not calculated out of 100?
If you win round 1 with a score of 80-20, shouldn't your % be 80%, instead of 400%?

Oh dear.

 

[Fat Nyfe]

A lot of basic maths fails in this thread

 

[Alexwce]

I prefer percentage. It shows how much of a bunch of flack track bullies WCE are.
In all seriousness they do not give the same result.

Good question nonetheless. Would be interesting to see why the AFL opted for percentage as opposed to points difference.

 

[Gydafud]

Can anyone be bothered to see how the ladder would look right now with points difference instead of %? Would it have significantly impacted any seasons historically?

 

[Wallaby]

A bit of (related) history.

Scottish Football used Goal average (same formula as our percentage) as their 'tiebreaker) up until 1971-72. In all those seasons, there was only one time when the champion would have been different had they used Goal Difference. In 1965, Kilmarnock defeated Hearts on Goal Average. If It had been Goal Difference, Hearts would have been champions.

In 1971-72, they changed to Goal Difference. Since then, in all those seasons, there was only one time when the champion would have been different had they used Goal Average. In 1986, Celtic won the Championship on Goal Difference. If they had used Goal Average, the Champions would have been....................Hearts.

Hearts last won the Championship in 1960. If you ever want to get beaten to death in an Edinburgh pub, you know what conversation to start.