You'll never guess what the 2021 free kick differential chart looks like

[The 747]

4th time in the past 6 seasons the dogs have won this count

Very interesting

Not really, historically the Dogs have always done well on free kicks, it is not a new thing:

AFL Tables - Free Kicks

 

[puppaC]

Oh yes the umpires have been doing everything they can to appease the powerhouse of the AFL- the western bulldogs.
The fact that we have consistently been near the top of the differential for a few years now shows that we are a more disciplined team, it’s a big focus from a coaching point and we don’t give obvious ones away very often.

I get umpires suck but to suggest they are favouring us on purpose is just wrong. Now maybe they know subconsciously we are more disciplined than most teams/ don’t give obvious ones away as much- and that helps us a bit. But to act like it’s a big conspiracy is idiotic.

 

[Alesana]

Yeah to be honest I have no idea the reason, but the statistics are insane

To put it into perspective, the Dogs have lost the free kick count just 35 times in their past 133 games, essentially 1 in 4 games

How many times should they have lost the free kick count?

 

[DeezNuts]

How many times should they have lost the free kick count?

Never said they should have won/lost a certain amount, it’s just an incredible outlier to lose a 50/50 statistic 26% of the time over a huge sample space

Not sure why you seem to be getting defensive, I’ve literally said nothing subjective at all

 

[Alesana]

Never said they should have won/lost a certain amount, it’s just an incredible outlier to lose a 50/50 statistic 26% of the time over a huge sample space

Not sure why you seem to be getting defensive, I’ve literally said nothing subjective at all

I just asked how many times they should have lost
Not sure how it's a 50/50 statistic either, certain gamestyles are going to result in more frees paid against than others. It would be more concerning if the numbers were actually even.

 

[DeezNuts]

I just asked how many times they should have lost
Not sure how it's a 50/50 statistic either, certain gamestyles are going to result in more frees paid against than others. It would be more concerning if the numbers were actually even.

I’m not sure gamestyle is a huge correlating factor like you say

For example Westcoast has had a net positive free kick counts every year for the past 20 seasons

It’s not like you’ve had a consistent gamestyle for 20 years

 

[Big Crow]

Without checking the stats, anecdotally it felt like the best we’ve done from the umps in years.

Certainly wouldn’t expect this treatment when we’re in finals/flag contention.

 

[Alesana]

I’m not sure gamestyle is a huge correlating factor like you say

For example Westcoast has had a net positive free kick counts every year for the past 20 seasons

It’s not like you’ve had a consistent gamestyle for 20 years

Net free kick counts are completely pointless if you don't have a count of the free kicks missed and the incorrectly paid free kicks. It's like judging teams' accuracy by looking only at the number of behinds they kicked.

 

[DeezNuts]

Net free kick counts are completely pointless if you don't have a count of the free kicks missed and the incorrectly paid free kicks. It's like judging teams' accuracy by looking only at the number of behinds they kicked.

Pointless in what?

Again I’ve made no comments on the reasons why these statistic anomalies are occurring at both West Coast and the Dogs exclusively, just specifically said the stats were interesting

But you’re adamant they’re not and there’s nothing to see here

 

[minidee]

Always knew Richmond were nothing without the umpires.

Confirmed

Yeah nah, going backwards from this year through to 2017, Richmond's freekick differential ladder position has been 2021-18th, 2020-15th, 2019-7th, 2018-18th and 2017-18th.
Definitely no help from the umpires...

 

[Tzatziki_Man]

No secret that teams need to play on the edge.

Hawthorn was down the bottom of the free kick count during their years on top and now the last five years has been the 'unsociable' tigers - aka 3x Premiers.

Since the stat of free kick differential began being recorded in 1961, guess which team is last on the ladder for free kicks recieved and first for free kicks given?

Hawthorn


Since 1961, who is the most successful premiership winning team? Sorry Geelong supporters

If you're getting to many free kicks, you're usually PLAYING for the free kicks, not playing with the intensity required to win the premiership

 

[DieSwans]

Yeah nah, going backwards from this year through to 2017, Richmond's freekick differential ladder position has been 2021-18th, 2020-15th, 2019-7th, 2018-18th and 2017-18th.
Definitely no help from the umpires...

Okay, big boy

 

[Holy Rioli]

Very glad other non-Swans fans saw it too because I was fuming that day, still am to be honest.

It wasn't just that game.. They got a free ride the whole finals series. I hate Sydney - more so at the time because of our rivalry, Buddy etc...but even I was pissed off at that GF when I initially wanted the doggies to win.

 

[SBD Gonzalez]

Wow, what a surprise the OP is a Swans supporter. This may make you feel better about it View attachment 1214382

Hook, line and sinker.

 

[Blind Turn]

These graphs/stats would only mean anything if they also took into account the free-kicks not received that were blatant and the free kicks not given against that should’ve been.

 

[Pedantic]

Bump

 

[Some Idiot]

I’m not sure gamestyle is a huge correlating factor like you say

For example Westcoast has had a net positive free kick counts every year for the past 20 seasons

It’s not like you’ve had a consistent gamestyle for 20 years

They usually get a few extra frees from their vocal home crowd - everyone's pretty aware of that. Unfortunately umpires are only human and they are prone to getting swayed by the crowd occasionally.

 

[Veer Right]

Not surprised to see the saints at -40, year after year we get reamed. Bulldogs at 90+ .... given a free ride by their best mates and their supporters have no shame about it.

 

[Tulip]

Its pretty farcical really.

 

[ashep]

Doggies up to +87 for the year.

Has Gil mentioned anything about a pitch invasion when they reach the ton?

 

[craffles]

Hunter, Macrae, Treloar and Weightman are serial pests with the old Selwood drop the knees or lift the arm. Whilst umpiring wasn't the difference today it was farcicial to see how many were paid and even bigger joke that dogs fans can claim their differential is because of discipline.

Nup it's.because the players are coached to accentuate impact to earn free kicks

 

[Some Idiot]

Free kick differential for most of AFL history has a strong negative correlation with winning the flag, why do people even care?

 

[maddog37]

Doggies up to +87 for the year.

Has Gil mentioned anything about a pitch invasion when they reach the ton?

Enjoy the off season.

 

[Gysberts2Bate]

Nah the Dogs are just so disciplined though

 

[CarnTheScray]

Hunter, Macrae, Treloar and Weightman are serial pests with the old Selwood drop the knees or lift the arm. Whilst umpiring wasn't the difference today it was farcicial to see how many were paid and even bigger joke that dogs fans can claim their differential is because of discipline.

Nup it's.because the players are coached to accentuate impact to earn free kicks

Love it.

Don't delete anything! I need this stuff saved for the end of year salt thread.