GVL Data | Echuca goal-kicking proves the difference

By Matthew Kappos

Jul 16, 2024

Echuca earned a routine win over Seymour, but the statistics indicate a closer game than the scoreline suggests. Photo: Aidan Briggs Photo by Aidan Briggs

The Murray Bombers continued their jaunt through the Goulburn Valley League with a 33-point win over Seymour at the weekend.

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However, digging into the stats, it’s tough to see where, aside from the scoreboard, the champions were on top.

Echuca lost many of the yardstick metrics one would usually use to determine who was on top of the game.

The Murray Bombers trailed in the disposal count (348 to 353) and the clearance count (39 to 46), while only managing to tie the Lions when it came to inside 50s.

Echuca did log more rebound-50s (35 to 29), but even that comes directly from the premier’s higher scoring shot count.

Additionally, Echuca disposed of the ball less efficiently than Seymour (66 per cent to 71 per cent) and used the ball less effectively when it came away with a clearance (62 per cent to 65 per cent).

The Murray Bombers’ strength in the air did lead to a big advantage in the hit-out count (58 to 36), but despite more than 20 more opportunities, the Echuca talls were only able to direct the hit-out to advantage on one more occasion over the course of the game (9 to 8).

All these stats tell the tale of a much closer contest than the 33-point margin on Saturday, with Seymour likely slightly ahead on paper.

But that wasn’t the result at Victoria Park and it all comes down to the most important measure determining who wins a football game; the scoreboard.

Echuca made more inroads towards goal when it got within forward 50, leading the Lions 19-16 in scoring shots.

Combine this with the fact that the Murray Bombers outclassed Seymour in goal accuracy as well, kicking 14.5 to their opponent’s 8.8, and suddenly the scoreline looks a lot better than the balance of play suggests.

It’s a possible warning sign for Echuca.

Given Seymour is placed in the bottom third, the Lions are hardly the team the champion wants to go 50-50 with.

The Murray Bombers were missing a number of key players, including regular ranking points beasts Kane Morris and Liam Tenace, but the issue remains one to watch as the champions continue on their run home.