TOPIC:

Beasley Hutton wrote:

Interestingly when I used to update the Free Kick Stats some years back on here I got scoffed at by some now bringing it up as an issue.
Also interestingly over the last 25 years or so the same 2 teams are constantly at the top of the free kick lists and the same for certain sides in the bottom 3 or 4.
I would suggest over 25+ years it is more than just a coincidence and more like a trend!!

CL- 166 (+32)
WP- 149 (+14)
EF- 143 (-6) *
SF- 134 (+14)
PT- 134 (-4)
EP- 132 (+30)
SU- 128 (-20) *
WC- 122 (-1)
PE- 120 (+3)
SD- 117 (-10)

* note EF & SU have played 1 extra game.

The classic was at Basso a few weeks back against WP where although Swans were leading by a couple of goals at the start of red time in the last qtr WP lead the free kicks 16 - 5 at that point!

BH interesting that Subi have been the dominant club this century and end up with the worst free kick ratio, coincidence or trend?
 

That's a good question SS. During the years we dominated, I'm not sure whether the players pushed the physical aspect of the game a bit too far or if there was an unconscious bias by the umps to bring us back to the pack. Probably a bit of both.

Certainly there was an agenda at play by the WAFC during the 2016 GF against the Dockers to make sure we didn't win 3 in a row and Peel saw some success from the alignment after being the whipping boys for so long. It was very clear the umps weren't officiating the same towards Subi as they were for Peel which saw a free kick count of 19 to 6 and we only received one or two after qtr time.

I couldn't make the game, but managed to last till half time with the TV coverage. EF were super slick, fast stronger at the contest, far more skilled compared to Subi who, whenever we managed to get a string of possessions going, inevitably stuffed up a disposal by hand or foot to let the Gummies in and they certainly made us pay. The big lad thats come in to replace Teakle is a very good ruckman who would walk in to any team in the comp, EF may be looking at losing another one come draft time. In saying that I thought Wagontrains competed really well but the EF guy was bigger and had way more class. We are tragically slow apart from guys like Robbins, the club needs to address that area before next season as there doesn't appear to be too many in the lower grades that can break the lines with pace, unlike Ef who are loaded with these sorts of players. If EF can get some consistency I see them finishing top 2 with EP. Could be an EP v EF which would be great for the comp.

Going to be a long season and we have no hope of making finals based on recent performances, so play as many kids as possible because we will likely lose several of the older guys, like Gus, Kitch, Sok and Locks. We have not been heavy on the recruiting in recent years, so maybe time to look at 3 or 4 key signings, Ruck, mids and defence in particular.

Frothy wrote:

I’ve been watching Subi for over 50 years, and I’m trying hard to recall a more insipid performance. Even thinking back to the late 70’s, I don’t recall them being this pathetic. Maybe I got used to it back then?
And I’m clearly not a fan of Berenger, but I’d say he could be the worst key defender the club has ever rolled out. Supported by rabble.

Right up there with this one Frothy -  WAFL FootyFacts - East Fremantle v Subiaco, Round R7, 1979
Lucky bill felt sorry for his old team and fucked around with his positions in the last qtr 

As someone who watched a lot of this type of game in the late 70’s and early 80’s this was indeed like De ja vu. Very disappointing to see the lack of intensity and the opposition basically doing what they liked for the first three quarters. Thought I was going to see a 100 point plus loss until Bill Monaghan invoked the mercy rule in the last quarter. Not sure where we go from here but time for some changes and see if some of those reserves and colts are up to it. Hate to say it but it seems this season is gone and we should start planning for the future. 

Freezin wrote:

BC, but you did say Subi spent most of the day jogging along side or behind the EF ball carrier mate.....pretty hard for the umps to ping any EF players for HTB, head high tackles or incorrect disposal with Subi being all lazy.... don't you think? 

But I agree, no free's in a half of footy, is certainly mind boggling...something I have never seen in 50 odd years of watching footy at any level mate.

If there is a discrepancy in free kicks it generally means the side dominating is first to the ball where most kicks are given and multiple forward entries creates chaos for defenders and get pinged holding or chopping.

So how does that explain that in Subi's domination of the comp this century, they invariably were on the wrong side of the free kick count despite regularly destroying the opposition.

Correct SS and 3 of the bottom 5 so far this season received more free kicks than they gave away.

I guess that/those stats support the argument that the umps don't win or ĺose games of footy.....only the players do.

Subi won many games despite receiving minimal help from the umps,  and three of the bottom 5 teams this year, have lost games despite getting the rub of the green from the umps.