Fyfe v Cripps
Sunday’s clash between Fremantle and Carlton at Domain Stadium pits two star midfielders from regional WA against each other.
Both Nat Fyfe (Lake Grace) and Carlton’s Patrick Cripps (Northampton) have been strong to start the season but, based on their high standards, are yet to hit their straps.
Fyfe has averaged 25.9 disposals per game in 2017 while Cripps is slightly higher with an average of 26.
Hills dynamic
Will Bradley Hill continue his form if brother Stephen makes his return against Carlton?
The younger of the Hill brothers has stepped up since Stephen’s absence after sustaining a hamstring injury against North Melbourne in round five.
Both Stephen and Bradley are averaging 25 disposals per game so far in 2017.
Bradley averaged 23 disposals per game up until Stephen’s injury and 28.3 since taking over as Freo’s premier wingman.
The difference is even more pronounced in metres gained. Bradley averaged just 393.7 metres gains per game up until round five and 600.9 metres gained per game since then.
A low scoring contest?
Carlton is the lowest scoring team so far in 2017, averaging just 72.6 points per game, while Fremantle’s defence has improved markedly since making significant changes after round two.
Fremantle conceded the most points in the league up until round two at an average of 130 per game, but has conceded just 85.3 points per game since round three.
Carlton’s short kicks
Carlton has averaged the third fewest disposals per game in the AFL but lead the competition for kicks - despite sitting fifth last for long kicks per game.
Instead, Carlton’s ball use is primarily via the short kick, averaging the most in the league and 13 more per game than Fremantle.
Fast finishers
Despite kicking just one goal in the last quarter against the Tigers, Fremantle tends to save the bulk of their scoring for later in the game.
Fremantle is averaging 30.5 points up to half time and 49.6 points per game after the main break.
Carlton’s scoring in 2017 is more even across the board, averaging 34.9 points in the opening half and 37.8 points in the second half.
