SCOTT Pendlebury has touched the ball more than any player this decade.

The Collingwood skipper has enjoyed a stunning 10 years, leading his side to the 2010 premiership while also winning a Norm Smith Medal, five best and fairests and being named in six All-Australian teams.

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But he has also won more disposals than any player in the competition throughout this period of individual domination.

Perhaps it should be of no surprise – his consistency is reflected in the fact he averaged 26.6 disposals per game in 2010 to start the decade, then 27.3 disposals per game in 2019 to finish it.

With help from Champion Data, here is the second in our three-part 'decade in review' series.

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THE BALL MAGNETS – MOST DISPOSALS THIS DECADE

6376 – Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood)
6252 – Josh Kennedy (Sydney)
5779 – Joel Selwood (Geelong)

Winning the most disposals of the decade is something to be proud of. Pendlebury has touched the ball more than any footballer throughout the 2010s. Having played 225 games throughout this time, it means he averaged 28.3 disposals per game throughout the decade. The most prolific of those seasons was in 2013, where he averaged 29.9 touches per match. A couple of other captains in Kennedy and Selwood follow him to round out the top three. 

THE CONTESTED KINGS – MOST CONTESTED POSSESSIONS THIS DECADE

3506 – Josh Kennedy (Sydney)
3256 – Patrick Dangerfield (Adelaide/Geelong)
2780 – Joel Selwood (Geelong)

Kennedy thrives in the contest, so it's no surprise to see him leading the contested possession count. Having emerged as one of the League's most dominant players, Dangerfield is the only player close to the Swans skipper over the last 10 years. His teammate and captain, Selwood, is a fair way behind. 

THE STOPPAGE SPECIALISTS – MOST CLEARANCES THIS DECADE

1587 – Josh Kennedy (Sydney)
1320 – Patrick Dangerfield (Adelaide/Geelong)
1294 – Joel Selwood (Geelong)

Kennedy is the leading extractor of the ball from stoppages over the decade, leading the clearance count by some margin. A constant threat in the contest, the Swans' skipper is fractionally ahead of two Cats in Dangerfield and Selwood.

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THE HARD NUTS – MOST TACKLES THIS DECADE

1262 – Matt Priddis (West Coast)
1252 – Josh Kennedy (Sydney)
1241 – Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood)

He might have retired in 2017 and subsequently not played in two seasons throughout the decade, but Priddis remains the top tackler of the last 10 years. The ferocious Eagles midfielder thrived when the going got tough, which was a key reason why he claimed the 2014 Brownlow Medal. One of the leading stoppage players of this generation, Kennedy is marginally behind him. Pendlebury rounds out the top three.

THE TAP MASTERS – MOST HITOUTS THIS DECADE

7389 – Todd Goldstein (North Melbourne)
6559 – Sam Jacobs (Carlton/Adelaide)
5498 – Shane Mumford (Geelong/Sydney/GWS Giants)

Goldstein is a clear leader for most hitouts throughout the decade. The 2015 All Australian has been one of the most dominant rucks of the last 10 years, reflected in this stat.  Jacobs is in second, while Mumford – despite his year out of the game in 2018 – is third.

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