| Key stat | League rank | |
| Tackles per game | 58.5% | 16th |
| Set shot accuracy | 57.7% | 15th |
| Disposal efficiency in forward half | 63.6% | 15th |
THE CURE The Crows have taken steps to address both their tackling and goal kicking by bringing in rugby coaches to help with both. Although the technique for kicking goals is obviously vastly different for both sports, the mental side of it remains the same and that's where the club hopes its rugby expert can help. The loss of Taylor Walker and then Josh Jenkins robbed midfielders of clear targets to kick to last season, which resulted in hesitation and a little confusion when going forward. The inclusion of James Podsiadly (pictured) and Eddie Betts should help in that area, as will the return of Jenkins and Walker. – Harry Thring
Brisbane Lions
| Key stat | League rank | |
| % of turnovers punished by score | 24.6% | 15th |
| Contested possession differential | -7.2 | 16th |
| Clearance winning % | 38.8% | 15th |
THE CURE Plain and simple, the Lions have trouble winning the ball. The numbers for clearance win percentage (15th) and contested possession differential (16th) don't befit the talented midfield they have. In Matthew Leuenberger, they have not only one of the most talented ruckmen in the League, but one of the most prolific in hit-outs (fourth overall last season). However, with champion Simon Black retired, the onus falls squarely on the shoulders of Jack Redden, Tom Rockliff (pictured), Daniel Rich and Brent Moloney to lift their clearance output. – Michael Whiting
Carlton
| Key stat | League rank | |
| Uncontested possession differential | -14.0 | 14th |
| Disposal efficiency | 70.6% | 15th |
| Set shot accuracy | 57.0% | 16th |
THE CURE Following the Blues' season-ending semi-final loss to the Sydney Swans, coach Mick Malthouse lamented his team's lack of run, not just in that game but over the season in general. They have moved decisively to address this issue by luring ex-Collingwood game-breaker Dale Thomas, former Lion Sam Docherty and ex-Swan utility Andrejs Everitt, each of whom will add depth, quality and running power to a midfield that was in desperate need of a makeover. The Blues' poor disposal efficiency could be as much a result of Malthouse's preference for taking longer options as poor execution. And even in the coach's glory days at Collingwood, his teams suffered poor conversion rates, possibly because his hug-the-boundary style results in more shots from the perimeter than the corridor. – Ben Collins
Good stats: Take a look at our special on what worked at your club in 2013
Collingwood
| Key stat | League rank | |
| Set shot accuracy | 56.9% | Equal 17th |
| Hit out differential | -6.9 | 16th |
| % of centre clearances leading to score | 21.5% | 16th |
THE CURE As tempting as it is to lay the blame for inaccuracy in front of goal at the feet of Travis Cloke, he is not the only culprit. His accuracy percentage was 57 percent (without taking into account kicks out on the full), which was better than Dane Swan (21 goals at 50 percent) and Quinten Lynch (nine goals at 47 percent). It also reflects taking shots too far out that are rushed. The Magpies have employed ex-Lion and Hawk Nathan Chapman to fix their goalkicking woes. Collingwood conceded hitouts without Darren Jolly and struggled to win centre clearances with Dayne Beams out injured and Luke Ball taking time to get going after a knee reconstruction. Grundy will improve in the ruck and should get more support from Jarrod Witts. Beams, Ball, Taylor Adams, Jarryd Blair and Josh Thomas are formidable inside players so the Magpies ball winning ability at ground level should be as good as any team. The challenge is getting the group to gel. – Peter Ryan
Essendon
| Key stat | League rank | |
| Points from clearances differential | -9.1 | 16th |
| Contested possession differential | -3.0 | 15th |
| Offensive one-on-ones winning % | 25.9% | 16th |
THE CURE The structure of the forward line at Essendon needs a revamp, considering the wealth of inside-50 entries last season but incapacity to have a functioning attack. New assistant coach Nathan Bassett has taken over the job as forwards coach, replacing Matthew Egan who has moved to the defensive group. That might see some different strategies implemented to convert clearances to scores and win more offensive one-on-one battles. – Callum Twomey
Fremantle
| Key stat | League rank | |
| Points from kick-in per game | 3.4 | 18th |
| Inside 50s per game | 48.0 | 15th |
| Offensive one-on-ones winning % | 26.5% | 14th |
THE CURE These "bad stats" for the Dockers are a little misleading because they actually reflect a couple of their strengths. Firstly, the points from kick-ins per game is not a percentage of scoring per kick-in, instead it's just an average total per game. It doesn't take into account the fact that Dockers conceded just nine behinds or fewer in 11 games in 2013 and just four behinds in three separate matches. It's tough to score points from kick-ins when you don't have many kick-ins. Being 15th for inside 50s is also a little misleading. The Dockers were the lowest scoring team of the top 11 clubs at the end of the home and away season, which is why they are 15th for inside 50s and it is something that Ross Lyon identified mid-year. But they do tend to lock the football inside 50 rather than allow rebounds and gain re-entries, hence they are ranked third for goals per inside 50 entry. Offensive one-on-one wins are a clear deficiency for the Dockers. They do lack tall marking options up forward and don't tend to kick to one-on-one contests, as they are number one in the league for uncontested marks. The fitness of Matthew Pavlich, the recruitment of Scott Gumbleton (pictured) and perhaps the move of Nat Fyfe forward more often may improve this statistic. – Alex Malcolm
Geelong
| Key stat | League rank | |
| Centre clearance success % | 40.3% | 17th |
| Clearance differential | -4.4 | 17th |
| Running bounces (total) | 135 | 18th |
THE CURE As was mentioned two days ago, the Cats conceded a lot of clearances during the 2013 season, and they did not view this as being a major problem, such was the players' ability to quickly win the ball back. It is intriguing that a team as good as Geelong was ranked 18th in any category last season, but they had the least running bounces of any side in the competition. This was in part because the Cats became a team that liked to move the ball with accurate kicks and handpasses, rather than having it carried for long distances down the ground by one player. – Adam McNicol
Gold Coast
| Key stat | League rank | |
| Time in forward half differential | -3:28 | 16th |
| Contested marks per game | 9.6 | 16th |
| Uncontested possession differential | -22.9 | 16th |
THE CURE In a way, the three "bad stats" for Gold Coast are all intrinsically linked. They don't win enough uncontested ball (16th), which means they don't get it into the forward 50 as often (16th) which means they don't take as many contested marks (16th). The Suns have – deliberately – tried to learn a contested brand of footy during the first few years of their existence. This has been a valuable learning phase and made them an increasingly difficult team to beat, but it has also led to them getting sucked to the footy and not spreading as quickly as savvy, more experienced opponents. The likes of Dion Prestia, David Swallow and Jaeger O'Meara love to the hunt the footy, and as each player learns their role more, they will get more uncontested footy and give their young forwards more one-on-one chances in dangerous areas. Like most things with the Suns, it's just experience and time that should rectify these problems. – Michael Whiting
Greater Western Sydney
| Key stat | League rank | |
| Inside 50 differential | -19.9 | 18th |
| Opposition score per inside 50 % | 58.5% | 18th |
| Intercepts leading to score | 17.6% | 17th |
THE CURE For a young side that struggled to get hold of the ball and hang onto it for large periods of time, none of the above statistics are unexpected. When opposition sides would get a run on in the second half of games as the young Giants tired, it would lead to a glut of inside 50s. An undermanned backline, missing Phil Davis and Chad Cornes for the majority of 2013, also found it difficult to contain their opponents' attacking options whenever the ball did make it inside 50. But there is reason for optimism that the Giants won't be the cellar dwellers in these categories for too much longer. Shane Mumford's arrival in the ruck should give enormous help to Jonathan Giles and ensure GWS far more first use of the ball and therefore more inside 50s. With the wily heads of Josh Hunt and Heath Shaw now in the backline alongside youngsters Davis, Tim Mohr, Adam Kennedy and Curtly Hampton, they should also find it a lot easier to reduce the opposition's scoring impact in 2014. – James Dampney
Hawthorn
| Key stat | League rank | |
| Clearance differential | -0.8 | 13th |
| Throw-in clearance winning % | 37.3% | 15th |
| Hard ball get differential | -5.0 | 15th |
THE CURE The Hawks are more concerned with scores from clearances than clearances alone, but for a team that prides itself on winning the hard ball, these stats have room for improvement. The simple answer may lie in returning Sam Mitchell (pictured below with Luke Hodge) to a more permanent midfield position, given he spent much of last season at half-back. A better long-term solution though, is to continue rotating younger players through the stoppages, with an expectation that they will improve with experience and opportunity. – Mark Macgugan
Melbourne
| Key stat | League rank | |
| Tackles per game | 58.6 | 15th |
| One-on-one contest winning % | 25.6% | 14th |
| Hit out winning % | 39.1% | 15th |
THE CURE Throughout last year, senior coaches Mark Neeld and Neil Craig talked about the need for Melbourne players to be more physical and competitive. Melbourne's tackle count was disappointing for much of 2013 – indeed, dreadful in some games. That can't happen under Paul Roos. With the strengthening of the club's development program, players will be taught to become more competitive. Mark Jamar's inclusion (if he can stay healthy) should have a positive effect on the club's hit-out stats. The continued development of Max Gawn and Jake Spencer should also help. – Ben Guthrie
North Melbourne
| Key stat | League rank | |
| Tackles per game | 58.6 | 15th |
| One-on-one contest winning % | 25.6% | 14th |
| Hit out winning % | 39.1% | 15th |
THE CURE North has identified tackling as one of its biggest focuses this pre-season. Renowned tackling coach John Donehue was appointed in October to help address this problem area and should help the Roos stick more tackles in 2014. The hit-out statistic is an interesting one given Todd Goldstein established himself as one of the best ruckmen in the competition last season. Goldstein ranked second in the AFL for total hit-outs in 2013, so perhaps it's time North gave him more support. That could mean bringing in Daniel Currie as a second ruckman, or sending one of their tall forwards into the ruck more often. Majak Daw would seem best suited to the latter role. – Nick Bowen
Port Adelaide
| Key stat | League rank | |
| Kicking efficiency | 62.6% | 18th |
| Contested marks per game | 9.0 | 17th |
| Effective long kick differential | -8.7 | 18th |
THE CURE There's no quick fix when it comes to kicking efficiency and mistakes will be made when Ken Hinkley calls for his players to be brave when in possession. But the ship is turning and we saw far fewer comical turnovers in 2013 than were unfortunately on display the year before. The specific aim by the club to draft and develop key position players will, Port hopes, see the side take more contested marks too. New recruit Mitch Harvey is a while off from playing senior football, but the Power are excited with Mason Shaw's talent and at 197cm he's certainly capable of clunking big grabs. When John Butcher (pictured) is firing he's also a solid target to kick to. – Harry Thring
Richmond
| Key stat | League rank | |
| Tackles per game | 55.9 per game | 18th |
| Scoring accuracy | 57.0% | 13th |
| Hit out winning % | 39.2% | 15th |
THE CURE The elimination final loss to Carlton highlighted the Tigers' deficiencies in the midfield, losing the hit-outs (37-52) and clearances (38-49). Lifting their hit-out win percentage must be a priority, and the recruitment of Shaun Hampson should help. The former Carlton ruckman will ease the load on Ivan Maric allowing the latter, in theory, to operate more efficiently. Richmond is a low stoppage team, which explains in part its overall tackle ranking of 18th. Its ground-level midfielders need to get better at winning first use, however, with Trent Cotchin lacking support in 2013. Dustin Martin (58 clearances in 2013), Reece Conca (48), Brandon Ellis (29) and Nick Vlastuin (21) would all be expected to improve their inside game in 2014. – Nathan Schmook
Good stats: Take a look at our special on what worked at your club in 2013
St Kilda
| Key stat | League rank | |
| Goals per inside 50 | 24.6% | 17th |
| Opposition uncontested marks per game | 89.9 | 18th |
| Inside 50s per game | 46.4 | 16th |
THE CURE The Saints' backline issues, headlined by injuries to Sam Fisher, Sam Gilbert, James Gwilt and Sean Dempster during 2013, no doubt contributed to the opposition's uncontested marks. The recruitment of Luke Delaney and Josh Bruce, plus the return to fitness for those four defenders, will help in that area. Their strong focus on picking up midfielders such as Shane Savage and the three draftees – Jack Billings, Luke Dunstan and Blake Acres – plus rookies Maverick Weller and Eli Templeton, will increase their depth and hopefully carry the ball inside 50 more often, despite the loss of Nick Dal Santo. And, once it gets there, they'll be looking for an increase in forward pressure to lock the ball in and provide a spike in the area of goals per inside 50. Tom Lee has another pre-season under his belt and Adam Schneider has shed weight and is looking for a big season, which will help out focal point Nick Riewoldt. – Jennifer Phelan
Sydney Swans
| Key stat | League rank | |
| Kicking efficiency | 62.8% | 17th |
| Marks per game | 70.9 | 18th |
| Intercepts leading to score | 21.0% | 13th |
THE CURE It is somewhat of a surprise that the Swans were ranked so lowly in kicking efficiency last season. It had been a clear focus the previous year under coach John Longmire and was a key element in their march to the 2012 flag. But five debutants and a host of injuries to key personnel would have led to a reduction in that area and they will be intent on righting that stat this coming year. Significant injuries to some of their talls and main marking targets, including Adam Goodes, Sam Reid and Lewis Roberts-Thomson, would also have affected their performance in that regard. But with all three expected to return this year, plus a full season from Kurt Tippett and the arrival of Lance Franklin (pictured), means the Swans would be expected to well and truly lift themselves off the bottom in that statistic in 2014. – James Dampney
West Coast
| Key stat | League rank | |
| Disposal efficiency | 70.5% | 17th |
| Uncontested possession differential | -14.7 | 15th |
| % of intercepts leading to score | 21.5 | 12th |
THE CURE These stats won't surprise any Eagles supporters. They have been eternally frustrated with a number of these issues, even going to back to their premiership year in 2006. Disposal efficiency and intercepts leading to scores are linked together as the Eagles rank among the worst teams in the AFL for hitting targets. It has been remarkable for a team with such dominant power forwards in Josh Kennedy and Jack Darling that foot skills has not been a high priority. New coach Adam Simpson will bring a change in these areas having come from Hawthorn where there is a premium placed on hitting targets by foot. A focus on hitting targets by foot and improving skills under pressure has been evident in early pre-season training. Simpson will also improve the uncontested possession count because he will emphasise sharing the ball around. When teams hit targets they tend to gather a lot more uncontested possessions. That will mean less long kicking and more run and spread. – Alex Malcolm
Western Bulldogs
| Key stat | League rank | |
| Score from turnover points differential | -10.2 | 15th |
| Scoring % per inside 50 | 45.6% | 18th |
| Marks inside 50 | 10.1 | Equal 18th |
THE CURE Hitting targets will be a major focus this pre-season. The Dogs found the footy last year, but turned it over too often. The Dogs' dodgy forward line was another well-documented issue last season, hence the recruitment of former Bomber Stewart Crameri. The Dogs will be hoping Crameri can strike a solid forward partnership with Liam Jones and the pair can work to improve efficiency inside 50 in 2014. – Jacqui Reed
