Two games, one Giant leap?
The next two games will determine Greater Western Sydney's premiership credentials.
On Saturday, GWS plays last year's runner-up Sydney before heading to the MCG for the first time this season to play Richmond in round 18.
Win both and the Giants are going to be hard to beat, but right now they're only even money to do so.
The fact the Giants have been in front for 50 per cent of games indicates better than any other statistic how their season has gone.
Not only did GWS become the first team since Carlton in 1921 – and just the third in history – to play in two successive draws, but seven of its past 10 games have been decided by eight points or fewer.
History suggests that is enough reason alone to preach caution to those proclaiming the Giants over the line in the premiership race.
Hawthorn in 2016 and Geelong in 2014 exited the finals in straight sets after winning six games in the home and away season by fewer than 10 points.
Despite their close encounters, they are ranked top six in a range of statistical categories including disposals, contested possessions, uncontested possessions, inside 50s, scores per inside 50, points for and points against differential.
Only Hawthorn's 2014 and Geelong's 2011 premiership teams were ranked top six in each of those categories before holding up the cup.
The Giants are moving the ball much slower this year, ranked last for marking and playing on, and kicking forward less often.
They are beginning games more slowly too, rolling into the contest after finding themselves trailing at three-quarter time on seven occasions. Their record in such games is three wins, two losses and two draws.
The Giants have suffered injury after injury in 2017, with only six players playing every game and Brett Deledio (0 games in 2017), Stephen Coniglio (two games) and Ryan Griffen (three games) managing five games between them.
But Leon Cameron knows returning players won't help them put a gap in the opposition.
The Giants are, as he says, just going, but they remain well placed to launch their tilt at the flag now.
Beat the Swans and win at the MCG and the Giants will appear unstoppable.
| Top 10 teams | Past 10 games at the MCG (win-draw-loss) |
|---|---|
| Adelaide | 5-0-5 |
| GWS | 1-0-9 |
| Geelong | 5-0-5 |
| Port Adelaide | 5-1-4 |
| Melbourne | 4-0-6 |
| Richmond | 4-0-6 |
| St Kilda | 5-0-5 |
| Sydney | 6-0-4 |
| West Coast | 3-0-7 |
| Essendon | 5-0-5 |
Docker starts with a bag
Fremantle's Ryan Nyhuis became the 47th current player to have kicked a goal with his first kick in AFL football when he dobbed the Dockers' second goal against North Melbourne on Sunday.
Nyhuis' four-goal bag was the most goals by a player on debut since round one, 2012. That was when future Western Bulldogs' premiership player Clay Smith kicked four goals in his first game against West Coast.
Both Smith and Nyhuis were a long way off the record haul on debut. That's held by one John Coleman who booted 12 in round one, 1949.
Surely not?! Ryan Nyhuis with a third goal on debut - and this is the best of the lot! #AFLNorthFreo pic.twitter.com/D3AlDsn6a3
— AFL (@AFL) 9 July 2017
Tigers dig a first-half hole
The Tigers' debacle against the Saints saw them record the biggest half-time deficit since St Kilda led a fledgling Greater Western Sydney side by 93 points at half-time in round 22, 2012.
The 82-point deficit was Richmond's biggest at half-time since round six, 2007 when the Cats tore the hapless Tigers apart to lead by 107 points at the long break. Richmond also trailed Adelaide by 84 points at Football Park in round 17, 1997.
Only two of the 20 teams to have faced half-time deficits larger than Richmond's went on to make the finals.
Melbourne made a preliminary final in 1998 after trailing Geelong by 84 points at half time in round 12 that season. North Melbourne made a semi-final in 1985 after trailing eventual premier Essendon at the long break by 100 points at Windy Hill.
Hawk takes flight
Four free kicks were paid when players ran too far in round 16. It's the highest number paid in one weekend since round 21, 2015.
Perhaps that's why Geelong forward Tom Hawkins has gone on a bouncing frenzy. Tomahawk recorded his second bounce for the season on Saturday against the Brisbane Lions. He's now doubled his bounce tally in 203 games to a grand total of four.
The numbers that show Hodge got better every minute
Hawk champion and four-time premiership player Luke Hodge has racked up 6726 disposals in the 29,217 minutes he's spent on the ground during his 299 games with the Hawks.
• Hawk legend to call it quits
That equates to a touch every 4.34 minutes on the field, and he's picked up more disposals as the games have gone on.
Want more?
• Read more from the Stats Files
• The Run Home: your club's road to September
