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The best defender matchup in the round. Western Bulldogs rank 1st for defender concede at +13.1% — kicks at +13.3% (1st), marks at +26.3% (1st) and tackles at +5.8% (4th) are all significant positives. Daniel’s intercept and disposal game suits both the kick and mark positives directly.
GWS rank 5th for defender concede at +4.2% — kicks at +3.6% (6th), handballs at +12.4% (2nd) and marks at +3.7% (8th) are genuine positives. The highest prediction in the defender group.
Geelong rank 8th for defender concede at +2.4% — handballs at +13.9% (1st) and tackles at +11.5% (1st) are the standout positives. Roberts’s aggressive forward-pressing game suits both headline positives directly. Marks at -7.5% (13th) is the one notable negative.
West Coast rank 9th for defender concede at -0.1% — effectively neutral overall. Tackles at +7.1% (2nd) and goals at +51.1% (1st) are the standout positives. Eagles concede the most goals to opposition defenders in the competition. Kicks at -0.5% (10th) is neutral. A positive draw when you look beyond the headline number.
Carlton rank 12th for defender concede at -3.3% — kicks at -1.5% (11th), handballs at -6.7% (15th) and marks at -7.7% (14th) are all negatives. Tackles at +1.9% (11th) is mild. Selected entirely on average quality — the Blues draw is a genuine headwind.
Hawthorn rank 11th for defender concede at -3.2% — a mild headwind. Kicks at -3.2% (12th) and marks at -8.9% (15th) are negatives. Tackles at +6.7% (3rd) is the genuine positive for Zorko’s defensive pressure game. Selected on average quality.
Gold Coast rank 17th for defender concede at -6.8% — a significant headwind. Kicks at -7.2% (16th) and marks at -12.7% (17th) are heavy negatives. Tackles at +2.1% (9th) is the one positive. Selected on average quality — the Suns draw is a genuine concern this week.
The best midfielder matchup of the round and the highest prediction in the squad. Essendon rank 1st for midfielder concede at +8.5% — kicks at +8.3% (1st), handballs at +5.6% (1st) and marks at +36.9% (1st) across every disposal stat. Goals at +18.0% (5th) also positive. A lock.
West Coast rank 3rd for midfielder concede at +4.0% — kicks at +3.8% (4th), marks at +8.5% (5th), tackles at +4.0% (7th) and goals at +28.5% (4th) are all genuine positives. No tag this week — clean entry in a positive draw. The highest average in the squad.
Richmond rank 9th for midfielder concede at +0.1% — effectively neutral. Marks at +15.1% (2nd) is the standout positive. A broadly neutral draw with one significant positive. Selected on average quality.
Hawthorn rank 5th for midfielder concede at +1.7% — tackles at +24.6% (1st) is extraordinary. The Hawks concede more tackles to opposition midfielders than any team in the competition. Ashcroft’s contested game suits this directly. Handballs at -6.9% (18th) is the notable negative.
Shares the Hawks draw with Ashcroft — same 5th-ranked concede at +1.7%, tackles +24.6% (1st). Two Lions midfielders in a genuinely positive draw. Neale’s CBA dominance makes the tackle positive directly relevant.
Port Adelaide rank 16th for midfielder concede at -2.6% — a genuine headwind. Kicks at -3.1% (16th) and marks at -10.4% (14th) are the notable negatives. Handballs at +3.6% (4th) is the one positive. Selected on average quality over matchup.
Geelong rank 12th for midfielder concede at -1.2% — a mild negative. Tackles at +8.1% (3rd) is the genuine positive for Merrett’s high-tackle output. Marks at -7.8% (13th) and goals at -22.9% (14th) are the negatives. Selected on average quality.
The best ruck draw of the round. Western Bulldogs rank 4th for ruck concede at +13.2% — tackles at +21.6% (2nd) and goals at +58.6% (4th) are extraordinary positives. Xerri’s dominant ruck role suits both headline positives directly.
West Coast rank 5th for ruck concede at +8.3% — tackles at +28.0% (1st) is extraordinary, the most tackles conceded to opposition rucks in the competition. Handballs at +10.2% (3rd) is also a genuine positive. Kicks at +0.4% (9th) is neutral. Cameron’s all-round ruck game suits the tackle and handball positives directly.
Playing as a forward in his primary position. Western Bulldogs rank 6th for forward concede at +2.1% — kicks at +3.9% (5th) and marks at +3.4% (7th) are genuine positives. A positive draw with significant ceiling upside given his season average.
The best forward draw in the squad. Richmond rank 1st for forward concede at +11.1% — kicks at +10.5% (1st), handballs at +10.0% (1st) and marks at +18.4% (1st). Every key stat is at the top of the competition. Rankine’s goal-kicking forward game suits every positive directly.
Carlton rank 4th for forward concede at +3.0% — goals at +10.8% (3rd) and handballs at +2.1% (7th) are genuine positives. A solid draw for Hill’s forward-defensive hybrid game.
Essendon rank 2nd for forward concede at +6.0% — kicks at +6.5% (2nd), marks at +14.7% (2nd) and goals at +14.1% (1st) are all significant positives. A comprehensive positive draw for Miers’s goal-kicking game.
Fremantle rank 16th for forward concede at -6.2% — the toughest forward draw in the squad. Kicks at -10.0% (18th) and goals at -19.7% (18th) are very heavy negatives. Handballs at +4.9% (2nd) and tackles at +5.9% (6th) are the bright spots. Selected on average quality — the Dockers draw is a significant concern.
Gold Coast rank 5th for forward concede at +2.3% — kicks at +2.3% (6th), tackles at +6.2% (4th) and goals at +4.8% (6th) are genuine positives. A well-rounded positive draw for Greene’s contested forward game.
Shares the Blues draw with Bradley Hill — same 4th-ranked forward concede at +3.0%, goals +10.8% (3rd). Two Saints forwards benefiting from Carlton’s exploitable forward record.
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