With 7 matches during 2014 where we have scored 51 or less points it's apparent we are having more trouble scoring this season than any time in recent memory so I went through the records to check and found a few interesting facts.

1. We have yet to kick a century this year (best was 14.7.91 V Richmond.

The last time we failed to kick a century during a season was 1953.

2. Our average score per match this season is 61.2 points.

This is our worst since 1920 when we averaged 58.8 points during a 5 win 11 loss season.

3. Our leading goal scorer this season is Chris Dawes with just 16.

Since 1920 the lowest winning tally was 20 by Barrie Vagg in 1966

The silver lining is our Average points against this season. At 83.8 points per game this is the best since 1971 when we conceded 81.4 points per game during a 11 and a half win season.

Considering we reached the finals 12 times since 1971 our defence is holding up well.

Nice analysis, thanks.

Surely we will kick over 100 against Brisbane or GWS

I'm not overly concerned about the low scoring this season. Roos' job was to stem the bleeding first and foremost. He's made reasonable ground on that objective.

If we are scoring an average of 61.2 a game NEXT season, then I'll start to worry.

I'm not concerned one little bit about our scoring. That it was comes last, most afl coaches (I've heard bomber on AFL 360) say that you must learn to defend before you can attack and attack is the last piece to the puzzle...

Look at north melbourne what's the point in scoring if you can't defend well, that's why there such an up & down side because sides can score easily against them and once they have a run on its hard to stop.

As roos said ion FC last night, they've just started to introduce ball movement going forward the last 2 weeks.

You can't do what neeld did and come in and say "when we have the ball do this and we don't have it do this" it confuses the players. Best way to teach is the fundamental of the modern game is defending and once they have grasped that concept you can move onto bringing in the attacking part of the game.

Edited July 22, 201411 yr by JV7

It has been said - get the defensive side of the game right first. It shouldn't be one or the other but with two way running, you can see that the boys are working hard to get back defensively but are still a bit shy in running off offensively to create. You can also see that unlike the best teams we are also a bit reticent to pull the trigger quickly for fear of turning it over. We have either been too slow or bomb to quickly to a 3 on 1. I am confident this will turn.

Our defence has done remarkably well. Last week, I recall the 'against' column being below 1000. Our defence is top 8 material; and we have done it without Frawley.

But our defensive figures are more amazing when you consider our D/E grade offence and turnovers with the ball.

Maybe our defence, on this year's figures, considering other factors, is actually top 4.

Credit to Roos, Dunn, McDonald, and the backline assistant coach...who is....? Maybe he should take over from Roos in 2 years.

With 7 matches during 2014 where we have scored 51 or less points it's apparent we are having more trouble scoring this season than any time in recent memory so I went through the records to check and found a few interesting facts.

1. We have yet to kick a century this year (best was 14.7.91 V Richmond.

The last time we failed to kick a century during a season was 1953.

2. Our average score per match this season is 61.2 points.

This is our worst since 1920 when we averaged 58.8 points during a 5 win 11 loss season.

3. Our leading goal scorer this season is Chris Dawes with just 16.

Since 1920 the lowest winning tally was 20 by Barrie Vagg in 1966

The silver lining is our Average points against this season. At 83.8 points per game this is the best since 1971 when we conceded 81.4 points per game during a 11 and a half win season.

Considering we reached the finals 12 times since 1971 our defence is holding up well.

Welcome to the nuthouse!

Mitch Clark 2014 Games 0 2014 Goals 0

Jesse Hogan 2014 Games 0 2014 Goals 0

nuffsaid

Mitch Clark 2014 Games 0 2014 Goals 0

Jesse Hogan 2014 Games 0 2014 Goals 0

nuffsaid

Big Mitch would have made a massive difference this year... Still miss the big fella

In saying that I am happy with the direction of the club and improvement from the boys. no doubt there are some holes in the list and some disappointments this year but overall it's been encouraging.

Defence wins premierships or so I hear so no complaints form me

Mitch Clark 2014 Games 0 2014 Goals 0

Jesse Hogan 2014 Games 0 2014 Goals 0

nuffsaid

had them pecilled in for about 100 combined

Lower scoring is a competition wide trend. Thanks for the historical data. As others have said, we've benefitted from our focus on defence. Most of the guys down back have been pretty solid all year. Our conservative approach to attacking the goals is often frustrating to watch, but can't deny it's kept us in several games and allowed a couple of surprising comebacks. Sundays game was only the most recent example.

Our defence has done remarkably well. Last week, I recall the 'against' column being below 1000. Our defence is top 8 material; and we have done it without Frawley.

But our defensive figures are more amazing when you consider our D/E grade offence and turnovers with the ball.

Maybe our defence, on this year's figures, considering other factors, is actually top 4.

Credit to Roos, Dunn, McDonald, and the backline assistant coach...who is....? Maybe he should take over from Roos in 2 years.

Jade Rawlings, really rate him as a coach, however his apprenticeship hasn't been great... assistant under Wallace, assistant under Voss, assistant under Neeld...

"The last time we failed to kick a century during a season was 1953."

And does that mean that we will make GFs for the next 7 years straight? And finals for the next 11?

Bring it on !!!