Lowest Team Av Contested Possessions per game - Highest Team Av Contested Possessions per game /

Lowest Team Av Contested Marks per game - Highest Team Av Contested Marks per game

2000: 48.5 - 61.7 / 14.5 - 21.2

2001: 37.9 - 47.1 / 11.9 - 16.3

2002: 35.7 - 47.3 / 10.7 - 15.3

2003: 38.4 - 48.5 / 10.4 - 16.9

2004: 36.8 - 46.5 / 9.5 - 12.7

2005: 30.6 - 42.0 / 8.4 - 12.7

2006: 26.3 - 35.6 / 6.6 - 10.2

Source:

http://www.pro-stats.com.au/psw/web/team_r...ts=TA&sr=15

I knew they'd be lessened over recent years, but not that much. Jeez it sucks that contested marking is becoming out-of-vogue with the rules men.

However, I live in hope that within the next ten or so years the powers that be are able to build a culture through astute umpiring and clever rule changes that brings back the physicality to footy. They were able to completely change the way the game is played from the mid-nineties to now, I'm sure the process can be reversed if and when they realise their folly.

Unfortunately though, as you pointed out, the rule changes are still heading in the wrong direction. The one big change for this year is certainly not helping the cause.

Not only rule changes but also possession style footy (dinking it round in the back line / keepings off in the dying minutes of the game /quarter etc) coupled with flooding (IMO akin to time wasting).

Game plan, skills, endurance - 'gut running', and leadership have never been more important.

Contested possessions are as important as ever, but mainly at stop plays, such as ball ups, boundary throw ins, and the centre square. The reason we see less contested possessions per game is that once the initial clearance has taken place the team in possession starts blocking and creating space and the defensive team in that piece of play either mans up or starts a defensive zone. There's not the contests that we used to see all over the ground, but more a chess board with set plays.

Games are won in the midfield and the pressure to win the stoppages has never been greater.

Game plan, skills, endurance - 'gut running', and leadership have never been more important.

Contested possessions are as important as ever, but mainly at stop plays, such as ball ups, boundary throw ins, and the centre square. The reason we see less contested possessions per game is that once the initial clearance has taken place the team in possession starts blocking and creating space and the defensive team in that piece of play either mans up or starts a defensive zone. There's not the contests that we used to see all over the ground, but more a chess board with set plays.

Games are won in the midfield and the pressure to win the stoppages has never been greater.

Bingo Flea, never have you been more correct.

The contested football game is indeed won at the stoppages, Centre Square, Ball Up's and Throw In's. I Would then argue then that a decent 200cm plus ruckman is a necessary part of the pie.

Bingo Flea, never have you been more correct.

The contested football game is indeed won at the stoppages, Centre Square, Ball Up's and Throw In's. I Would then argue then that a decent 200cm plus ruckman is a necessary part of the pie.

2006 GF - Judd 11 contested possessions, Kirk 10.

The contested football game is indeed won at the stoppages, Centre Square, Ball Up's and Throw In's. I Would then argue then that a decent 200cm plus ruckman is a necessary part of the pie.

A decent ruckman (not mandatory 200 plus. How many are 200cm plus and decent?) would be advantageous but Hannibal's right that the broader midfield is critical in this day and age.

Old's stats while trending down over the seven year period for contested possessions in % terms actually reduces at a quicker rate in the past three years than the previous four reinforcing where the game is heading to at present.