“They get paid hundreds of thousands of dollars and can’t even kick straight,” Dad said as the Cats squandered another opportunity in front of goal against the GWS Giants, kicking one goal five behinds for the first quarter.
“That could cost us the match,” and ultimately it did, with Geelong losing the game to the Giants by just over two goals.
In stark contrast the Cats kicked 11 goals one behind up until half-time in their stunning round one win over reigning premier Hawthorn.
It’s pretty simple, good goal kicking creates scoreboard pressure and wins matches.
According to Champion Data, since 2011 triple premier Hawthorn has been the most accurate team for shots at goal. During that five-year period Geelong ranks equal fourth alongside Adelaide, with just over half of its attempts resulting in goals. So as Cats fans we can’t complain too much.
AFL COMPETITION SHOT AT GOAL ACCURACY:
(2011-2015)
TEAM PERCENTAGE (%)
1. Hawthorn 53.0
2. North Melbourne 51.0
3. West coast 50.7
4. Geelong 50.5% and Adelaide 50.5%
But, if like my Dad, you believe that despite the AFL becoming a highly paid professional league – goal kicking accuracy hasn’t improved. You’d be wrong.
If you surveyed a hundred die-hard footy fans and asked them if goal kicking had got better or worse over the past 50 years, the overwhelming majority would say “worse”. Surprisingly, it’s not the case.
When you look at the numbers, last season (2015) was one of the best on record for scoring shots resulting in goals in the past half-century with 50%.
GOAL KICKING AFL SEASON SHOT AT GOAL ACCURACY:
(Every player, every club 2011-2015)
YEAR PERCENTAGE (%)
2016 49.7 (After 2 rounds)
2015 50.0
2014 49.3
2013 49.7
2012 49.0
2011 48.6
2010 48.3
If you had to choose a Cats player to kick after the siren to win a grand final, you couldn’t go past the Tomahawk!
Since 2011, Tom Hawkins leads the way for the Cats, converting 58.1% of his shots at goal.
Mitch Duncan (55.1%), Jimmy Bartel (53.6%) and Skipper Joel Selwood (53.6%) are also right up there.
While, you might want the ball in someone else’s hands rather than Josh Caddy (46.5%), with more than half of his shots at goal missing.
But Caddy still has ex-Geelong premiership hero Steve Johnson covered with just (42.1%) of his shots going through the big sticks.
Former teammate James Kelly is among the least accurate (24%).
GEELONG CATS GOAL KICKING BEST ACCURACY:
(Geelong players 2011-2015)
PLAYER PERCENTAGE (%)
1. TOM HAWKINS 58.1
2. MITCH DUNCAN 55.1
3. JIMMY BARTEL 53.6
4. JOEL SELWOOD 53.6
As for why some of the best forwards in the competition still miss set shots from just 10 metres out directly in front of goal - that's simply inexcusable.
But Cats players might have an excuse at Simonds Stadium this year with the missing grand stands at the City end causing swirly winds. Hopefully, the Geelong boys will have a distinct advantage in front of goal – we’ll find out this weekend.
So let's hope the Cats have their kicking boots on against the Brisbane Lions and the ball finds itself in the big hands of the Tomahawk!
Go Cats!
Sean Sowerby
Channel 7 News Weekend Sports Presenter/Reporter
Proud Geelong FC Member
@SeanSowerby7
