Here are some of the key statistics from our first 11 games of the season in our weekly ‘By The Numbers’ feature, presented by Deakin’s Centre for Sport Research.

Contested Possessions Hold The Key

Geelong has won six of its last seven games and during that stretch has a contested possession differential of +27 per game.

In comparison during the first four rounds Geelong’s differential was -5 per game.

It’s been a key area for the Cats and in this instance the statistics don't lie. When Geelong has won the contested possession count they hold an 8-1 record this season.

Individual Standout: Skipper Joel Selwood is the leader in this area for the Cats averaging 12 per game.

Special Mention: Reigning Carji Greeves Medallist Cam Guthrie also excels in this area averaging 11 per game alongside Patrick Dangerfield.

Unheralded Cat: Quinton Narkle is another who’s shown his strength in the contest with 8.2 contested possessions per game, stepping up to fill an important role in Geelong’s midfield in recent weeks.

Pressure Points

An area that Geelong has increased its output in year-on-year is the tackles they are applying inside attacking 50. The Cats currently rank third (11.5 per game) alongside the Western Bulldogs in this area this year, after finishing 2020 ranked fifth (9.5 per game) amongst all clubs.

Individual Standout: Small forward Brad Close is ranked second in the competition for average tackles inside 50 per game (1.8) for players that’ve played a minimum of five games.

Special Mention: Tom Hawkins isn’t far behind with his average of 1.6 ranking him seventh overall. However, his total tackles inside 50 have him sitting equal third alongside Essendon’s Will Snelling with 18 for the season.

Overall Pressure King: Brandan Parfitt sets the example for the Cats leading the club for both pressure acts (214) and tied for most tackles with Selwood on 57.

Dominant Individual Aerial Display

Individual Standout: Tom Hawkins is ranked number one in the competition for marks on the lead and third behind Harry McKay and Aaron Naughton for total marks inside 50.

Special Mention: At the other end of the ground Tom Stewart has been strong aerially with his 90 marks placing him fifth amongst all defenders in the competition this season. He’s also ranked 12th for intercept marks with 2.5 per game.

Unheralded Cat: Jake Kolodjashnij is another Cat who’s performed well in the air during his eight games this season averaging 6.4 marks per game. When he’s not marking it, he is bringing it to ground or clearing danger averaging more spoils (5 per game) than any other Cat this season.

Tomahawk

We’ve mentioned Geelong’s big forward in some of the categories already, but he deserves a category just for himself.

As media pundits within the industry start sharing their All-Australian teams at the mid-way mark of this season, here’s an important reminder that sometimes you need to delve a little deeper than the goal tally.

We all know that statistics don’t tell the full story, but these ones are pretty convincing. Tom Hawkins is the best attacking allrounder in the game and his influence inside 50 is unrivalled.

1st – Total Marks On The Lead (33)
1st – Total Forward 50 Ground Ball Gets (33)
3rd – Total Marks Inside 50 (41)
= 3rd – Total Score Involvements (90)
= 3rd – Total Tackles Inside 50 (18)
= 5th – Total Goal Assists (13)
11th – Total Goals (25)