They are widely used to measure a footballer’s worth at AFL level, but in recent seasons have become common right here in the Goulburn Valley.
The value of statistical data is constantly under question when it comes to a player’s individual value, but the system used by Premier Data is hard to contest.
Thirty different statistical categories are used to produce the weekly figure that sits at the far right of the stats sheet, which is a central component of weekly assessments by players and their coaches.
GVL RANKING POINTS SYSTEM
Three-pointers
The highest points allocation is 3.5 for contested marks, while intercept marks, clearances, effective kicks and effective tackles are all worth three points.
Two-pointers
Uncontested marks, rebound 50s, inside 50s, free kicks, blocks, smothers and tackles are all two points in the Premier Data system. An extra half point is allocated for a hit-out to advantage.
1.5-pointers
Hard ball gets and gather earn 1.5, while ineffective kicks and ineffective hand balls are both worth one point, as is a handball receive.
Negatives
A kick-in attracts a -1 score, which means an effective kick-in is worth two points. A fumble is -1, while a turnover is -3, out on the full -3 and free kick against -2.5.
Premier Data is fast gaining similar status to that of the AFL statistical tool, Champion Data.
The complex formula used by Premier Data shows there are four Kyabram players ranked in the top 50 in 2024: Liam Ogden (10th), Anthony Depasquale (17th), Jake Parkinson (36th) and co-coach Kaine Herbert (44th).
The next best is Mitchell Dodos (55th).
Because so many of the league’s leading players move freely between GVL and VFL ranks we have used total points as the indicator for this article, and not averages.
Shepparton has three of the top five players by ranking points players in the competition: Adam Decicco (first), Luke Smith (fourth) and Ash Holland (fifth).
Smith has played two fewer games than his teammates.
Echuca premiership star Jack McHale (ranked third) has played every game and second-ranked Seymour midfielder Nathan Beattie has missed one match.
Not surprisingly, these GVL stars own several of the season highs.
Holland’s 82-point quarter against Kyabram in round nine remains the best individual effort. He had eight disposals, five marks, 10 hit-outs, three clearances, two inside 50s, three tackles and a goal.
Beattie’s 117-point second half against Kyabram is another highlight of 2024. It included 23 disposals, four clearances, four tackles, one goal, three inside 50s and two rebound 50s.
Smith’s second quarter against Seymour saw him score 70 points with four clearances, three goals, a tackle, 12 disposals and three inside 50s.
Ranking points leader Decicco has had six 150-plus point games, including a pair of 180-plus point performances. He has nine quarters this year where he has scored 50 points or more, a mark considered a dominant quarter in Premier Data circles.
Mooroopna star Coby McCarthy (three 90-plus point halves this season), Euroa’s Will Hayes (141.1 point average in his eight games) and Echuca ruckman Kane Morris (71-point quarter in his 10-goal game against Shepparton United) are others to produce head-turning performances.
Morris kicked four goals in that quarter, had four hit-outs, five marks (two contested) and seven disposals.
Kyabram recruit Bailey Tome also deserves a mention for his 118-point first half against Rochester, which included 11 clearances, 18 disposals, eight tackles and four inside 50s.