AFL WOMEN’S Rankings: Round 6 2022

Brisbane’s (relative) inaccuracy almost costs them again

A major upset was avoided on the weekend when the reigning AFLW premiers the Brisbane Lions just snuck home against St. Kilda by five points. The Lions dominated time in their forward half, with 42 inside 50s to 22 by the Saints, and 16 scoring shots to six. It was the second time this year that Brisbane almost cost itself a win through inaccuracy when kicking for goal, after squeaking home by two points against the Cats despite massive forward half dominance.

As a whole Brisbane has been relatively inaccurate in front of goal this season, ranking second last for points per scoring shot (see chart below). That said, as a whole the AFLW competition has been pretty inaccurate in front of goal this season. Only three teams (Richmond, Gold Coast and GWS) have 3.5 points or more per scoring shot this season – i.e. kicked at least as many goals as behinds.

With a bit more accuracy in front of goal the rankings would have Brisbane around the same mark as the Kangaroos, Adelaide, and Melbourne – which given their scoring shot, inside 50 and possession differentials so far in 2022 – is possibly a more accurate indication of where they are currently at.

The Dogs’ accuracy breaks the top six stranglehold

On the other hand, a major upset was caused on the weekend when the Western Bulldogs defeated reigning grand finalists and 2022 ladder leaders the Adelaide Crows by a point. In this case it was the Dogs’ accuracy that helped get them home – they had 10 less inside 50s and four less scoring shots, but kicked eight goals from those nine shots.

It was the first time that one of the six 2021 finalists (also the top six teams on the rankings) had been beaten by a team outside of that group since the 2020 finals. Even then it took some remarkable accuracy in front of goal to break that stranglehold.

Still the Dogs seemed to have stepped forward as the most likely team – other than perhaps the Suns – to challenge that group, with a one goal loss to the Dockers a couple of weeks back, and a match against GWS where inaccuracy arguably cost them the win. Of the top six only Collingwood really looks vulnerable, but there might at least be a bit of a fight for that last finals spot.