Clearances

[swantastic]

Swans ranked number 1 How can that be, with our midfield.

[Goal Sneak]

I'm assuming that its because we have so many more stoppages than any other team, therefore, giving our midfield more chances than other teams to actually get a clearance. Same with hitouts.

[Mike_B]

More stoppages = more opportunities to win clearances. Maybe they need to look at a % of stoppages won rather than just a straight number.

[ScottH]

Or effective clearances.

[Jeffers1984]

Or effective clearances.

yep was just about to say. How many of those clearences were from Jude Bolton or Ablett just kicking the @@@@ out of the ball as a hit and hope?

[NMWBloods]

We win this stat nearly every year - percentage clearances won and effectiveness of clearances are rarely measured.

[hammo]

We win this stat nearly every year - percentage clearances won and effectiveness of clearances are rarely measured.

Yep, and that's why most commentators refer to us as the best clearance side in the comp

[ScottH]

Yep, and that's why most commentators refer to us as the best clearance side in the comp

"most expert commentators"

[DST]

Yep, and that's why most commentators refer to us as the best clearance side in the comp

I'll bite.

Commentators suggest that becuase we are very good (actaully the best) at making sure that our opposition don't get their hands on the ball first or use it to their advantage. So while it can be ugly by us and not always very effective the game plan resolves more around crontrolling what the other team can do with the football.

DST

[ScottH]

The probable the same commentators who have called us the most skilled team in recent years.

Being able to put the ball into space for a free man to run onto is different from pinpointing a pass to a man under pressure.