SANFLW By The Numbers

By ZAC MILBANK

Expect the unexpected when the 2022 SANFLW League kicks off on Friday night.

If last season was anything to go by, all indications are pointing to an incredibly even competition this year.

As much as 34 per cent of last season’s SANFLW matches were decided by less than a goal, which equated to 15 of the 44 games played.

This compares to just 14 per cent across the competition’s first four seasons or 17 of the 122 games played.

The fascinating set of numbers is just one of several highlighted by SANFL statistician Phil Herden and SANFL Historian David O’Hara in compiling a comprehensive 2022 SANFLW Stats Guide.

Perhaps it points to an impending change in another key statistic in that 87 per cent of teams leading at three-quarter time during SANFLW’s first four seasons end up winning the match.

Teams leading at quarter time (75 per cent) and half-time (83 per cent) may also feel a little more uncertain in 2022 if the improvement across the board continues to flourish.

Together with the 2022 SANFLW Stats Guide, a 2022 SANFLW Head-to-Head document and individual Season Summaries – dating back to SANFLW’s 2017 inception – have also been established.

All documents can be accessed below or in the Resources section, via the Inside SANFL sub-heading, on SANFL’s website.