FINALS COUNTDOWN: WHY YOUR TEAM HAS WHAT IT TAKES TO MAKE IT

Eleven still in with a chance

WITH just four rounds remaining this season the AFL eight remains a puzzle that even Pythagoras couldn’t solve.

Yet all 11 contenders have the capabilities of going all the way.

So with the considerable help of Champion Data, here are the reasons your team could hold that silver cup aloft at season’s end.

And, of course, with good comes the bad, meaning there is also the downside that requires improvement to win a premiership.

RICHMOND

Why they can win it: Have more overall strengths than any side. Or in golfing parlance, the Tigers have three “one-woods” in the bag — system, pressure and ball movement.

Concern: They rank 18th in clearance differential and since the 1999 season no premier has won with such a ranking.

WEST COAST

Why: The Eagles are offensively and defensively strong, ranking fourth for generating a score from an inside 50 and for conceding a score from an opposition inside 50.

Concern: The midfield and the loss of ruckman Nic Naitanui. The Eagles rank 18th for ground ball differential (no premier has ever ranked 18th).

COLLINGWOOD

Why: Because of the Magpies’ dominant midfield, they are ranking No.1 for disposal differential and clearance differential, and fourth for contested possession differential.

Concern: One-on-one defensively. Over the past four weeks, Collingwood has lost 38 per cent of one-onone contests in the defensive 50 — clearly the worst percentage.

PORT ADELAIDE

Why: Defensively strong, ranking No.1 for points conceded and second for conceding a score from an opposition inside 50.

Concern: The Power are struggling to score, averaging the fewest points of any top12 side, and ranking 13th for generating a score once inside 50.

GWS

Why: Since Round 11 the Giants’ midfield has been on fire, ranking No.1 for contested possession differential, clearance differential and scores from clearances.

Concern: Since the bye, the Giants have ranked 15th for pressure applied.

MELBOURNE

Why: They play a sustainable game, ranking No.1 for time in forward half differential, inside-50 differential, and turnovers created in the forward half.

Concern: Ranking 15th for conceding a score and a goal from an opposition inside 50.

HAWTHORN

Why: Defensively strong, having been the hardest team all season to move the ball against from the defensive 50 and halfback.

Concern: Their midfield, ranking 14th for contested possession differential and clearance differential.

GEELONG

Why: Since the Essendon loss, Geelong has lost the clearance count and the contested possession count just once.

Concern: The Cats have conceded 90 points per game over the past five weeks, compared with conceding 58 points per game between rounds four and 14.

SYDNEY

Why: If Buddy Franklin can get fit, the Swans have proven to be dangerous when going inside 50, ranking fourth for generating a goal once inside.

Concern: Can’t get the game played in their forward half, ranking 18th for time in forward-half differential since Round 15.

NORTH MELBOURNE

Why: In the past month the Kangaroos’ midfield has been dominant, ranking No.1 in the competition for both contested possession differential and clearance differential.

Concern: Their pressure has fallen away, ranking No.1 in the first 11 rounds, and ranking 15th since Round 12.

ESSENDON

Why: Their midfield has turned things around since Round 9, ranking No.1 for disposal and clearance differential, second for uncontested possession differential and third for inside-50 differential.

Concern: Left their run too late, rated only a 9 per cent chance of making finals.