The Victorian Football League (VFL) acts as an understudy to the elite AFL competition, but this currently works to benefit the ease in which stats are collected and applied.
Unlike the AFL, VFL statistics focus on the basics of the game. Quickly glancing at any VFL Record will give you a clear indication that emphasis is placed on footy fundamentals such as kicks, handballs marks and goals. There is no mention of time in forward half, pressure acts or metres gained.
The analysis surrounding VFL matches allows any fan or spectator to understand the events in a far more simple way. On the other hand, an AFL match report is likely to include more complex language such as: contested possessions, centre clearances and stoppage clearances. Plus, there is this:
“In the second half North Melbourne has averaged 71 metres gained per turnover in the wet conditions, in comparison with Fremantle averaging 48.”
I’ve been watching AFL my entire life and it took me 20 minutes to work out what that stat means.
The accessible manner in which the VFL is reported helps the game to be consumed by a broader audience. But, are things likely to remain this way? Let’s explore together.
Factors influencing and restricting VFL statistics
The focus placed on the basics of football at VFL level may be a result of the lack of resources for a semi-professional competition. As the AFL looks to invest time and money into the introduction of a national second division, the semi-professional notion may be challenged.
Should the AFL decide to go down this path a flow on effect will likely see better facilitation of broadcasting and statistics.
In fact, the VFL has already negotiated a partnership with Champion Data, an organisation responsible for providing up to minute statistics for elite sport in Australia. Unlike the AFL however, instant stats are only included in the one match per week which is broadcast on Channel 7. Statistics for the remainder of a week’s matches are released 24-48 hours after the final siren.
While VFL statistics are not provided in the instant manner that the AFL allows for, the competition is looking to increase the efficiency in coming years. As proficiency becomes a priority, so too will the breadth and depth of stats.
VFL statistical innovation in 2018
In 2018, the VFL has introduced a mobile and tablet application which allows for fans to gain a better understanding of a match’s events. Currently the app provides the basic stats around a day after the conclusion of a match.
You can see from the image below that only basic statistics are included: goals, behinds, disposals, kicks, handballs, marks, tackles and Dream Team points. AFL Victoria will look to implement more in-depth statistics such as contested possessions at the midway point of the season.
Anthony Stanguts, the Communications Officer for AFL Victoria, has been responsible for the growth of the competition over recent years. Stanguts played a big role in the introduction of the VFL app and also helped the weekly VFL record grow from a 16 page publication into its current form of around 64 pages per addition.
Stanguts is also a major contributor to AFL Victoria’s weekly podcasts. While Stanguts reviews VFL matches with the stats sheet in front of him, he is not blinded by the numbers and calls upon his “gut-feel” as well.
Stanguts talks about the general function of statistics being the same for both AFL and VFL, and the likely future of stats at VFL level in the podcast below:
Feature Image: AFL Sherrin football. Used with permission courtesy HappyWaldo via Wikimedia Commons. Opening and closing song: Happy Rock courtesy Ben Sound used with permission.
So what does the future of VFL stats look like?
As leaders and executives inside the AFL look to continually grow the competition, it won’t be long before greater funds are pumped into lower levels. This may lead to denser statistical analysis. In the meantime, we should savour the blissful ease in which we can consume the lower levels of Aussie Rules football.
Feature Image: Frankston vs Williamstown in a VFL matchup. Used with permission courtesy Brad Hill via Flickr
Podcast Transcript:
Opening Theme: Happy Rock by Ben Sound
*Ambient – voice of coach recorded at local footy training*
Matt Santini: It’s Friday May 25 and I’m currently at AFL Victoria’s headquarters in IKON Park. In today’s podcast we’re going to discuss the importance of statistics in the AFL. So how would this role change for say, the semi-professional Victorian Football League compared to the elite Australian Football League?
Anthony Stanguts: I think they’re exactly the same.
Santini: That’s the voice of Anthony Stanguts. Stanguts is in charge of AFL Victoria’s communications.
Stanguts: It’s exactly the same company that’s doing the stats. Especially with the alignments between AFL and VFL clubs; they’re all looking at the same data, it’s categorised the same way and I believe they’re using it in the same format as well.
*Ambient – AFL siren recorded at a match*
Santini: In recent years Stanguts has played a key role in promoting change in the VFL. Namely, he has been pivotal in introducing the VFL App for iPhone and Android which gives fans greater access.
Stanguts: With the popularity of Supercoach and AFL fantasy we’ve introduced them to our own app, the Dreamteam numbers because that’s what people are looking for. They’re looking for numbers, they’re looking for the next player. Not only is it judged on a 25 disposal game but it might be judged on the fantasy numbers as well. They might see that as someone getting 130 point fantasy game. So I think from that aspect it’s very popular with our fans and supporters.
Santini: There’s no doubting a shift in the mentality of fans who have a growing desire for in-depth analytics. But, is there a need for greater clarity as to what these stats actually mean?
Stanguts: We get questioned quite a bit in regards to all the definitions of our different stats. So, I think it has gone to another level. It comes back to when you’re looking at the stats; judging what is an effective kick and what’s an ineffective kick? I think moving forward we probably need to define a lot of the definitions and provide more information to our fans. At VFL level I don’t think we’re at that stage where we’re overanalysing yet, but obviously with the influence of the AFL I think that could be a pathway we’re on in the next few years.
Santini: So I guess we’re at that point where we are asking ourselves: what does the future of VFL stats look like?
Stanguts: In the VFL competition we’re looking at trying to get more immediate stats. At the moment it is club based, so clubs have volunteers that do their stats on match-day. We also have stats that are done through Champion Data similar to the AFL but they’re only done post-game on replays of the matches. So one of the aims of the competition is to have live game stats at every VFL game of a weekend.
Santini: That’s the full-time siren for first edition of the Flat-Track Stat Podcast. I’m Matt Santini, thanks for listening and don’t forget to share with your friends and family.
Closing Theme: Happy Rock by Ben Sound
Flat-Track Stat 