With the all-important clash against Carlton coming up this Saturday at Spotless Stadium, we’ve delved into the stats that really matter.
Leon Cameron’s men have dominated the clearance count this season with the GIANTS ranked second in the AFL with 40 per game, on the other hand Bredan Bolton’s side rank fifteenth in the competition with 33.7 per game.
With the GIANTS the sixth best side for contested possession and the Blues the worst rated side in 2016, Carlton will be relying heavily on last year’s NAB Rising Star Patrick Cripps.
60 per cent of the East Fremantle product’s possessions are contested, ranking him fifth in the AFL.
The Blues are exceptional at holding onto the ball and disposing it by foot, but often utilise a backwards kick to an unmarked teammate before going forward.
Carlton are ranked fourth in the competition for uncontested marks in their defensive half.
Once they go forward of center they target their key forwards who are amongst the best in the completion for contested marks.
Phil Davis will have his hands full with Levi Casboult.
The 198cm power forward is ranked eight in the AFL for contested marks, with 27 so far in 2016 and has taken the sixth most marks inside 50 in the competition.
Carlton’s backline has vastly improved this season with their young defenders Jacob Weitering, Sam Docherty and former GIANT Lachie Plowman conceding just 90 points per-game; down from 107 last year.
The Blues back six will have a huge task on their hands with the GIANTS kicking a combined 39 goals in their last two wins over Carlton in 2015.
Jeremy Cameron starred in the two wins kicking five goals in the first, seven in the second.
With Cameron kicking four goals in his last four games he will be hungry to bag a haul before the bye.
The GIANTS will need to be precise with their delivery to Cameron and their forwards, with former Brisbane Lion Docherty ranked second in the competition for intercept marks.