Is it because some teams are just better? Or because they’re harder at the ball? Or because they get more of the ball?
read more New at ESPN: why do some teams get so many free kicks
free kicks
Who won the free kick race in 2016?
Over the course of the home and away season, the Bulldogs received 451 free kicks, while they gave away only 370. That left them with 81 net free kicks, the biggest differential of any team. The Kangaroos came in second with 67 net frees, with daylight third.
Do teams that win contested ball win more free kicks?
Yes, but the relationship is weak and noisy.
read more Do teams that win contested ball win more free kicks?
Joel Selwood has set a new AFL free kick record
No-one seems to have noticed that Joel Selwood claimed the AFL free kicks record last week
Bulldogs still in front on frees, but the gap’s closing
The Bulldogs are still in front on free kicks, but the Eagles are closing the gap
read more Bulldogs still in front on frees, but the gap’s closing
Free kick Bulldogs!
The 2016 Bulldogs have the largest free kick differential after seven games played of any team in the AFL era.
Down, down, free kicks are down
Which teams get all the free kicks?
We’ve established that West Coast gets an average of around 4 net free kicks when they play at home. But does this come about because the Eagles are given a lot more free kicks, or because they concede fewer frees to the opposition?
Home is where the free kicks are
Every fan, including me, thinks their team gets a rough deal from the umpires. But which team, on average, tends to get more free kicks?