Quantium data analysis: Round 4, numbers to get ahead of the pack

G’day AFL supercoaches.  As outlined previously, the player ownership stats on the AFL Supercoach site are misleading.  To make better decisions, it is helpful to cut the ownership of each player by ranking zone.

I’m fortunate enough to run a data analytics business so I’ve put my skills to work to calculate the actual ownership of each player. 

The tables below set out the proportion of teams in the top 500, top 1,000, top 5,000, top 10,000, top 20,000, top 50,000 and top 100,000 that own each player by position.   

Without further ado, let’s get into this week’s data.

BREAK AWAY FROM THE PACK with Quantium, Australia’s premier data science and artificial intelligence company. Create your own career power play and join the team today. Visit our website for more information. CEO Adam Druissi is a contributor to SC Playbook.

Defence

It appears Nick Daicos is the secret to SuperCoach success!

The cheapies are all pretty stock standard amongst most teams. I’m sure everyone is hoping for a Charlie Constable return sooner rather than later!

Expect Jordan Dawson’s ownership to rise off the back of his 173 last week and 152 last night. If you don’t own him, it’s safe to say you’ll be slipping down the rankings.

Not owning Will Day however could be your get out of jail free pass, with 38% of the top 1000 having to deal with a two-week suspension from the young Hawk.

A meniscus injury to Sam Docherty will see his ownership plummet, and many coaches may opt for a straight-swap replacement with the likes of Jake Lloyd, Mason Redman, or even Bailey Dale all proving to be capable scorers this season.

Midfield

It’s no surprise to see Will Ashcroft owned by nearly every single coach in the competition.

Clayton Oliver is the best player in the game right now with an average of 131, so it’s understandable why his ownership in the top 5000 is much higher than it is in the top 100,000 as a whole.

Just 11% of the top 500 own Rory Laird, but after his 135 last night, I would expect that number to change.

Many coaches have had enough of Finn Callaghan, and it appears that a downgrade to Will Phillips was the most favourable option.

With potential DPP additions on the horizon, keep an eye on the ownership of Christian Petracca, Bailey Smith, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, and Lachie Whitfield.

Ruck

Pretty standard here; if you don’t own Tim English, you’re falling behind.

Rowan Marshall is an extremely popular pick but he’s only tonned up once this year! With such a large ownership and such a low output, perhaps you could look elsewhere to rocket up the rankings?

After a slow start to the year, Sean Darcy has come out firing in the last two weeks with a 132 and 125. I wouldn’t be surprised if many have the VC on him this week as he comes up against a ruckless Gold Coast outfit. He could be the key to success for the small percent of coaches who own him.

As a solo ruck, Brodie Grundy has been sensational with a 143 and 144 in his last two games, hence why his ownership within the upper echelon is so high. With Max Gawn listed as just 1-2 weeks away though, Grundy’s time in the sun could be cut short.

Forward

Again, it’s no surprise seeing Harry Sheezel top the ownership charts. In his first four games of AFL footy, he’s yet to drop below 111. I don’t think we’ve seen a better debut SuperCoach season since Michael Barlow!

Many wouldn’t have expected Cogs to have as such a slow start as he has, but he still has the midfield role so the high scoring is right around the corner.

Kade Chandler’s rapid cash generation is rewarding owners.

With Jacob van Rooyen keeping his spot and looking like the best option on the bubble, his ownership will surely skyrocket.

Captains

A lot of owners would have been happy with Clayton Oliver’s demolition of the Eagles.

But, judging by the large percentage in the “Other” row *cough* Nic Maddern *cough*, a VC on Nick Daicos for his 151 against the Lions was the flavour of the weekend.