After a partial start to the 2025 season, with just two games played in Opening Round, the year will officially feel underway with the first of many nine-game rounds to begin on Thursday night.
Key statistical categories often determine how well your club performs, and indicate which side is controlling the contest. Last week, Sydney's scores off turnover was their key metric to watch. The Swans scored just 23 points off turnover on Friday, 32 fewer points than their 2024 average, resulting in a fairly comfortable loss to the Hawks.
With nine blockbuster fixtures to continue the season, we'll delve into the key statistical category that needs to be mastered for each mouthwatering Round 1 clash.
West Coast vs Gold Coast
Scoring shots per inside 50 entry
This metric was a glaring issue for Gold Coast away from home last season, and was often the catalyst behind their woeful travelling record.
Gold Coast ranked 17th for scoring shots per inside 50 entry in 2024, with a rate of 40.3%, ahead of only North Melbourne.
The Suns were stunned by the Eagles in their latest encounter, losing by 10 points despite recording six more inside 50s. It was of course their inability to capitalise on these entries that cost the Suns a win against a lowly West Coast outfit, scoring from just 42.3% of their entries, while the Eagles scored from 47.8%.
If the Suns are to capitalise on their strong list in 2025, they'll have to ensure they are more efficient from their entries inside the forward arc this season. A winning start away from home, without Mac Andrew or Sam Flanders too, will lay a confident foundation on which to build upon.
