Social media was livid with the lopsided free kick count between the Hawks and Swans last night, but which side has actually received the most free kicks so far in 2016?
Hawthorn won the free kick count 15-9, which included several divisive free kicks, including two 50 metre penalties for Sydney players encroaching on the protected zone.
Sydney coach John Longmire was clearly frustrated at the 50 metre penalties post game.
"I don't know, ask the umpires," Longmire said when asked whether the interpretation of the rule had changed.
"I don't know, I really don't know to be honest.
"Obviously we were undisciplined because I don't think I've seen a differential like that for quite a while.
"I'll have to go back and we'll have to get better at our discipline clearly, because that's a big differential."
Hawthorn has currently received the most free kicks in 2016, with 333, however, the Hawks and Swans have played one extra game than the rest of the competition after they opened Round 17 last night.
West Coast receive the most free kicks per game, with 21.8, while Brisbane is second with 21.
Most free kicks per game in 2016:
Club | Free kicks For | |
---|---|---|
Total | Average | |
West Coast Eagles | 327 | 21.8 |
Brisbane Lions | 315 | 21 |
Collingwood | 314 | 20.9 |
Hawthorn* | 333 | 20.8 |
Western Bulldogs | 309 | 20.6 |
North Melbourne | 309 | 20.6 |
Geelong Cats | 303 | 20.2 |
Melbourne | 295 | 19.7 |
GWS Giants | 295 | 19.7 |
Sydney Swans* | 312 | 19.5 |
Port Adelaide | 290 | 19.3 |
Richmond | 289 | 19.3 |
Essendon | 287 | 19.1 |
Adelaide Crows | 285 | 19 |
Carlton | 283 | 18.9 |
Fremantle | 261 | 17.4 |
Gold Coast Suns | 250 | 16.7 |
St Kilda | 238 | 15.9 |
*Hawthorn and Sydney have both played 16 matches, while the rest of the competition have played 15.
Hawks v interstate sides – lost the count only once; no way this isn’t umpire bias!
Haw v WCE – 19 v 16
Haw v ADL – 23 v 19
Haw v GWS – 18 v 20
Haw v FRE – 26 v 19
Haw v SYD – 15 v 12
Haw v BL – 25 v 20
Haw v GC – 16 v 14
Haw v PA – 30 v 28
Haw v SYD – 15 v 9
Haw v GEEL – 28 v 24
Haw v WB – 21 v 25
Haw v STK – 20 v 16
Haw v RIC – 19 v 29
Haw v MEL – 19 v 21
Haw v ESS – 19 v 14
Haw v NM – 20 v 29
IT SHOULD OF BEEN FREE KICK WEST COAST FOR THE LAST 20 YEARS. BEYOND A JOKE IN PERTH YET THE DOCKERS GET THE OPPOSITE.
what if i told you that the hawks have also given away 320 frees which is third most
330 for and 320 against not what i would call a huge advantage