NEVER has more weight been placed on winning clearances.
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Debate is raging about the state of AFL footy and what can be done to fix to the dour, stoppage-based, keepings-off game which has transpired in 2020.
There's not really one fix. People have suggested umpires and rules have a role to play, others that more incentive can be offered in the form of more points for high-scoring teams.
What can be done to help AFL football reclaim the popular, free-flowing, high-scoring style is another argument.
Back to clearances. As the game stands, they've never been more valuable to a team. Not just centre bounce clearances, but breaking away from stoppages all over the ground.
The Power's ability to hit the scoreboard as a result of their clearance work is evident. They've slotted 50 goals, just three less than highest scorer Brisbane.
An interesting case study in this is North Melbourne. The Kangaroos lead the AFL on clearances but have well-documented issues when attacking forward of centre.
An inability to hit targets inside 50 from good positions is killing the Arden Street-based club.
The Kangaroos are currently wedged in 15th and have lost three-straight fixtures.
Compare them to Port Adelaide, who rank second overall for clearances.
Ken Hinkley's men had a slip up against Brisbane on Saturday night but have been in fine touch all season and are first as a result.
The Power's ability to hit the scoreboard as a result of their clearance work is evident. They've slotted 50 goals, just three less than highest scorer Brisbane.
Port Adelaide, unsurprisingly, also leads inside 50s with 257 while North Melbourne is ninth overall with 199. To be captain obvious, it suggests lowering the eyes inside 50 is vital to winning games of football.
Efficiency going forward - after winning the clearance - is just as, if not more crucial, than winning the clearance itself.
Does being clean with the footy win premierships?
The evidence would suggest yes.
North Melbourne prides itself on a bruising, tough style of play and that's all well and good, but if you're not clean enough to break down defences loaded with elite intercept marks, can you really press for a flag?
Probably not.
Guess who's last for clearances? Perennial battlers Melbourne.
The Demons have been disappointing again and have won 64 less stoppages than North Melbourne.
They're not much better for inside 50s - sitting 15th overall.
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