Rochester is the league leader in the GVL when it comes to pressuring opponents. Photo: Bruce Povey
In preparation for Rochester and Echuca’s highly anticipated rematch in the back half of round 16, we are breaking down the two sides’ key stats so far this season and how they stack up.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
Back in round five, the Tigers came away with an unexpected 11.9 (75) to 9.8 (62) victory over their historic rivals, shocking the Murray Bombers at Victoria Park.
In that game Rochester capitalised on a plus-seven advantage in the turnover count, sending nine goals sailing through the sticks directly from Echuca turnovers.
It’s not a trend that has translated to the side’s other games, with Echuca averaging 67.8 turnovers per game (it had 82 in round five), less than Rochy’s 71 per game.
The Tigers’ work rate off the ball is unmatched across the rest of the GVL, their 66.4 pressuring acts per game the most in the league, so they are used to forcing opponents into mistakes.
Echuca far outpaces Rochester in hit-outs. Photo: Aidan Briggs
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
Rochester has an overall pressure of 150.3, far ahead of Echuca’s 131.2, and the Tigers grab more intercept possessions than the Murray Bombers, 75.8 per game to 71.
Where Rochy has the advantage in the effort stats, Echuca consistently wins in the contest against its opponents.
The Murray Bombers are plus six in clearances compared to Rochy, earning the ball 45.5 times per game compared to the Tigers 39.5.
Echuca also has a huge advantage in hit-outs per game (63.8 to 41.5), and the Murray Bombers’ rucks are able to effectively direct them to advantage with regularity, 16.1 times per game compared to 7.1 for Rochy.
The teams are reasonably well-matched when it comes inside 50s, with Echuca averaging 52.7 and Rochester 50.7, but the Tigers are more effective at getting the ball out of the defensive zone, ahead by six when it comes to rebound 50s, 31.9 to 25.9.
Whether Rochy can again leverage its defensive pressure to force Echuca to misfire will prove key to which side can come away with a crucial win.
Should the Tigers prevail again it would be a major statement for their premiership credentials given any side hoping to take the title will likely require a win over the Murray Bombers in finals footy.
