If Benalla’s round-four contest against Kyabram was Chris Welsh’s best game of the season, the mercurial midfielder went one further last Saturday.
The sports desk at the News has delved into Welsh’s influence on the Saints’ midfield on more than one occasion this year, but his numbers continue to impress week in, week out, and Saturday was no different.
He hit the 40-disposal mark for the first time this year, taking his performance to another level in almost all other aspects of the game.
With GVL Data at our disposal, let’s break down exactly how he impacted the game on Saturday.
Going at 67 per cent efficiency by foot and 85 per cent efficiency by hand, Welsh knew he had a big job to do in the Saints’ midfield, which lacked the experience and composure of Will and James Martiniello.
He chalked up an equal game-high 18 contested possessions, 12 handball receives and 14 groundball gets.
Welsh’s 18 contested, and 22 uncontested possessions, are also on par with his best performances in these areas this year.
Twelve handball receives, 14 groundball gets, eight clearances and 10 inside-50s rounded out as complete a midfield performance as you could ask for.
At a glance
Chris Welsh v Kyabram, round 16
Disposals: 40
Contested possessions: 18
Uncontested possessions: 22
Marks: 10
Handball receives: 12
Groundball gets: 14
Clearances: 8
Inside 50s: 10
It comes as no surprise that Welsh is among the league leaders across multiple categories.
He ranks fourth in the league for clearances per game with 8.5, while cruising in at sixth for disposals per game with 29.5.
Welsh leads the league for inside 50s per game (6.1) and slides in at number four for average contested possessions (13.6).
With playing-coach Will Martiniello ruled out for the remainder of the season, Benalla will need Welsh to continue to go about his work at the coal face if they hope to remain competitive in their final two games.